Only four teams remain undefeated in the NFNL Women’s Competition as the grading period came to an end on Sunday.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
Heidelberg made it back-to-back victories with a 70-point triumph over Lower Plenty at Montmorency Park South Oval. After trailing by a point at quarter time the Tigers ran rampant in the final three quarters, kicking 11 goals and conceding just seven points in the 13.12 (90) to 3.2 (20) win. Emma Rowe made it 13 goals in the opening four rounds of the season with a five-goal haul while Danika Spamer excelled in her first game of 2025. Lower Plenty duo Ava Klaic and Sophia Howse were two of the better performers for the Bears in the loss while Milla Fereday kicked two goals.
At Beverley Road Oval Banyule registered its first win of the season with a 120-point win over Darebin 1. The Bears conceded just the one behind and kicked nine goals in each half on the way to an 18.13 (121) to 0.1 (1) victory over the Falcons. Olivia Mincone kicked seven of the 18 Banyule goals while Megan Barnes and Mikalee Maroney were also stellar in the victory. Portia Greenacre was a shining light for the Falcons in their fourth defeat of the season.
In a top of the table clash, St Mary’s made a statement with a 50-point victory over Montmorency 1 at Telfer Reserve. It was a tight first half, with only 14 points separating the Burra and Magpies at the main break, before Troy Bickerton’s side pulled away with a six-goal to one second half as they claimed the 9.12 (66) to 2.4 (16) over Montmorency. Emmison Zealley’s stellar start to the season continued while Meg Girolami was key in attack with a four-goal performance. Molly Bell was one of the better performers on the day for the Magpies.
A similar result took place at Eltham Central Park as Diamond Creek Women’s 1 returned to the winners list with a 63-point win over Eltham. Angelo Lamanna’s side were consistent throughout the four quarters, kicking 13.14 (92) and keeping the Panthers to 4.5 (29) at Panther Place. Linda Thorp led the way in attack with five goals while the Creekers had a wide spread of contributors, including Adele Coppola, who kicked three goals, Tiana McClain and Heidi Gifford. Emily Wunderlich was Eltham’s only multiple goal scorer with two.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
West Preston-Lakeside continued its undefeated start to the season with a 108-point win at J.E. Moore Park over Greensborough. Paul Tilley’s team kept the Borough to just three behinds after quarter time whilst they kicked 14 goals themselves in the 17.15 (117) to 1.3 (9) win at home. Isabel Young was superb in attack with six goals while Elisha Folino chipped in with four and Tallia Pulcino kicked three. Ashleigh Snow was sublime in midfield alongside Molly McErlain, with Victoria Lawrence resilient in defeat for the Borough.
Ivanhoe had the closest win of the Division yesterday, triumphing by eight points against South Morang at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. The Ivies kicked four goals and kept South Morang scoreless in the first term before the Lions came roaring back with a three goal second term. Ian Callahan’s side then kept South Morang at arm’s length for the remainder of the contest to secure the 6.4 (40) to 5.2 (32) win on the road. Both the Lions and Ivies were well led by Ruby Faillia while Ivanhoe duo Sophie Bone and Georgia Pirdis kicked two goals each.
Diamond Creek Women’s 2 made it consecutive wins after they defeated Thomastown by 65 points at Main Street Recreation Reserve. After leading by 19 points at half time the Creekers kept Thomastown to just three scoring shots in the second half whilst they kicked eight goals in that period to secure a 12.12 (84) to 2.7 (19) win. Imogen Hammond was the pick of the bunch for the Creekers, kicking five goals on the day. Poppy Strickland also performed well on the day while Thomastown captain Cara Mazarella was also solid.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
North Heidelberg returned to the winners list in convincing fashion with a 62-point victory over Montmorency 2 at Shelly Street Reserve. The Bulldogs kept Montmorency scoreless in the first half whilst they kicked eight goals themselves, adding a further two goals in the second half to secure the 10.7 (67) to 0.5 (5) triumph. Bulldogs captain Teresa Cassar kicked five of their 10 goals and was well supported in midfield by Remy Moore who was one of five goalkickers for the hosts. Olivia Nesci performed admirably on the day for the Magpies.
A fast-finishing Whittlesea claimed its second victory of 2025 over Heidelberg West by 13 points at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. Despite leading by 14 points at half time the Eagles concede that lead by three quarter time. However they kicked two goals and kept the Hawks scoreless in the final term (as they had done in the opening half) to win 4.4 (28) to 2.3 (15). It was exclusively single goalkickers for the match while Ashley Fitzpatrick and Crystal Grech were exceptional for their respective sides.
An even closer game took place at Crispe Park as Reservoir made it consecutive wins against Darebin 2. Trailing at both quarter time and half time, the Mustangs kicked two goals and kept the Falcons scoreless in the third time before they hung up for the 2.6 (18) to 2.3 (15) victory by full time. Sally Clark, Katharina Wittman and Natalie Bozzi were some of the top performers for the hosts while Raechel Murray fought hard all day for Darebin.
Macleod claimed its biggest win since entering the women’s competition with a 58-point triumph over Laurimar at De Winton Park. The Roos kept a side scoreless for the first time and could’ve won by a lot more having kicked 7.16 (58). Alice Terranova, Teneisha Fiore and Ally Gunstone were stellar in the win, with Gunstone kicking two goals alongside Mia Jackson.
Hurstbridge continued its undefeated start to the year with a 51-point win over the previously undefeated Wallan at Greenhill Reserve. The Bridges kept the hosts scoreless whilst they kicked 7.9 (51) themselves to secure their biggest victory of season 2025 to date. Chloe Topperwein, Lauren Watson and Ruby Butterfield were yet again key to the win. Butterfield kicked two goals alongside Rebecca Hayes while Hannah Paton and Kelly Lennox were gallant in defeat.
Kilmore were the biggest winners of the weekend yet again, defeating Epping by 112 points at Epping Recreational Reserve. It’s the second 100+ point victory for the Two Blues since joining the women’s competition, kicking 17.16 (118) and conceding just 1.0 (6) yesterday afternoon. Chloe Talbot kicked a season-high seven goals and was one of the stars for Andy Stewart’s side alongside Jenaya Stewart, Chiara Nardo, Shenae Reeves and Tahlia Pyle.
