The second of four grading rounds in the NFNL Women’s competition was completed at the weekend, with teams beginning to find their feet.
VU Western Spurs 2 backed up their opening-round performance with another great win, defeating Heidelberg 7.11 (53) to 2.4 (16) in front of a big crowd at Warringal Park on Anzac Day. After taking just a five-point lead into quarter-time, the Spurs found their rhythm after the first change to kick six of the next seven goals. Sarah Carland was named best afield for a second consecutive week and Brittany Salt was also impressive for the Spurs. Emily Merry and Emma Rowe were the Tigers’ best.
VU Western Spurs 3 produced back-to-back away wins, this week defeating Montmorency 5.5 (35) to 0.2 (2) at Montmorency Park. The Spurs kicked the opening two goals of the match and took a handy 15-point lead into the main break. They built on this position in the second half to run out 33-point winners. Lydia Thompson and Breanna Keath led the way for the Spurs, while Jacinta Ganino was the game’s only multiple goal kicker. Jordan Schultz and Taeana Wootton-Tasker were highlights for the Magpies.
Diamond Creek Women’s 2 bounced back from their loss last week with a 7.12 (54) to 0.1 (1) victory over Mernda. The Creekers snapped the first goal of the match as the rain drizzled down to take a six-point lead into quarter time. A solid second quarter by the Creekers saw them convert three goals, giving them a confidence-boost that they carried for the rest of the match. Brooke Linton found lots of the ball and also hit the scoreboard with two goals, while Kathryn Burns provided plenty of rebound out of the back half. Courtney Corr and Teneisha Fiore battled hard for Mernda.
Reservoir recorded its first win in women’s football, overcoming Hurstbridge 5.12 (42) to 3.7 (25) at Ben Frilay Oval. Stevie Hare backed up her fantastic performance from the Round 1 loss to Wallan with three goals, while Aimee Mccartney and Caitlyn Marmo were great alongside her for the Mustangs. Belinda Harris and Rebecca Hayes were gallant for Hurstbridge, who showed great improvement from their Round 1 defeat.
South Morang defeated Greensborough 5.14 (44) to 2.2 (14) at Greensborough War Memorial Park for its second win of the season. Jumping out the blocks, the Lions locked the ball in their forward line to produce a 3.10 to 0.0 opening half. Kyla Parry hit the scoreboard for the Boro in both the third term and fourth terms, but the Lions proved to be impossible to catch, running away 30-point winners. Demi Hallett and Sarah Tarrant were fantastic for the Lions, while Sally Rogers was great for the Boro.
Darebin Falcons 1 grabbed their first win of the season with a 10.7 (67) to 1.3 (9) victory over reigning Division 2 premiers West Preston-Lakeside, who are yet to secure a win. The Falcons kicked four unanswered goals in the first half to take a 28-point lead into the main break. The Falcons continued to impress in the second half, adding a further six goals to take the four points from J.E. Moore Park. Lisa Di Camillo, Cassandra Pittard and Alice Caddy each kicked two goals for the Falcons, while Rechelle Mcswain was the best performing Rooster.
Darebin 2 made it two wins from two starts with a 6.4 (40) to 0.0 (0) victory over Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve. After taking just an eight-point lead into quarter-time, the Falcons stepped up their game in the second quarter, kicking four goals and taking an unassailable 34-point lead into half-time. Alexandra Cashion was strong around the contest and Nikita Magriplis kicked two goals for a second-consecutive week.
VU Western Spurs 1 ensured a clean sweep for all three Spurs teams with a 5.7 (37) to 1.4 (10) victory over Montmorency 1 at Montmorency Park. The Spurs came out firing with three opening-quarter goals to secure a 17-point quarter time lead. The Magpies managed to hold the Spurs goalless in the second term, while kicking a goal of their own to stay within touching distance and trailed by just 14 points at half-time. The Spurs responded in the second half with two unanswered goals that put the game out of the Magpies’ reach. Stephanie Holland and Belinda Huynh led the way for the Spurs, while Sarah Townsend and Ashleigh Bayes were gallant for the Magpies.
After defeating reigning Division 2 premiers West Preston-Lakeside in Round 1, Diamond Creek Women’s 1 defeated two-time defending Division 1 champions Bendigo 9.8 (62) to 1.0 (6) in Round 2 to get their season off to a flying start. The Creekers began the match at Plenty Park in superb fashion, kicking four opening quarter goals to set-up the win. Despite managing to wrestle back some of the momentum in the second and third quarters, the Thunder were unable to close down the Creekers, who eventually finished the match on a high-note with four final-term goals. Karly Cobern was brilliant for the Creekers, while Stacey Cross was great once again with three goals. Bendigo captain Ayrlea Bailey-McClanahan led from the front yet again with another fantastic performance, while Bianca Jones fought hard alongside her.
St Mary’s added their name to the winners’ list for the first time this season with a 6.14 (50) to 1.4 (10) victory over Wallan at Wallan Recreational Reserve. The fast-starting Burra hit the scoreboard hard in the first term to take a 25-point lead into quarter time. The Burra managed only five behinds in the second quarter, whereas the Magpies made the most of their opportunity and put the ball through the big sticks to trailed by 23 points at the main break. Another inaccurate half by the Burra saw them add 2.6 to their tally, but as they locked the ball in their forward half, the Magpies were unable to make them pay for the rest of the match. Amy Mitchener and Emily Bannan played pivotal roles for the Burra ,while Larissa Sahyoune and Madison Reesor tried hard for the Magpies.
Bundoora unveiled its 2018 Division 3 premiership flag and continued its unbeaten record in women’s football with a convincing 7.10 (52) to 0.1 (1) win over Eltham at Yulong Reserve, in a rematch of last year’s grand final. The Bulls overcame a slow start in the opening half where the Panthers hung tough to be within eight points at the main break. The Bulls eventually split the game open with a six-goal second half. Chloe Moorcroft kicked three goals, while Antonietta Parisi found plenty of the ball for the Bulls. Alannah Murray was the best performing Panther for a second-consecutive week.
