Ivanhoe bounced back from defeat last week to produce a strong performance over Mernda in their Cleaning Melbourne Division 2 Women’s clash, prevailing by 51 points at Ivanhoe Park.
The Ivies were the stronger of the two sides throughout the afternoon, keeping the Demons goalless and ending their unbeaten run in the 7.13 (55) to 0.4 (4) victory.
Co-captain Molly Uwland was a major standout for the home team, kicking a season-high three goals and leading by example through the midfield.
Zoe Doyle was another strong competitor for the Ivies, with her superb ruck work allowing the hosts to dominate in the clearances. She has now finished in her side’s best in three of four matches in 2024.
Rhiannon Campbell also played a role in her side’s winning efforts during the game, as while she didn’t kick any goals, she took some fantastic marks inside forward 50.
For the Demons, Brianne Keogh was impressive, keeping the pressure on the Ivies through the middle and defensive half. She continued her great start to the season with another solid performance.
Meanwhile Teneisha Fiore’s class was on display for the visitors alongside Samantha Bice.
The first quarter was spent in Ivanhoe’s forward 50 for the majority of the term, however they only managed one major from multiple scoring shots for their efforts.
Mernda’s pressure was intense, but the Ivies were able to come over the top of them, with Anna Williams and Olivia Fogarty particularly shining.
Keogh was strong through the middle, taking some brilliant defensive marks and working hard to keep the Demons in the game, with Janelle Bertoni also a standout for the visitors.
Mernda raised their intensity in the second quarter, with some strong passages of play creating repeat entries inside 50.
Laila Zayat led the charge with her pressure and was involved in many of the Demons’ drives forward.
Similar to their opponents in the first quarter however, they could only muster behinds for the term, allowing Ivanhoe to continue to put on scoreboard pressure with a further two goals.
Georgia Pirdis was back in terrific form after missing last week’s game, kicking both her side’s majors for the term after taking some brilliant marks inside 50.
With a 21-point advantage intact at half time, the Ivies were the team to turn up the pressure as the third term commenced, keeping Mernda scoreless as a result.
The game was played predominantly in the hosts’ forward 50, and the tone of the quarter was set early by a magnificent Taylor Secomb around-the-body goal.
Captain Uwland started to excel in this term, not only through her ability to produce constant pressure on her opponents but also by hitting the scoreboard.
With a 37-point lead at three quarter time, the final term saw Ivanhoe maintain possession.
Uwland capped off another outstanding afternoon by adding two further goals to her tally while Tayla Callahan turned up the defensive pressure when the ball entered Mernda’s forward 50, gaining significant metres to get the ball back into her team’s attacking half.
Keogh continued to be strong for her side, doing all she could to prevent further Ivies foray’s forward.
But Ivanhoe maintained the rage to return to the winners list with a comfortable 51-point triumph.
Photo supplied by Glenn Farrington
