Sides continued to build momentum ahead of finals as the NFNL senior women’s competition returned to action yesterday afternoon.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
On Girls Celebration Day at Eltham Central Park, Montmorency 1 secured the double chance with a 74-point victory over Eltham. The Panthers lead by one point at quarter time before the Magpies got on top in the second, kicking six goals straight to 1.4 to lead by 25 points at the main break. Bronson Hill’s side then kicked another nine goals to just one in the second half to secure the 17.4 (106) to 4.8 (32) win. Kasey Lennox kicked five and was exceptional in the win alongside Molly McErlain and Lani Ward. Ashleigh Snow and Abbey Vaughan were solid for the Panthers, with Snow one of four goalkickers for the home side.
Diamond Creek Women’s 2 solidified their spot on the table with a 111-point win over Ivanhoe at Ivanhoe Park. Angelo Lamanna’s side kicked nine goals to nil in the opening half to lead by 60 points at the main break. They then kicked another 10 goals in the second half to Ivanhoe’s two, with scores settling on 19.11 (125) to 2.2 (14). Linda Thorp kicked nine goals to increase her season tally to 37 goals while Lauren Durante added six to her 2025 tally. Durante and Thorp were two of the Creekers best alongside Ashlee Elward and Karly Cobern while Geraldine Lee and Sophie Bone fought their heart out for the Ivies.
The closest game in Division 1 took place at Telfer Reserve where St Mary’s claimed a 28-point win over Banyule. Troy Bickerton’s side got off to a fast start, kicking four goals to one in the opening term, before the Bears kicked two goals to nil in the second to reduce their deficit to nine at the main break. St Mary’s held firm in the second half, kicking six goals to three to win 10.5 (65) to 6.1 (37). Emmison Zealley and Jessica Fitzpatrick were yet again terrific for the Burra while Megan Girolami led the way in attack for the Burra with three goals. Sienna Gunning kicked three for the Bears who were well led by Gunning, Rebekah Watson and Tannah Hurst.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
Darebin 1 confirmed their finals spot with a 97-point victory over Panton Hill at A.E. Cracknell Reserve. The Falcons kicked six unanswered goals in the first before adding another three in the second to lead by 60 points at the main break. They then kicked five goals to just one behind in the second half to take home the win 14.14 (98) to 0.1 (1). Nikita Magriplis kicked four goals while Julia McArdle was stellar in the win alongside Sophie Goffin. Gemma Harrison continued her solid season for the Redbacks alongside Bianca Walker.
Kilmore made it three wins in a row with a 51-point triumph over South Morang at JJ Clancy Reserve. Andy Stewart’s team kicked three goals in the opening quarter before adding another goal in the second to lead by 32 points at half time. Kilmore then kicked another four goals to one in the final two quarters to win 8.11 (59) to 1.2 (8). Chiara Nardo kicked five goals whilst Chloe Talbot kicked three for the Two Blues. Kasey Marsden and Tahlia Pyle both had terrific games while Jessica Hyde and Devony Hoare were two of the better players for the Lions.
Lower Plenty secured a 118-point victory over Hurstbridge to move closer to a minor premiership. The Bears kicked five goals to one in the opening quarter before a four goal to one second saw them lead by 48 points at the main break. Stewart Lewis’ team then put their foot to the pedal in the second half, kicking 11 goals to one in that period to secure the 20.18 (138) to 3.2 (20) triumph. Hayley Brown kicked five and was one of the best for the Bears alongside Ava Klaic. Melissa Martini had another serviceable performance for the Bridges alongside Caitlyn Kennedy.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
Thomastown kept their finals hopes alive with a five-point victory over second-placed Whittlesea at Main Street Recreation Reserve. The Eagles kicked the only goal of the opening term before the Bears kicked two goals to nil in the second quarter to lead by one straight kick at the main break. After Whittlesea kicked the only goal of the third quarter and held the Bears scoreless, Thomastown returned the favour in the last to win 3.5 (23) to 2.6 (18). Rechelle McSwain had another terrific performance alongside Ruby Pantisano for the Bears while Ashley Fitzpatrick continued her exceptional season for the Eagles alongside Harper McPherson-Goulding and Leah O’Dell.
Heidelberg West jumped into the top five with a 66-point win over Reservoir at Heidelberg Park. After kicking the only goal of the opening quarter, the Hawks kicked four goals to one in the second term to take a 29-point lead into half time. They then kicked another five goals to no score in the second half to win 10.13 (73) to 1.1 (7). Chloe Rowan and Olivia Antonello were yet again exceptional for the Hawks alongside Alanah Moore. For the Mustangs Giuseppina Tarantello and Brigid Howell both continued their solid seasons.
Montmorency 2 booked their finals ticket with a 39-point triumph over Darebin 2 at Montmorency Park North Oval. The Magpies kicked off the game with a three-goal opening term before extending their 20-point quarter time lead to 24 points at the main break. They then kicked the only goal of the second half, finishing on 4.15 (39) whilst keeping the Falcons scoreless. Olivia Nesci continued her stellar season in the victory and was well supported by Shelby Coall and Bridie Groves. Krysytna Edwards and Maria Quadrino were both solid for the Falcons.
North Heidelberg sealed the minor premiership in Division 3 with a 50-point win over Diamond Creek Women’s 2 at Shelley Street Reserve. Shannon Bevis’ team kicked four goals in the opening quarter before a three goal second term saw them lead by 43 points at the main break. The home side then kicked just the one goal in the second half enroute to an 8.3 (51) to 0.1 (1) win at home. Teresa Cassar kicked another four goals whilst Meg and Louisa Harper were both brilliant again alongside Remy Moore. For the Creekers Bentley Butler and Imogen Hammond both continued their excellent seasons in the loss which sees them slip out of the top five.
Macleod returned to the winners list with a 91-point victory over Laurimar at De Winton Park. The Roos started off the contest by kicking five goals in the opening term, adding two in the second quarter to lead by 52 points after the opening half. Another five goals were kicked by Joel Steindl’s side in the second half which saw them finish on 12.19 (91) to Laurimar 0.0 (0). Ally Gunstone led the way in attack with three goals while Brieanna Musgrave had another stellar performance alongside Kayla North. Stephanie Crook, Keira Widgery and Emma Taylor yet again fought their heart out for the Power.
Wallan made it two wins from their past three games with a 12-point triumph over Epping at Greenhill Reserve. In a scrappy first half the Magpies had the only two scoring shots in that period, resulting in them lead by seven points at the main break. The hosts then kicked two goals to nil in the third quarter before Epping kicked the only goal in the last, finishing on 1.2 (8) to Wallan’s 3.2 (20). Melanie Hope kicked two of the Magpies three goals while Lily Borg, who kicked the other goal, was yet again superb alongside Shannyn Powel and Chelse Paton. Tarsja Hooper and Michaela Barr, who was the Blues only goalkicker, were two of the better players for the Blues.
