A round of high scoring affairs

There were goals aplenty in Round 10 of the Division 1 Women’s competition with high scoring clashes across the board. Teams are dispersing further along the ladder. Most notably Old Brighton remains 2 games clear at the top, while a victory to the Parkdale Vultures propels them comfortably into fourth spot, with now a two-win buffer ahead of fifth placed Old Haileybury.

With just six rounds to go until the finals series teams are sharpening up those rough edges to find their season-best form. Old Brighton have made a strong statement all season that they are a force to be reckoned with, but the likes of Marcellin who have won three on the trot, are sending a message that they will be competitive come September.

The round kicked off at Brighton Beach Oval, where Old Brighton absolutely rampaged the competition, producing a 117-point victory over an unfamiliar Collegians outfit. Old Brighton went full throttle right from the first bounce with a 3.10 first quarter.

The goals came in hot from all angles, with the Tonners extending their lead at every break. Lily Tait and Caterina O’Brien had a field day with 5 goals each, propelling them comfortably into second and third place respectively on the competition’s leading goal kicker tally; only to be surpassed by Marcellin’s Zoe Glascott. Sienna Courtney and India Tait joined the sharpshooters in the best for the match.

The Tonners looked as impressive as ever with their cohesion around the ground, in what was not just an impressive attack on the scoreboard, but also a consolidated defensive effort to keep the ball well out of the Lion’s forward arc.

Collegians lacked the competitive spirit they are known to deliver week in-week out, scoring just one goal for the match off the boot of Lauren Kenneally. Lauren’s efforts alongside Zoe Gurr and Caitlin Galt were noted on a tough day out.

After a comprehensive four-quarter display, the scoreboard reflected a 17.21 (123) to 1.0 (6) win to Old Brighton. The Tonners are yet to drop a game this season, with every win bolstering their percentage. Will they fly through all the way to finals, or will there be an opponent able to defeat the ladder leaders over the remaining 6 rounds of the home and away season?

It was a little bit of history repeating itself out at Princes Park on Saturday morning, with Old Haileybury falling to the Parkdale Vultures on home soil, as they did a number of weeks ago. The score differential back in Round 7 was 30 points, as it was again on the weekend with the final score reflecting 30-60.

Both sides were looking to break a streak of losses in this match up, alas for Haileybury it wasn’t meant to be. They did well early to take a narrow 2-point advantage into the first break, however, couldn’t sustain the firepower of the Vultures from the second term onwards.

After settling into the match and finding their groove, Parkdale were looking in good form and did well to control the play from the centre. They doubled the Blood’s scoring opportunities with ensued them doubling their final score as well.

Sienna Symons impressed in front of the big sticks, slotting 3 for the day for the Vultures, whilst Lucy Burgess contributed 2 of her own. At the other end, Old Haileybury’s Pulli Gardiyawasam was the only dual goal scorer for her side. Sienna Allan and Ella Gown sit alongside Pulli as the standout performers for Old Haileybury.

The premiership quarter was when the Vultures really made their move, piling on 3.4 to extend their lead out to 27 points. Lucy Burgess, Hannah McCorquodale and Isabella Daddo were deemed best afield for the Parkdale Vultures in a win that comfortably secures them fourth spot for now, while they are in touching distance of third place.

Delving into the final match up of Round 10 sees Marcellin sore to their eighth win of the season in an annihilation of the Old Melburnians. The Eagles stormed home to a percentage boosting 75-point win at home.

Marcellin’s onslaught was spearheaded by the usual stars of a well-rounded squad, namely: T Zagontinos, Charlotte McGlip, Alana Pane, and Zoe Glascott. This side steps up week on week and has stamped their authority as a powerhouse of the competition this season.

A majority of goals for the victors were scored by T Zagontinos and Zoe Glascott, contributing 7 and 3 majors respectively. Accuracy served them well early on, with the Eagles scoring 4.2 in the opening term to only continue and grow their lead throughout the match.

Georgia Dunlop kicked the lone goal for Old Melburnians that came late in the final stages of the game to narrow the closing margin by 6 points and spark some confidence back into her side.

In an impressive display on a sunny Saturday morning, Marcellin ran away victors over Old Melburnians for the third time this season, recording their second highest score (83) to defeat the OM’s who only managed the 8 points for the match.

Round 11 sees some tough match ups, before teams will have an opportunity to reset with a league-wide Bye round. Old Melburnians will host ladder leaders, Old Brighton at the home of the VAFA, Elsternwick Park. With OM’s struggling to insert themselves into games on the scoreboard, this could be a thumping by the Tonners who are yet to experience a defeat in 2024.

Old Haileybury will be looking to get back on the winners list when they come up against an in-form Marcellin side, with the opportunity to break back into the top four on the line. Meanwhile the Parkdale Vultures will host Collegians in a middle order clash that could be one to watch.