Cooper’s six-pack sinks Vultures, Hawks edge Lions

Meg Saultry

Canterbury’s finals chances suffered a big blow after losing to league leaders Ivanhoe by 25 points at Ivanhoe Park. The Ivies had the Cobras beat by the three quarter break, after keeping the visitors goalless in the opening three quarters. And although the Cobras rallied in the fourth term to outscore the Ivies own fourth quarter effort, they couldn’t claw back the lead far enough to snag the win. Ivanhoe forward Tahlia Day kicked two goals for the game, while Georgia Scarce was judged Best on Ground in the win. And it was Canterbury’s Allysha Dyer who scored the Cobras only goal in the fourth term, with teammate Lauralee Rinaldi again performing well. With one round remaining in the home and away season, the Cobras sit one win outside of the Top 4 and must have several things go their way in the remaining round to have any chance.

A final quarter comeback saw Hawthorn AFC steal a five-point win over Therry Penola at John Pascoe Fawkner Reserve Oval. In a thrilling encounter, in which the lead changed a number of times throughout the match, the Lions held a nine point upper hand heading in the final term. But it was three fourth quarter goals that got the Hawks up and over the Lions to grab the four points in the end. Hannah Nicholls was integral down forward for the Hawks with her three goals, in what was a Best on Ground performance, while Natalie Welfare also impressed. Melissa Drew put the Lions well within the hunt with her two goal effort, with Ellie Birrell also among the best for the Lions. The Hawks sit in second, with finals locked in, while Therry Penola are out of contention in sixth.

South Melbourne Districts gave themselves their best chance of finishing in the Top 4 with a 14 point victory over seventh placed Swinburne Uni at Albert Park Oval. With one round remaining, the Bloods sit in fourth after the win, with one game and a higher percentage separating them from their rivals in fifth. The Bloods kicked three unanswered goals in the second term to lead by four majors at half time, and while the Razorbacks responded by winning both the third and fourth quarters, they fell two goals short in the end. It took 11 games for South Melbourne’s Hannah Walravens to kick her first two goals of the season, while Drusilla Place (3 goals) and Siobhan Giles were the winning sides’ best. Annabelle Winslow scored two goals of her own for the Razorbacks, with Brianna Murphy best afield for a second week.

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers’ star forward Eliza Cooper led her side to victory with a six-goal effort, as the Tigers finished 43-point winners over UHS-VU at Southern Rd Oval. The Tigers dominance was best on display in the second term, in which they kick four unanswered goals, and in the fourth when they kept UHS-VU scoreless. UHS-VU were able to put their skills on show in the third term however, kicking 3.1 to curtail the damage. Alongside Cooper, Charis Uli Peniata bagged another three majors for the Tigers, while Charlotte Ady was judged BOG for a second week in a row. UHS-VU’s Carly Underwood was her sides’ best and kicked her first goal of the season, while Sarah Noonan also got the team up and about with her goal. After the win, the Tigers continue in third, while UHS-VU remain in eighth.