Roy Girls roll out at Melbourne Uni, Bears swipe OT’s

Alisha Min

Drizzly conditions at Melbourne Uni oval did not dampen Fitzroy-ACU’s determination in Round 3 as they secured a 20-point victory over reigning premiers, Melbourne University. Kicking off her three-goal game with the match opener just a minute in to the first term, Elizabeth Olney was prominent again as the Roy Girls had a plethora of contributors throughout the afternoon who enabled their first victory of 2019. For Fitzroy, it was impossible to overlook Tash Ross-Harris in the ruck, with 49 hit-outs to her name, while teammate Teresa “Razor” Zampaglione complimented her brilliantly with her 28 disposals, 23 kicks and 10 inside 50’s from the middle. For the so far win-less Mugars, their high turnover of players in the off-season proves an ongoing challenge, but the valiant efforts of their backline in Lucy Lechich (28 disposals, 10 marks) and Steph Comelli continue to impress, while Vanessa Lewicki (1) is a solid target up forward.

Our William Buck Premier Women’s ladder-leaders post Round 2, Old Trinity, were toppled from their top-of-the-table position by way of a three points loss to a gallant Kew at Hudson Oval. With virtually nothing separating the two sides during this hard-fought contest, highlighted by the goal-for-goal evenness at each quarter break, it was Rachel Hardy’s fourth quarter major, her third for the day, which enabled the Bears to swipe the win. For the OT’s, their dominance around stoppages was again evident thanks to Imogen Barnett’s 45 hit-outs, but their inability to fully capitalise on their forward 50 entries (20 v Kew’s 18), despite Sally Peers three majors, proved detrimental. For the now second-placed Kew, Hardy was prolific, while Issy Harding (1), Anne-Marie Boys and Krystal Shaw (2) were able in support.

SKOB Saints have registered their second win for the season after booting 54 points to Marcellin’s 36 at Righetti Oval. The eventual 18-point victory was a credit to the Saints first-quarter superiority, which saw Sarah Cameron snag three majors, all while holding the Sheagales scoreless. Though the Sheagles surmounted a strong effort to finish out the match, kicking three majors through Tea Stapan, Libby Whiting and Olivia Dikranis, the Saints preeminent defensive efforts, spearheaded by Bree Doyle’s 12 tackles, and prevalence around stoppages by way of Alexandra Hynes’ 53 hit-outs, simply out-classed their rivals for the afternoon. For the winners, Cameron was unstoppable with five goals, while Doyle and Ellie Mclinden (2) were also fantastic. The Sheagles’ Shaylee Taylor (2) topped her side’s goal-kicking, while Allysha Dyer and Charlotte Linsen were also named in Marcellin’s best.

In their first battle in the highest section of the VAFA Wilson Women’s competition, the great rivalry between West Brunswick and St Mary’s Salesian continued at Ferndale Park in Round 3 as the Westies kicked away to a 15-point win. Although the raising of the Saint’s 2018 Premier B Blue premiership flag in the pre-game might’ve brought back un-fond memories for the visitors, a solid four-quarter performance by the Westies and a breakout final term led by Gemma Gray’s 19 disposals and Grace Macpherson’s two majors saw them extend their win/loss ration to the Saints 5-3. For the Saints, who’s 82% efficiency in the forward 50 would’ve had greater effect had their number of entries mirrored West Brunswick’s 31 compared to their own 11, Holly Ellis (1), Sasha Byrnes and Rachel Gill fought hard, while Yolanda Jones and Annie Mack (1) continue to impress for West Brunswick.