Vultures maintain unbeaten run as Dees keep finals alive

Nick Armistead

Parkdale Vultures went one step closer to claiming the Division 4 Women’s flag after they defeated Albert Park by 33 points in the second semi and booked a spot in next week’s grand final. Despite losing the last two rounds of the home and away season to Covid, the Vultures didn’t miss a beat, kicking three goals in the opening term and adding a further five to three as the match progressed. The trio of Jamie-Lee Munn, Jessica Welford and Sienna Symons continued their outstanding form through the Vultures midfield, while Paris Davey and Zoe Titmus slotted three goals each. 55 points is the largest score the Falcons have had kicked on them all season, but it didn’t stop Johannah Griffin and Anna Townshend finding plenty of the ball. Caroline Pullen and Ange Buegge fought valiantly down back, but the Falcons will now be tasked with finding form against the MCC in this week’s preliminary final.

MCC kept their finals run alive with a five-point victory over De La Salle at Waverley Oval. Having lost to the Guns by seven points in their only match-up this year back in Round 4, the Dees kicked 1.5 (11) to 0.1 (1) in the opening term and maintained a small lead in what ended up being a low-scoring affair 2.8 (20) to 2.3 (15). Kaeli Hunt and Caitlin Sexton were named best afield for the Dees alongside goal kickers Anna Harris and Ellecia Baker. Ilena Gentile, Rachael McDonough, and Sally Fyfield fought until the very end for the Guns and were aptly named their best after standout seasons for each.

MCC will now face Albert Park in this week’s preliminary final 10am Sunday at Trevor Barker Oval. The sides have met twice this season with the Falcons claiming a four-point win in Round 1, only for the Dees to hit back with a five-point victory in Round 10. Given the sheer size of TBO, it will likely come down to the side – and the midfield – who runs the hardest and uses the wide expanses of the picturesque bayside oval.