Blues edge past Monders, Nodders secure finals berth

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VAFA Wilson Women’s Report by Nicole Erasmus

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER WOMEN’S

Four unanswered goals in the first quarter helped Marcellin defeat Caulfield Grammarians by 69 points at Glenhuntly Oval. 19 scoring shots to five paved the way for the third-placed Sheagles and ultimately secured them a finals berth. Conversely, the loss means the Fields will need to beat Fitzroy-ACU this weekend and rely on Old Trinity losing to Old Xaverians if they want to feature post-regular season. Tessa Zagontinos was particularly impressive for the Sheagles with four of their 11 goals, while Alexandra Fisher was best for the Fields.

SKOB Saints remain front-runners after an impressive 93-point win over Melbourne University (1) at TH King Oval. A big first half of seven goals to one set up the Saints for their 12th win of the season. Last week’s Anytime Fitness Rising Star nominee Sarah Cameron was once again the main destroyer in front of goal with four majors for the Saints and Georgie Lupson added three. Isobell Roberts kicked the only goal for the Mugars and was named their best player alongside Anna Traill.

A low-scoring affair saw Brunswick Renegades take the points against Old Trinity with an eight to two-point victory at Alec Gillon Oval. The Renegades kicked the first, only and match winning goal in the opening quarter, while their opponents were left goalless in the harsh, wintery conditions. Emily Taylor produced a BOG performance and kicked Brunswick’s goal, while Ruby Anderson impressed for the T’s for the second time in her past three matches. A win would have secured the T’s a finals berth but they will now have defeat Old Xaverians this weekend to ensure their place in the four.

Fitzroy-ACU (1) secured their 11th win of the season, defeating Old Xaverians by nine points at Xavier College on Sunday. A competitive contest of five goals to four saw the Roy girls edge over the line and retain their second position on the ladder and what should eventuate to a double chance. Gabby Golds starred for Xavs and Sarah Henderson top-scored with two goals.

WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT DIVISION 1

St Mary’s Salesian continues to pose as a Division 1 threat after they secured a 23-point win over Old Geelong at Como Park. After an even first half, the second-placed Saints shot out in the second half with three goals to one and recorded their 12th victory. Meg Boyd was St Mary’s best, while Jessica Brotchie impressed for Old Geelong.

Monash Blues came from 13 points at the half time break and ran over Ormond in a one-point thriller at EE Gunn Reserve. Three goals to one in the third therm gave the Blues a four-point lead heading into the last and they held on as the Monders kicked four behinds to their one in an enthralling final term. Ella Stephenson was best afield for the second week in a row for the Blues, while Jaimee Monk continued her impressive form for the Monders.

Beaumaris climbed from fifth spot on the ladder into third after stunning the top-of-the-table West Brunswick by 28 points at Peterson Street Reserve. The Sharks left their opponent goalless until the third quarter while also building a respectable score and lead of 5.7 themselves. Alana Gadsby shone for the victors, while Evelyn Burry was the best player for West Brunswick. It was the Westie Women’s second loss from the past three games as they hold onto top spot by percentage only.

Two goals from Sophie Grant helped Old Brighton to a 28 to 11-point win over Old Haileybury at Brighton Beach Oval. The home side led throughout the entirety of the match and kept Old Haileybury to just one major, which was kicked in the final term. Evelyn Turek continued her strong form for the Tonners, while Taylah Vines-Chapple fought valiantly for the Hearts.

WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT DIVISION 2

Collegians secured second spot in Development Division 2 after they defeated SBMT/St Peter’s by 32 points at Centenary Park East. A slow start against the wind saw Collegians trail by seven points after the first quarter, but strong final three terms and two goals from Lucy Cutts surged the Lions to their ninth win. Alison West starred and was named best afield for the Lions, while Briony Lewis continued her outstanding form for the Tigers.

Old Camberwell further reaffirmed their dominance after a massive 149-point win over Yarra Old Grammarians at Gordon Barnard Reserve. A combined 14 goals from Eloise Defina (4), Rhiannon Green (3), Ashley Sturrock (3), Stephanie Defina (2) and Katherine Bithavas (2) contributed to the monster win, with the Wellers sharing the spoils via 13 individual goal kickers. Georgia Hatton was strong for the Bushrabgers yet again but it wasn’t enough as they struggled to stem the flow of goals at the other end. Old Camberwell are well and truly the team to beat as they sit two games clear at the top of the table.

