Mugars on the board, Sheagles swoop Magpies

Alisha Min

After 13 rounds, our reigning premiers Melbourne University finally got on the board thanks to a 12-point win over Fitzroy-ACU. Going into the major break with a goal in their favour, the Mugars continued to apply scoreboard pressure through Lucy Watkin (1) and Jessica Kay (1) in the latter half while holding the Roy Girls to 1.1. In this evenly poised contest, epitomised by only four disposals distinguishing the Mugars (161) from Fitzroy (157) and both sides tallying 16 inside 50’s for the match, avenues for goals proved problematic for the Roy girls with only Teresa Zampaglione (1) and Elizabeth Olney (1) managing to convert. For the victorious Melbourne Uni, Elyce Hay was named best for the third time in her third game of the season, as teammate Prudence Cordes shone with 14 disposals and five marks. Alyce Madden (19 disposals, five tackles) and Lucy Kerr led from the front for Fitzroy-ACU.

Marcellin staged a thrilling come-from-behind victory at McAlister Oval, flipping a four-point 3QT deficit to a four-point win over West Brunswick. Despite failing to score in the opening term, the Sheagles charged in the second, booting 3.5 to the Magpie’s solitary goal to ease into halftime with a 10-point lead. Another scoreless term in the third spelled danger for the visitors as the Westies kicked ahead thanks to majors from Emma Lippman and Grace Macpherson, but the determined Marcellin squad headed by Maggie Antypas (1 goal, 23 disposals) and Nat MacDonald’s (20 disposals, 10 tackles) standout efforts contained West Brunswick’s run and enabled the much-needed win. For the defeated Westies, Lippman was the sole multiple goal-scorer with two while Alexandra McKenna was dominant in the ruck (40 hit outs) and Mel Lindsay (16 disposals) showed class around stoppages.

In the battle of the Saints, SKOB were all business at Ferndale Park as they surged on to a 25-point victory over St Mary’s Salesian. Holding St Mary’s to a solitary point in the opening term, SKOB booted 21 points through Sarah Cameron and Margaret Gleeson – effectively outscoring St Mary’s final score line (2.5-17) in a single quarter. Joelly Firmin (2) was Salesians’ sole goal contributor for the afternoon as teammates Alice Angley (16 disposals) and Sarah Yule (15 disposals) fought hard against this staunch SKOB side who now occupy second spot on the ladder. Big V vice-captain, Ali Hynes, continued as a mainstay in SKOB’s best with her 62 hit outs as Sarah Cameron (3) and Georgia Cropley (2) were prolific in the forward line.

In the inaugural Bendigo Bank Round between Kew and Old Trinity, the freight train that is the T’s continued at full steam as they downed the Bears by 38 points at Victoria Park.  The T’s put together a comprehensive opening term with goals to Sally Peers, Ruby Long and Georgia Stewart, but the Bears were able to quell Trinity’s scoreboard influence in the second to trail by just 10 points at the half. Old Trinity proved why they boast premiership favouritism in the second half however, dominating with four goals and not allowing Kew to score for the remainder of the afternoon. Amanda Fogarty (2) and Georgia Stewart (2) combined for four of Trinity’s seven majors, while familiar faces Imogen Barnett (22 disposals, 33 hit outs, nine clearances) and Vanessa Murphy (20 disposals, 15 tackles) were simply outstanding. Tara Donnan and Selina Wilmott stood tall for Kew.