Animals join D4 Women’s as Guns shoot up the ladder

Nick Armistead

There’s been a significant change to the make-up of Division 4 women’s over the past two weeks with Emmaus St Leo’s coming down from Division 3. The Animals managed just 13 points from their five outings to start the year, and will no doubt find their feet when they debut against Parkside this weekend. For the nerds among us, there’s something deeply satisfying about an even eight-team competition and the removal of the bye. But I digress.

As for last week, well if they hadn’t already done so, Parkdale Vultures solidified their position as flag favourites with a comprehensive 51-point victory over MCC. The ladder leaders kicked three goals to one in the opening term at Gerry Green Reserve, and progressively built on their lead throughout the day. Paris Davey was the main recipient of a dominant midfield display and finished with four goals, while Jessica Welford and Sienna Symons were their most impressive players. Offensively, the Vultures rank first with an average of 59.4ppg, but their percentage of 495% is largely due to their defensive prowess. The Vultures have given up just 60 points from their five matches as no opponent able to break through for more than two goals in any game. For the Dees, 2.4 (16) was their lowest score of the season and the first time they’d kicked less than 40 points since Round 2. Despite the loss, Paige Stein and Aish Ravi found plenty of it.

Swinburne University snapped a two-game losing streak when they defeated Elsternwick by 19 points at St James Park. Having only kicked a combined 22 points over their past two outings, the Razorbacks found their range in front of goal with Emily Becker (2) leading them to a winning total of 4.7 (31). In her first game since 2018, Eloise Mahoney returned to Swinburne with a dominant BOG display. Mahoney was hot to trot three years ago as she played 10 games and was named in the best eight times. It’s been a tough start to the season for the winless Wickers, but they can take solace in the fact they trailed by just three points at three quarter time before Swinburne kicked away in the fourth. Nicola Berto and Ashleigh Bransden continued their good form for the Wickers.

In the third and final game of the round, De La Salle rocketed into second spot on the ladder with a 46-point victory over Parkside. 17 scoring shots to one showcases the Guns’ dominance, with Bridie McConville backing up her three goals from last week with a game-high four on Saturday. Monica Ward and Mikhaila Picone provided plenty of spark for De La and Sally Fyfield starred once again. After being held to 20 points in their first match against Albert Park, the Guns have been on song in front of goal with an average of 59.75ppg in their four matches since. It was another impressive outing from Emily Rayment and Diana Cornish for the Red Devils while Hannah Baird kicked their solitary goal – her first for the season. They remain in sixth spot on the ladder with two wins for the year.