Reigning premiers bounce back to issue a warning to the competition

Marcellin reminded the competition why they are the reigning premiers on the weekend, bouncing back from a tough loss to Old Brighton last weekend with a 62-point win over the Parkdale Vultures. There is now a large gap between third and fourth place, with two games separating Marcellin and Parkdale. The top three in Brighton, Collegians, and Marcellin continue to dominate, whilst the bottom half of the ladder are producing mixed results.

Despite facing a much-improved Parkdale Vultures, Marcellin returned to form with their impressive victory, their accurate kicking in the second half seeing them fire away to their sixth win of the season and stay level with Collegians on the ladder. The win also keeps them in check with first place, albeit Old Brighton are still undefeated and two wins ahead.

It was a tough day for Parkdale, scoring only one goal for the game via Jenna Wale in the first quarter. It was grim for the women from then on, with only a singular point scored after quarter time. Marcellin were inaccurate in the first half, keeping Parkdale in the game. However, a 6.6 second half powered them to victory.

Zoe Glascott added to her growing goal tally, contributing three of her own. Despite her impressive performance it was Stephanie Bridge who was best on, along with Charlotte McGilp, Alana Pane and Annabel Scott.

Next up, Marcellin will face Collegians when both teams come off the bye from the King’s Birthday long weekend. Parkdale will host Old Melburnians.

Old Brighton continued their undefeated streak with another big win, this time over Old Melburnians by 25 points on Saturday morning. Old Melburnians remain with just one win for the season at bottom of the ladder, two wins behind Old Haileybury in fifth place. Very much like other games this round, it was a very even first half, with Brighton only leading by seven points at the main change.

The third quarter was a very different game, with Brighton charging ahead, kicking 4.2 to Melburnians 1.1. It’s named the premiership quarter for a reason, with Brighton demonstrating that this is where the game can be won or lost.

Once again, Lily, Jasmine and India Tait were all in the best on field, Lily Tait with two goals to her name. Co-captain Caterina O’Brien was also impressive, with three goals of her own. Clare Fraser was best on for Old Melburnians.

After the bye, Melburnians will play Parkdale, whilst Old Brighton will travel to play Old Haileybury.

Collegians solidified dominance in the league since their elevation to the Division 1 competition, with a 34-point win over Old Haileybury. Haileybury now sits in fifth on the ladder, a game behind Parkdale in fourth.

The game was never really on Haileybury’s terms, who were limited to 1.4 in the first half and only two goals for the second half. Comparatively, Collegians scored 5.4 in the second half to cement their win. Eliza Main was best on ground for Haileybury, whilst Serene Vudiniabola had two goals in the low scoring affair.

Collegians did not list their goal scorers at the time of writing. Ashlee Ladson, Josephine Muscat, and Chelsea McDermott were the top three for Collegians.

In Round Nine, Collegians will play Marcellin. It looms as a massive game, with the winner to move into outright second, breaking free of the third placed team and a game closer to Old Brighton on top of the ladder.

Old Haileybury will host Old Brighton at Princes Park Caulfield.

All six teams will enjoy a well-deserved weekend off as they look to freshen up for the second half of the season. The competition will resume on Saturday 15 June.