Plenty of statements were made from sides across all three divisions in last weekend’s NFNL senior women’s action.
WINNING EDGE DIVISION 1 WOMEN’S
The incredible run of Diamond Creek Women’s 1 came to an end on Sunday after West Preston-Lakeside 1 claimed a famous 14-point win at Plenty Park Oval. The Roosters’ five goal to one first term put the Creekers on the backfoot from the outset and despite being kept scoreless in the final term, the visitors recorded a 9.7 (61) to 7.5 (47) victory. Heidi Woodley and Talia Pulcino combined well up forward with five majors between them while Ashleigh Snow again was brilliant. Lauren Durante was one of the Creekers’ best for the afternoon.
Darebin 1 quickly re-joined the top four with a 40-point win over VU Western Spurs at Henry Turner Reserve. The Falcons kept the Spurs to just one behind for the entire second half as well as kicking eight goals of their own throughout the match to prevail 8.5 (53) to 2.1 (13) winners. Chloe Williams moved to fifth on the goalkicking list with a three-goal haul while Dallas Rowland and Julia Phung were excellent. Aleisha Casley did all she could up forward for the home side.
Montmorency 1 proved too strong for Heidelberg 1, thumping the Tigers by 88 points at Montmorency Park North Oval. The Magpies kicked at least two goals in each term, including eight in the first half, to cruise to a 13.11 (89) to 0.1 (1) victory. The home side had seven individual goalkickers, five of those posting multiple goals with Jemma Laffey leading the way with three majors. Jessica Nursey was another outstanding contributor for Montmorency while for Heidelberg, Mia Tascone was of the more impressive performers.
Greensborough dominated from start to finish to produce a 56-point win over Lower Plenty-Bundoora. You can read the full match report by clicking here.
SG PRINT & PAPER DIVISION 2 WOMEN’S
Eltham regained top spot on the ladder after a polarising 116-point win over Diamond Creek Women’s 2 at Eltham Central Park. The Panthers registered an astounding 41 scoring shots while keeping the Creekers scoreless for the entire match to run out 15.26 (116) to 0.0 (0) victors. Alannah Murray and Jacki White continued their great 2022 campaigns with another dominant performance for the Panthers while Sienna Gunning also contributed well throughout the contest.
St Mary’s posted their biggest score and biggest winning margin in their battle with Darebin 2, prevailing by 123 points at Whatmough Park. Following their heartbreaking three-point defeat to Eltham last week, the Burra responded in brilliant fashion, with a 13 goal second half putting 20.16 (136) to 2.1 (13) result beyond any doubt. Sarah Johnston was the star up forward booting seven majors while Megan Girolami slotted home five goals. Elyssa Rees was best on for the home side while Ruby Cray had another great effort.
In the closest game of the week, Banyule led at all three changes to just sneak home over the Fitzroy Stars by six points at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. When these sides met three weeks earlier, it was the Stars that prevailed with the one straight goal victory, but on this occasion, the Bears held their own to record a 4.6 (30) to 3.6 (24) triumph. Rebekah Di Paola continued her excellent goalkicking form with three majors for the Bears while Renae McKeown was yet again superb for the Stars
Whittlesea regained their spot in the top four following a comfortable 93-point triumph over Montmorency 2 at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. Kicking at least three goals in each term while keeping the Magpies scoreless after quarter time, the Eagles were relentless in the 13.21 (99) to 1.0 (6) win. Abbie Barnes opened her 2022 goalkicking account with four majors Tiana Markey was again one of the best on the ground, also pitching in with three majors. Chelsea Pearson was at her best again for Montmorency.
CLEANING MELBOURNE DIVISION 3 WOMEN’S
Hurstbridge were quick to get back to winning ways, making a big statement in their 62-point victory over West Preston-Lakeside 2. Following an agonising one-point defeat to Mernda last week, the Bridges piled on eight goals to one after half time to secure the 12.9 (81) to 3.1 (19) win. Belinda Harris and Rebecca Hayes kicked four majors each while in another outstanding performance, Melissa Martini booted three goals. Helena Katsios again played well.
In a tightly contested battle at Laurimar Reserve, Laurimar snapped a three-game losing streak to scrape over the line by six points against Wallan. In a low scoring affair, the Power’s seven-point gap at three quarter time proved to be enough breathing room to claim the 2.2 (14) to 1.2 (8) victory, just their second of the season. Tess Keogh and Alicia Pangbourne played key roles in the win while for the Magpies, Kristy Nunn was one of the standouts.
Unfortunately, Heidelberg 2 were unable to field a side and thus forfeited their scheduled match with Mernda.
