Lower Plenty booked their place in the 2024 Cleaning Melbourne Division 2 women’s first semi-final after a dominant 89-point victory over a gallant Thomastown outfit at Epping Recreational Reserve.
The Bears of Lower Plenty were able to stay in control of the match from start to finish, with seven goals in the opening half, before six majors in the final term cemented a strong 16.9 (105) to 2.4 (16) triumph.
They now face the Fitzroy Stars in next week’s first semi-final at the same venue in what looks to be a terrific contest.
Although Thomastown’s season came to an end on Sunday, their outstanding inaugural season can’t be understated, having been promoted to Division 2 after only four matches, before securing a finals spot with a 6-4 record.
The stars of Lower Plenty shone brightest on the day, with Shae Audley, Ava Klaic and Bree Unthank dominant in midfield and Jordan Henry excellent in defence once again.
Milla Fereday and Amelia Mullane led the way up forward with a combined total of nine goals, as the pair were brilliantly clinical in front of the big sticks.
Michaela Molenberg was also one of the stronger contributors at in her role at centre half forward and not only finished with three majors, but also ensured her teammates were always in the action with her hard work and consistent efforts to win the football.
Still missing multiple key players, Thomastown were unable to be as steady as their Sunday opponents. Star midfielders in Brooke Gibson and Tianah Te’o were two shining lights for their side, with Gibson one of two goalkickers on the day for the Bears.
Chiara Nardo also did her best to provide some spark for her side, particularly when moved into the forward half, capping off a fantastic 2024 campaign for the 19-year-old.
It was Audley and Unthank who looked to set the tone for Lower Plenty from the outset, each playing roles in the first goal of the final, which came through Mullane at the four-minute mark.
Mullane would kick another major 10 minutes later, with her side’s efficiency by hand and their quick transitional work from defence to attack putting Thomastown on the backfoot.
The floodgates threatened to open up late in the quarter when a five-minute patch saw both Fereday and Molenberg find the big sticks to help Lower Plenty extend their advantage to 26 points at quarter time.
Looking to swing the momentum their way, Thomastown lifted their work rate and intensity to start the second quarter, which reaped the rewards almost immediately as Brooke Gibson fired home a great major to open her side’s account.
But Stewart Lewis’ side was able to answer the challenges coming their way with three majors in the last 12 minutes of the opening half, which included more goals for the likes of Fereday and Molenberg, to push the lead out to 38 points at the main break.
The third quarter saw Lower Plenty continue to dominate proceedings, locking the ball inside their attacking half to register all but one of the 10 scoring shots produced in the term.
Despite some valiant defensive efforts from Thomastown in their back half, they were unable to stop their opposition from hitting the scoreboard, as the three-quarter time break saw the margin grow to 61 points in Lower Plenty’s favour.
Three more goals inside the opening six minutes of the final term would ensure they claimed their first ever finals victory in the senior women’s competition.
Thomastown would manage a second major for the game during the last quarter, with Sierra Te’o kicking her fourth major of the season.
But Lower Plenty would have the last say of the afternoon, kicking three more goals to surpass the 100-point mark for the third time this season on their way to an 89-point triumph.