Ivanhoe recorded their seventh win for the season after defeating UHS-VU by 25 points at Ivanhoe Park. A fast start of four goals to one set up the Ivanhoe girls for victory and they gradually built on their lead for the remainder of the game. Rachel Mclean was Ivanhoe’s best, while Alice Wilson O’Neill shone for the Vultures. The Vultures will be without star midfielder Mara McSweeney for the remainder of the season after she injured her ACL two weeks ago, so we wish her all the best I her recovery.

A combined seven goals from Meg Hermann (4) and Tarryn Jeffery (3) helped Old Carey to a 64 to 35-point win over Oakleigh at Carey Sports Complex. The Panthers were unrelenting in the first half and led by as much as 40 points at the main break, before the Krushers hit back with five goals to three in the final two terms. Madeleine Webster’s red-hot form continued for the Panthers as she dominated in a best-on-ground display, while Jade Farrugia impressed for the Krushers.

WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT DIVISION 3

Mazenod secured finals in Development Division 2 after they proved far too strong for Therry Penola, running out 59-point winners on Sunday. 22 scoring shots to three gives an indication of the dominance exercised by the Nodders as they piled on nine goals to one. A combined four goals from Madison Little (2) and Kimberley Watson (2) played a leading hand in the Nodders’ seventh win for the season, while Debra Loughnan found plenty of the ball for the Lions.

Melbourne Uni (2) made it three wins in a row after they narrowly defeated Hampton Rovers by five points at McAlister Oval. Leading by two goals at the last break, the Mugars went scoreless in the fourth but managed to hold the Rovers to just 1.1 and come away with the win. Olivia Turnbull was best on ground for the Mugars as they finish the year in startling form.

Three unanswered goals in the second half helped Old Mentonians to a surprise 18-point win over the top-of-the-table Ajax at Keysborough Playing Fields. Trailing by one point at the main break, the Panthers turned it on and were led by Hannah Stuart and Madeleine De Amicis who each kicked two goals. Elyse Cherny was Ajax’s best and she too snagged two majors.

WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT DIVISION 4

 Spectators of Lindsay Hassett Oval were treated to a South Melbourne Districts and Hawthorn AFC tie, with a final score of eight points apiece. An inseparable contest reflected their positions of first and second on the ladder and fittingly saw the first half go in the way of South Melbourne and the second in favour of Hawthorn. Rachel Urquhart scored South Melbourne’s only goal, while Eleisha Lilley kicked Hawthorn’s.

Fitzroy-ACU (2) was left goalless in a 33 to four-point Canterbury win at Canterbury Sportsground. The Canterbury girls proved too good for the visitors with four goals to none shared between four individual goal kickers. Rita Azzopardi impressed for Canterbury, while Katie Hillier was the Roy girl’s best.

Division 4 was treated to yet another draw between third-placed SKOB Saints (2) and fourth-placed Swinburne University at Basil Street Reserve. SKOB shot out to a 13-point lead at the half time break, before Swinburne hit back with 2.7 to just one straight goal in the second half. Stephanie Augustes top-scored with two goals for the Saints, while Brianna Murphy secured her fifth straight BOG performance for Swinburne.

A low-scoring contest at Alec Gillon Oval saw Bulleen Templestowe edge out Brunswick Renegades (2) by five points. With a final score of 15 to 10 and a scoreless first quarter, Bulleen Templestowe led after every ensuing break to take home the win. Danielle Polkinghorne was Bulleen’s best, while Emily Pritchard was a standout for the Renegades.

Two goals from Sally Fyfield helped De La Salle to a 38-point victory over St Mary’s Salesian (2) at Jordon Reserve. De La maintained touch with the top four as they kicked four unanswered goals in the first half and a further two to one in the second. Tayla Weltner joined Fyfield as De La’s best, while Lucy Turnbull kicked the Saints’ only goal.