Parks reign supreme in R1 of Div 4 Women’s

Nick Armistead

The Parks reigned supreme when Division 4 Women’s kicked off on Saturday, with Albert Park, Parkside and Parkdale Vultures each claiming victories in the opening round.  

Albert Park & MCC played out a thriller at Bill Woodfull Oval as the Falcons claimed a four-point victory with less than two minutes left on the clock. Trailing by two points late in the fourth term, it was debutant Claire Mumford who sealed the win when she kicked her first goal for the club with 90 seconds remaining. Jo Griffin picked up where she left off in 2019 when she polled 25 votes in the competition B&F Award, starring for the Falcons with a dominant midfield performance alongside teammates Anna Townshend and Claudia Bowers. MCC’s Aish Ravi top-scored with two goals, while Claire Blom and co-coach Anna Harris found plenty of it. It was a sensational way for the Falcons to kickstart their 2021 campaign after winning just one game in 2019.

Two first-timers came together for their Round 1 openers, with Parkside edging past Elsternwick by 12 points at EP. Only two points separated the sides at the three-quarter-time break before the Red Devils delivered the knockout blow with two unanswered goals in the final term. Former Ivanhoe Junior, Kayla Sutcliffe, slotted two of Parkside’s four goals, and Kirby Mackie – who has played over 50 games in the Sapphire Coast AFL and AFL Townsville – was named best afield. For the Wickers, Carmen Chong and Zoe Eyles were standouts, while Ashleigh Bransden and Nicola Berto kicked their two goals.

Following their club’s women’s launch on Thursday night, Parkdale Vultures came out firing against Swinburne University and ran out 40-point winners at Gerry Green Reserve. The first half was tight with the Vultures kicking two goals to nil, until they kicked away with five goals to one thereafter. After starting her career with Mordialloc Braeside JFC U12’s in 2011, Breanna Allen showcased maturity beyond her years with a best-on-ground performance for the Vultures, while former MCC player Elizabeth Buchanan kicked two majors. Hayley Wurfel was the sole goal kicker for the Razorbacks but she was supported by Sophie Carolan and former Murray Felines gun, Tahlia Simpson.

In Round 2, De La Salle will commence their season against Albert Park after a Round 1 bye, while MCC will look to claim their first win of the season against Parkside. The Wicks and Vultures will face off in a twilight match at EP, while Swinburne take the weekend off.

Photo: Parkside FC