Bullants upset Friars, OMs solidify top spot

Meg Saultry

Old Melburnians solidified its top position, holding off a spirited Aquinas by 17 points at Elsternwick Park Oval. OMFC were able to score a single goal each in three of their quarters, but failed to capitalise further in the second term when they kicked five points. Aquinas were unable to break though for most of the day, only impacting the scoreboard in the third term, but did well to eventually hold OMFC to a 17-point victory considering the top side averaged a 38.7 winning margin in their previous seven matches. OMFC’s Bridget McDonald was the only multiple goal scorer of the day, finishing with two, while Isabella Rankin-Ward (OMFC) and Karli Korbay (Aquinas) were best afield for their respective teams. Old Melburnians sit in first place heading into the final three weeks of the home and away season, having successfully separated themselves from the second placed Whitefriars.  Aquinas’s finals hopes are dashed however, with the club sitting four wins outside the Top 4 in sixth.

Oakleigh celebrated their second win this season, defeating De La Salle by 17 points at W.A Scammell Reserve. De La Salle looked to be in prime position for their second win after kicking 21 points to eight in the first quarter, but the Krushers turned the tables to kick four goals unanswered goals for the remainder of the game. Oakleigh amassed five individual goal kickers for the day, while Madeline Bregazzi was Best on Ground for a third straight week and was again amply supported by Maggie Minchin (who has been named second in the best for the same three-week period). De La Salle also boasted three individual goal scorers, with Claire Clarke kicking her first for the season, while Jordyn Faulkner was her team’s best for a second week. Both teams remain outside finals contention, with Oakleigh in seventh and De La Salle in eighth with one win this season.

Bulleen Templestowe provided the upset of the round, beating second placed Whitefriars Football Club by nine points at Whitefriars College Oval. Each side had their dominant quarters, with Bulleen winning the first and third terms, and the Friars prevailing in the second and fourth. But it was the Bullants who better capitalised on the scoreboard in their winning quarters to run out victors. Bulleen’s Joanna Lin kicked two majors in her first game for the yellow and blue, while Madelyn Davies contributed a handy goal and finished best afield in the win. Whitefriars Danielle Mccarthy was her side’s most influential player and finished with a goal, with teammate Caitlin Angus also amongst the best for a second week. The win solidifies Bulleen’s position in fifth, though the club still has work to do as they sit two wins out of the Top 4. Even though this is the Whitefriars third loss this season, they remain in second with only six points separating first and fourth.

In the closest match of the round, Williamstown CYMS prevailed over an inaccurate Old Ivanhoe by four points at Chelsworth Park. The Hoers troubles begun early when they kicked three points – whilst CY kicked truly – to trail at the first break. CY furthered their lead with two unanswered goals to lead by 13 at the main break, before the Hoers responded to bring CY’s margin back down to four as they headed into the final term. By this point the Hoers boasted a 2.8 score line to CY’s straight four, and when both teams finished with a major in the final 20 minutes, CY’s lead won out. Kacie Cook was dominant down forward for CY and finished with three, while Felicia Yiannis was equally as important. Old Ivanhoe’s Wendy Nguyen was her side’s best, and with three individual goal scorers for the day, Sarah Foley’s one major ranks her equal first in the competition’s leading goal tally alongside Whitefriars’ Eilish Boyd (18 goals this season). The result flips the two clubs positioning, with CY moving up from fourth to third and Old Ivanhoe slipping down into fourth.