Hawks down Vultures as Ivies extend winning streak

Meg Saultry

Hawthorn AFC finished the home and away season with a worthy win, beating a competitive UHS-VU by 14 points at Brens Oval. The Hawks took the early lead with three first quarter goals, before UHS-VU responded with three of their own in the second term to bring the margin within nine points at half time. The remainder of the game played out in relatively contested fashion, with the Hawks ever so slightly extending their match winning lead. Grace Webster starred for the Hawks, while Molly Johnston and Laura Castleden each snagged two goals. Madeline Hince kicked truly on two occasions for UHS-VU, with Alison Boyce also impressing around the ground. The Hawks will have the coveted second chance in the final, having finished in second, while UHS-VU round out their season in eighth.

Ivanhoe will head into finals having won their last 10 games after beating Swinburne Uni by 64 points at St James Park on Saturday. While already holding a comfortable three goal buffer at half time, the Ivies again took their game to the next level with six second half goals to score their second highest total of the season. Tahlia Day was best afield for the Ivies and finished with a goal, while Kira Duroux (in just her second game), Georgia Aanensen and Emilia Bisogni all slotted two majors. Rianne Coldebella was the best of the Razorbacks, while Leanne Mchenry kicked her sides’ lone goal in the second term. The Ivies will head into the Finals series as minor premiers, though the Razorbacks season comes to an end, with the club ultimately finishing in seventh.

Therry Penola finished their season with one final win, beating Canterbury Football Club by 24 points at Canterbury Sportsground. The Lions took control of the game from the very first bounce, running to a lead of 15 by the half time break. They then finished the game in faultless fashion, keeping the Cobras scoreless to record their sixth win of the season. Brydie Kent and Melissa Drew each finished with two goals for the Lions, while Bridget Costello pocketed her sixth Best On Ground honour for the season. Lauralee Rinaldi was the Cobras best for a second week in a row, with Natasha Schiller and Margeaux Henschke both contributing a major to the Cobras final score. With the game signalling the end of each clubs season, the Cobras finish up in fifth and the Lions end up one spot below in sixth.

A four-goal turn around saw St Bedes/Mentone Tigers run out 23-point victors over South Melbourne Districts at Brindisi St Oval. Having trailed all game, and heading in the final quarter two points behind, the Tigers suddenly kicked into gear to down four unanswered goals to seal the win and head into Finals with a big confidence boost. Maddison Wilson and Meghann Geschke were the Tigers best kick, with two goals each, while Gemma Reinhardt was judged best afield. Tigers’ forward Eliza Cooper sinked one goal for the day, but still took out the Division 1 goal kicking award with 25 goals this season (six ahead of her next rival). Down the opposite end, Rochelle De Koning scored twice for the Bloods, while Maya Mackey played her role well for the team. The result fails to affect either clubs positions at the end of the season, with both sides making Finals – the Tigers in third and the Bloods in fourth.