Some huge results across our three senior women’s competitions as the 2024 season continues to take shape.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
An eagerly anticipated matchup between the two combatants in last year’s Division 2 decider ended with Heidelberg prevailing by 11 points over St Mary’s on Friday night at Heidelberg Park. The Tigers led at each quarter break, with a two-goal to one third term breaking the game open enough for the home side finish 5.2 (32) to 3.3 (21) winners. Emily Baldi and Amelie Gilchrist were superb in Heidelberg’s return to the winners list while Emma Rowe kicked two majors. Charlotte Karafilis made it three straight weeks in the best for the Burra with another terrific display.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 produced a comfortable 65-point victory over West Preston-Lakeside in their clash at J.E. Moore Park. The Creekers only led by 16 points at the main break, scoring just two goals from seven scoring shots, before piling on seven majors in the second half while keeping the Roosters goalless in the 9.12 (66) to 0.1 (1) triumph. It was another brilliant effort from Karly Cobern that helped the visitors claim the four points while Linda Thorp booted another three goals. Chloe Kalanj was a standout for the hosts.
Last year’s Division 1 Grand Final re-match delivered in spades, as Banyule held on to claim a narrow four-point victory over Montmorency at Beverely Road Oval. You can read the full match report by clicking here.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
Diamond Creek Women’s 2 produced their first win of the 2024 season after defeating Wallan by 34 points at Greenhill Reserve. The Creekers slowly built their way into the match and created 11 scoring shots in the second half on their way to a 4.12 (36) to 0.2 (2) triumph away from home. Stefanie Memos was excellent for the visitors, finishing as her side’s best player while also kicking one of four goals her team produced for the afternoon. Meanwhile Nicole Evans impressed for the Magpies.
Darebin 2 claimed their biggest win of this year’s campaign to date after a 95-point victory over Heidelberg West at A.H. Capp Reserve. The Falcons dominated from the first bounce, with a seven goal to nil opening half paving the way for an excellent 16.12 (102) to 1.7 (13) win. The home side had 11 individual goalkickers with Mei Griffin and Lola Munday kicking three majors each; Griffin finished as the side’s best for the match. Hawks captain Crystal Grech was a solid contributor for her team.
It was a bounce back win for Lower Plenty on Sunday, who finished 16-point victors over Greensborough at Montmorency Park South Oval. The Boro held a slight advantage at quarter time before the Bears had the answers for the rest of the match, leading from the second term onwards to win 5.11 (41) to 2.8 (20). Michaela Molenberg starred in her first match for the club, leading the way for the winning side alongside Emily Temple. Ari Gosden and Georgia Phelan were terrific for Greensborough.
Ivanhoe also bounced back from defeat last week to produce a strong performance over Mernda, prevailing by 51 points at Ivanhoe Park. You can read the full match report by clicking here.
Whittlesea made it two straight wins after starting the season with two straight losses, this time defeating Montmorency 2 by 38 points at Montmorency Park North Oval. Inaccuracy hurt the Eagles from producing a bigger score than the 5.16 (46) to 1.2 (8) result, but were particularly impressive after the main break, keeping the Magpies to just three scoring shots for the match. Ashley Fitzpatrick continued her great form with another best on ground performance, while Monique Migotto stood out for the hosts.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
Thomastown have now won three straight games to prevail by 58 points over North Heidelberg at Shelley Street Reserve. The Bears had two three-goal quarters in their 9.6 (60) to 0.2 (2) victory, keeping the Bulldogs scoreless after half time. The visitors were led by Tianah Te’o who was difficult to contain for her North Heidelberg opponents, going on to be one of her side’s seven individual goalkickers. Thomastown captain Monica Bradford was also strong while Meg Harper had a great game for the Bulldogs.
Panton Hill put together an outstanding performance on Sunday, comfortably defeating Laurimar by 83 points at A.E. Cracknell Reserve. The Redbacks kicked at least two goals in every term in the 12.11 (83) to 0.0 (0) triumph, making it three wins in four matches for the new senior women’s side. Bridie Groves took her season goalkicking tally to eight after a season-high five majors, while Georgina Banfield was also superb for the hosts. Stephanie Crook did all she could for the Power.
Hurstbridge opened their account for the 2024 campaign following a narrow 13-point win over Epping at Ben Frilay Oval. The game was in the balance for the entire afternoon but the Bridges’ only goal for the game proved to be enough in the 1.7 (13) to 0.0 (0) result. Chloe Topperwien and Kristy Steven were two players from the home side that played key role in the victory while Cindy Turnbull continued to standout for the Blues.
It’s now four wins from four games for the Fitzroy Stars, this time defeating South Morang by 48 points at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. The Stars limited the Lions to just two scoring shots while producing 15 of their own on their way to a powerful 8.7 (55) to 1.1 (7) victory. Natarsha Bamblett was outstanding for the away side and finished with four goals for the afternoon. Leah Seeto was another that was great for the Stars while South Morang’s best efforts were led by Hayley Ball.
