As we reach the halfway point of the 2022 home and away season, the weekend saw many of the best teams produce commanding performances.
Winning Edge Division 1 Women’s
Greensborough made it three wins in a row after prevailing by 17 points over a gallant Heidelberg 1 outfit at Greensborough War Memorial Park. The Borough only kicked two majors in the first three terms but were able to keep the Tigers to just one behind during the same period of time, to create enough of a gap to produce a 3.6 (24) to 1.1 (7) triumph. Lanarose Picioane made it four consecutive weeks where she’s scored at least one major while also being the best on the ground for the home side. Emily Rowe had another trying performance for the Tigers.
West Preston-Lakeside 1 flexed their muscles with a dominant 84-point win over VU Western Spurs at J.E. Moore Park. The Roosters piled on 13 goals while keeping the Spurs to just two behinds to record a commanding 13.8 (86) to 0.2 (2) victory. Isabelle Conroy and Ashlee Marston kicked seven majors between them in the win that saw their side keep in touching distance with the top of the table Creekers. Natalie Pearce was the standout for the visitors.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 bounced back from defeat last week to claim a 20-point victory over Montmorency 1 at Plenty Park Oval. Inaccurate kicking cost the Creekers from winning by a further margin, with their ability to shut out the Magpies for the first three quarters also impressive in their 5.9 (39) to 3.1 (19) win. The home side had five individual goalkickers for their five goals while Kaitlin Smith played her best game of the year. Nicole Blythe was solid for Montmorency while Jemma Laffey kicked two last quarter goals to continue her good goal scoring form.
Lower-Plenty Bundoora forfeited their match with Darebin 1.
SG Print & Paper Division 2 Women’s
Banyule have made it four consecutive wins in the competition after comfortably defeating Diamond Creek Women’s 2 by 72 points at Plenty Park Oval. The Bears were inaccurate in the 9.18 (72) to 0.0 (0) result but were in control for the entire match to claim their seventh win of the season. Shkita Tihema-Jones kicked a season high four goals while Rebekah Di Paola had another strong contribution inside 50 with three majors for the visitors. Heidi Cummins and Nicole Furnari were also impressive for Banyule while Chloe Smith did all she could for the Creekers.
St Mary’s keep in touch with the top two following a 25-point triumph over the Fitzroy Stars at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. At 12-point half time lead quickly turned into a 24 three quarter time lead as the Burra steadied to win 6.6 (42) to 2.5 (17). Off the back of kicking seven majors last week, Sarah Johnston picked up where she left off, slotting home another four goals while Jessica Hardy had another standout performance for the visitors. Leah Seeto and Renae McKeown were some of the better players for the Stars.
Eltham remain on top of the ladder following a 38-point victory over Whittlesea at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. A four goal to one first term opened up the match for the Panthers who never looked out of place to claim a 5.9 (39) to 0.1 (1) win. Alannah Murray continued her excellent run of form with another best on ground performance for the visitors with Bonnie McDonald also having an impact on the result. Tiana Markey was again gallant for the Eagles.
Montmorency 2 forfeited their match with Darebin 2.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 3 Women’s
Laurimar made it two ins in a row after defeating Heidelberg 2 by 13 points at Warringal Park. In the standalone Friday night clash of the round, the Power looked to be in control throughout the match but could’ve put the result beyond doubt if it wasn’t for their wayward kicking, finishing 2.10 (22) to 1.3 (9). Jessica O’Keefe and Tess Keogh were great contributors for the Power while Holly Stevenson continues to be a positive each week for the Tigers.
In difficult conditions, Mernda held on to grab a three-point win over West Preston-Lakeside 2 at J.E. Moore Park. It was a low scoring affair between both sides, with no goals scored but plenty of great efforts made as the visitors managed to sneak home with a 0.3 (3) to 0.0 (0) victory. Strong efforts from Giulia Ceravolo and Natalie Todaro ensured Mernda remain on top of the table at the halfway mark of the season while Rachel Scully was superb for the Roosters.
A two goal to nil final term sewed up an important win for Hurstbridge in their clash with Wallan and Wallan Recreational Reserve. It was just seven points the difference at three quarter time but the Bridges were able to break through in the final term to claim a 3.4 (22) to 0.1 (1) triumph. Belinda Harris and Rebecca Hayes were some of the best for the visitors while Amy Crowden continues to be a standout for the Magpies.
