Women’s semi-final results are IN

Alisha Min

William Buck Premier

Semi-Final 1: Marcellin v West Brunswick

In our first semi-final in William Buck Premier, West Brunswick managed to take the chocolates by way of a 5-point full time margin against a mighty Marcellin side. Despite being away from home, travelling to Bulleen Park West for this important “do or die” encounter, the Westies managed a 13 point buffer at halftime before holding on to win by five points come the final siren. Familiar names in Yo Jones (19 disposals), Donna Yeatman (1 goal, 8 tackles) and Mel Lindsay (18 disposals) led from the front for West Brunswick, while Laura Robertson (24 disposals, 16 tackles, 9i50’s) and Magdelene Antypas (16 diposals, 26 hit outs) couldn’t be faulted for Marcellin. The Magpies will now face-off against ladder-leaders Old Trinity in next week’s preliminary final, following their three-point loss to SKOB Saints.

Semi-Final 2: Old Trinity v SKOB Saints

In a nail biting clash at the Daley Oval on Sunday afternoon, minor premiers Old Trinity were bested by SKOB Saints to the tune of three points. The OT’s were on early, holding the SKOB women scoreless in the opening term, but were unable to fully capitalise on the scoreboard – registering just four points when momentum was in their favour. In a change of the tide post half-time, two goals to Margie Gleeson, both of which came in the third quarter and would be the last two majors of the match, sealed the victory for SKOB, but the Trinity squad continued to surge right up until the final siren. Georgia Stewart (2 goals) was the sole goal contributor for Old Trinity, as Sally Peers (18 disposals, 7 tackles) and Lucy Aitken (17 disposals) had plenty of it. Catherine McBeth-Jephcott (17 disposals) and Ali Hynes were named in the best for SKOB. The Saints will now enjoy a week off, and will meet either Old Trinity or West Brunswick in the grand final.

 

Premier B

Semi-Final 1: Monash Blues v Old Camberwell

In an exhilarating match at Frearson Oval, Monash Blues will proceed to the preliminary final after defeating Old Camberwell in extra time by a solitary point. Scores were level at 41 points apiece when the final siren blew, but the Blues managed to muscle an all-important point in extra time to keep their premiership dream alive for season 2019. Registering two majors for the afternoon, Hannah O’Brien was named best for the Monash side, alongside Emma Lynch and Abbie Hansen, while Eloise Defina and Deanna Booth led a noteworthy effort by the Wellers – who trailed all game to almost nab victory. With this win under their belt, the Monash crew will prepare to face Caulfield Grammarians in the preliminary final following their loss to Old Xaverians.

Semi-Final 2: Old Xaverians v Caulfield Grammarians

In their Sunday tousle at Xavier College, Old Xaverians proved their ascendancy and booked their spot in Premier B grand final action thanks to  15-point victory over Caulfield Grammarians. The opening quarter was truly in Xavs favour, as they managed three goals straight while holding the Fields scoreless – setting a pretty convincing tone for the match. Despite the slow start, the Fields muscled their way into the contest, spearheaded by Chelsea Fisher and Irena Malliaras (1 goal), to trail by just three points at 3QT. The classy Xavs side, fronted by Gabrielle Henderson and Tangata Tupou, proved too strong in the final term though, and successfully booked their spot in the grand final, and promotion to William Buck Premier for season 2020, thanks to their 15-point win. Caulfield will regroup this week ahead of their preliminary final challenge against Monash Blues.

 

Premier C

Semi-Final 1: South Melbourne Districts v Canterbury

In the first semi-final of our Premier C competition, Canterbury have run out 15-point winners over South Melbourne Districts at Lindsay Hassett Oval. The Cobras had not won a match since their 77-point victory over North Brunswick back in Round 12 prior to this game, yet the team managed to boot 3.11 in this significant win, while keeping the Swans to 2.2. Lauralee Rinaldi and Philippa Simon were listed in Canterbury’s best on this occasion, while Roselyn Buje and Maya Mackey fought hard for the Swans. The Cobras have now booked their place in a preliminary final bout against the defeated Yarra Old Grammarians from Semi-Final 2.

Semi-Final 2: Yarra Old Grammarians v Brunswick Renegades

Reversing a nine-point loss in Round 14, Brunswick Renegades wrangled a four-point victory over Yarra Old Grammarians at Doncaster Reserve. Despite leading by nine points at the final change of ends, the Renegades were potentially a bit toey going into the final term considering a similar 10-point lead last week wasn’t enough as the Bushrangers stormed home with three goals. Nevertheless, the Renegades clearly learnt their lesson, and a standout evening by Felicity Smith and Pia Salvatore helped enable the win for Brunswick on this important occasion. Though the Yarra side will be disappointed with their low scoring outcome, especially considering their only goal was registered in the final term, a second chance awaits them in the preliminary final this weekend against Canterbury.

