OMs kick away from Bloods, CYs cement top spot

Meg Saultry

Whitefriars remain firmly in the top four with a dominant 41-point dismissal of Bulleen Templestowe at Ted Ajani Reserve. Bulleen was kept scoreless across the game, as Whitefriars excelled both defensively and offensively, continuing to extend its lead by a straight kick every quarter, before running over Bulleen with three goals in the final term. Whitefriars’ Eilish Boyd was the only multiple goal scorer for the day with two majors, teammate Clare Fernandes was named best afield and Ilaria Akers produced another impressive performance in an already consistent season so far. Whitefriars remains third on the ladder after the round, with Bulleen sitting seventh.

Old Melburnians’ 10 goals were too great a challenge for Aquinas to chase down with the home side undone by 50 points at Aquinas College on Saturday. The Old Melburnians pressed from the beginning, pulling out to a 28-point lead at half time and while Aquinas lifted defensively in the third term to quell Old Melburnians’ dominance, the visitors found their groove again to finish the game strong. Sophie Fraser was a force for the Melburnians with her four goals while Monique Tarrant was at her best after missing the past two rounds. Old Melburnians sit in second, one win behind competition leaders Williamstown while Aquinas linger just outside the top four in fifth position.

Old Ivanhoe held off a fast finishing Oakleigh, scoring a six-point victory in front of a home crowd at Chelsworth Park. After a dominant third quarter by Old Ivanhoe, Oakleigh needed to close a 19-point lead, but fell short by one major before the final siren sounded. Sarah Foley kicked two goals for the Hoers, continuing her form in front of goal this season. Jasmine Ballestrin’s two-goal performance was the best of the visitors, while Madeline Bregazzi was also impressive in her first game of season. Old Ivanhoe rounds out the top four after round five, while Oakeigh sits in sixth place.

Competition leaders Williamstown CYMS had a hard fought win against eighth placed De La Salle at Burbank Oval, winning by 18 points by the end of the match. With scores locked (8-8) after quarter time, Williamstown lifted across the second and third term, kicking three unanswered goals to keep De La Salle at arms length. CY’s Georgina Petty was again excellent, awarded Best on Ground for a second week in a row. Along with Petty, CY’s three other goal scorers, Jasmine Piacquadio, Jessica Danaher and Estelle Eames were named among the best. Brooke Robertson scored De La Salle’s lone goal for the game, while Grace McDonell fought hard. The result keeps both Williamstown firmly in top position on the ladder and De La Salle in eighth position, yet to win a game.