The 2023 NFNL senior women’s competition got underway yesterday with teams new and old kicking off the season with a victory.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
In the highly anticipated Division 1 women’s Grand Final re-match, Darebin 1 held on to claim a thrilling two-point victory over Diamond Creek Women’s 1 at Plenty Park Oval. The Creekers had more scoring shots, but they couldn’t convert those opportunities into goals, kicking 2.7 after quarter time while the Falcons kicked 3.4 in the same period to run out 4.4 (28) to 3.8 (26) victors. All seven goals in the match were scored by individual goalkickers, with Claire Hardi and Kate Moorhen standing out for the Falcons, while Isabella Dixon and Chiara Nardo were impressive for the home side.
Montmorency 1 had a dominant start to their 2023 campaign, comfortably defeating Greensborough by 77 points out at Greensborough War Memorial Park. The Magpies registered 28 scoring shots and could’ve stretched the final margin out to more had they have been more accurate, but regardless, still produced a brilliant 10.18 (78) to 0.1 (1) triumph. There were eight individual goal scorers for the visitors with Nicole Blythe and Jessica Nursey leading the way with two majors each while Izzy Shaw also played a terrific game. Emmison Zealley and Elsie Clifford were some of the Boro’s better contributors.
Eltham had a perfect start to their return to Division 1 women’s football in 2023, producing a 35-point win over West Preston-Lakeside 1 at Eltham Central Park. Just three points separated the two sides at half time before a seven goal to two second half split the game open in the Panthers’ favour and they never looked back to record a 10.14 (74) to 5.9 (39) victory. After kicking 22 majors last season, Kate Cardamone picked up where she left off with three goals while Michaela Molenberg had a brilliant match, also going up forward to kick a goal. Isabel Young was a key contributor for the Roosters in the defeat.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
Meeting for the first time since their entertaining elimination final in last year’s Division 2 women’s finals series, Whittlesea took home the four points after a 22-point win over the Fitzroy Stars at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. The Stars will be rueing their missed opportunities on goal, kicking 2.9 as they fell short to the Eagles 6.7 (43) to 2.9 (21). After kicking five goals in five games last season, Jade Ventura kicked five majors for the afternoon in a terrific display with Tahlia Brander also impressive. Jacintha Tass was the only multiple goal kicker for the home side with two majors.
An excellent four quarter effort from Banyule saw them defeat Hurstbridge by 91 points at A.K Lines Reserve. The Bears kept the Bridges scoreless throughout the entire match, with an eight goal first half establishing their 12.19 (91) to 0.0 (0) victory. The home side had seven individual goal scorers with Chloe Sheean leading the way with three goals with Bridgette Taylor-Gray, on her Bears debut, standing out. Ruby Moore and Belinda Harris were named in the best for Hurstbridge.
With one side representing the club in 2023, Heidelberg produced a strong statement with a 95-point triumph over Darebin 2 at A.H. Capp Reserve. The Tigers dominated from start to finish, kicking 10 goals to one in the opening half to take home the 15.11 (101) to 1.0 (6) victory. Emma Rowe was a force inside 50, producing an equal senior career high of seven majors, last achieving the feat in 2019. She was one of eight individual goal scorers for the club. Ruby Cray was the Falcons’ best for the afternoon.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
In what was a historic day for the club, Heidelberg West took home the four points in their first ever senior women’s match, defeating Laurimar by 30 points at Laurimar Reserve. The scoreline could have been much greater after the Hawks registered 3.12, but they did keep the Power scoreless throughout the match to claim a well-deserved victory. Fiona Sheehan and Crystal Grech stood out for the visitors in a terrific display, while Jacquetta Jackson was named as Laurimar’s best.
North Heidelberg couldn’t match the Hawks’ feats in their first senior women’s game, going down to Wallan to the tune of 57 points at Wallan Recreational Reserve. The Magpies kicked their highest score since the second round of grading last year, while the Bulldogs were unable to register a score in the 8.9 (57) to 0.0 (0) result. Kia Montgomery stood out inside 50 with three majors while Teagan Sheldon was influential around the ground. Teresa Cassar was one the Bulldogs’ best for the afternoon.
As they look to go one better from their Grand Final defeat from 2022, Mernda got their 2023 campaign off on the right track with a comfortable 79-point win over Montmorency 2 at Montmorency Park North Oval. The Demons piled nine goals in the first half while keeping the Magpies to no score as last year’s minor premiers finished with a 12.7 (79) to 0.0 (0) win. Emily Bell kicked two goals while last year’s league best and fairest Gulia Ceravolo was brilliant again in midfield. Sarah Chambers and Grace Robinson were great contributors for the home side.