 

Division 1

Semi-Final 1: Old Haileybury v Beaumaris

Despite falling short to Old Haileybury by 46 points just last week, Beaumaris have pulled out all their cards to triumph in Division 1’s 1^st Semi-Final by way of two points at Princes Park Caulfield. The Beauy side, who’d slumped to three straight losses in the concluding rounds of the home & away season, arrived at Princes Park with a mission this weekend and will be delighted to front-up in next week’s preliminary final – especially given some key injuries during the year. For the defeated Hearts, who looked on track to play out another Cinderella story in our women’s competition, Sarah Allingham and Carly Dillon were highlights.

Semi-Final 2: Old Scotch v Old Brighton

Not indifferent to their form all season, Scotch Stars have successfully secured their place in the Division 1 Grand Final for 2019 thanks to a 22-point victory over Old Brighton at Camberwell Sports Ground. Booting 5.7 for the match, comparatively to the Tonners 2.3, the Stars – led by Rebekah Comand and Lily Goss – appeared to have all the answers in this semi-final contest, and will subsequently enjoy a week off before facing off against either Old Brighton or Beaumaris in this section’s Grand Final.

 

Division 2

Semi-Final 1: Westbourne Grammarians v Whitefriars

Westbourne Grammarians were in some phenomenal form heading into their semi-final fixture against Whitefriars, and it certainly showed as they finished-up as 42-point winners at their home ground in Westbourne. The Friars, who scraped in to the Division 2 finals fixture in the dying moments of Round 14 thanks to a draw against Williamstown CYMS, fought hard through Rachel Smith and Georgie Kirkwood, but the Warriors were in full flight – particularly Odeth Lopez (3 goals) and Victoria Pettit, in this no-second-chance final. Westbourne now await a contest against the fallen Williamstown CYMS in next week’s preliminary final.

Semi-Final 2: Therry Penola v Williamstown CYMS

Therry Penola will say a collective hello to a Division 2 grand final outing in 2019 thanks to an eight-point victory over Williamstown CYMS in their semi-final clash at John Pascoe Fawker Reserve. Not an overly dissimilarly result to their last clash in Round 11, where the Lions took the chocolates by five points, the Therry side got away to an early lead thanks to Sarah McMahon and Eliza German (1), making things pretty difficult for the CY’s (who were led by Kacie Cook and Amy Roscoe). For the triumphant Therry, the club will be beyond excited to feature in their first grand final appearance since beginning in the competition in 2017. For the defeated CY’s, a preliminary final outing is penned against the victorious Warriors.

 

Division 3

Semi-Final 1: Hampton Rovers v Oakleigh

Hampton Rovers ran out 14-point winners in their semi-final clash against Oakleigh at Boss James Reserve – successfully cementing their place in preliminary final action next weekend against defeated minor premiers, UHS-VU. With able support from Mandy Naylor and Taylan Merrick, the Rovers’ Tarryn Hurst had an absolute outing in this clash, booting all five of her team’s majors for the day. For the fighting Krushers, who should be elated by their finals appearance this season, Jasmine Ballestrin and Jordyn Bethune were two of the teams’ best.

Semi-Final 2: UHS-VU v Preston Bullants

The fortress of Brens Oval simply wasn’t enough for minor premiers, UHS-VU, to best a fiery Preston Bullants in Semi-Final 2 of our Division 3 competition. The Vultures, who were able to down the Bullants by 28 points in their last meeting in Round 11, were simply unable to produce that same outcome here in finals, despite leading goalkicker in Division 3 (Madeline Hince) kicking three of her side’s five majors. All credit to this impressive Bullants team, led by Anita Ovenden and Isabella Katzakis, who’s composure heading into the final term (despite scores being level) enabled this huge win. The Vultures will now face a recharged Hampton Rovers in the preliminary final next weekend.

 

Division 4

Semi-Final 1: Ajax v Parkdale Vultures

Ajax are on their way to the preliminary final after overwhelming Parkdale Vultures today at Gary Smorgon Oval by two goals. Despite not registering a single score in the opening half, the Jackettes were out in force in the subsequent two quarters, taking a one-goal lead at the final change of ends before holding the Vultures scoreless and registering another major in the concluding quarter. A spread of goalkickers through Maddy Smart, Isabelle Worth and Jessica Israel enabled this victory, and they’ll look to these players again next weekend if they hope to best the defeated Richmond Central.

Semi-Final 2: Glen Eira/Old McKinnon v Richmond Central

Congratulations are due for minor premiers Glen Eira/Old McKinnon, who now await the Division 4 grand final with baited breath after overcoming Richmond Central by 23 points at Packer Reserve. Holding the Snakes goalless come halftime, all while kicking away with 3.2 themselves, the Gryphons were in the safe hands of Isabel Quintal and Georgia Clair (4 goals) and put themselves in excellent stead come the second half. The Snakes, who managed just one major in the final term through Esther Seymour-Pessah, will duel with Ajax this weekend in the preliminary final.