Top teams extend streaks as Fitzroy claim crucial win

Round 4 of the Division 4 Women’s competition saw Beaumaris and Westbourne each go a game clear of the rest of the pack on the ladder, riding high after being four and zip.

Westbourne Grammarians simply outclassed Oakleigh on Saturday morning at Scammel Reserve boasting a 101-point victory. Whilst the points piled on were all class from Westbourne, what was even more impressive was their defensive structure and ability to keep Oakleigh scoreless throughout the match.

The win was characterised by exhilarating connection across the ground and forwards who sought to fill their boots after their Round 3 match was decided by forfeit. Westbourne’s victory was typified by a great spread of goal-kickers with Isabelle Choate continuing her impressive season booting 3 majors in the win. Georgia D’Amico, Caitlyn Gashi, Karla Templeton and Chloe Weston-Sirett all hit the scoreboard twice, with Charlotte Chow and Nicky Porter chiming in with a goal each.

Oakleigh coach Gavin Kenny noted their struggle to compete was underpinned by an amounting injury toll, leaving Oakleigh with 14 fit players at the final siren. “Despite the challenges, the young team fought it out to the end and showed a lot of character” Kenny said, namely the efforts of Olivia Rossato, Tenzin Cohen and Brianna Boyce. Undoubtedly, these efforts demonstrate there is light at the end of the tunnel for the misfiring Oakleigh with just the one win to speak of.

JL Murphy Reserve played host to the match of the round between the Port Melbourne Chargers and Fitzroy.

Port Melbourne, fresh off their 4 goal away win against Monash Blues, knew they were to be challenged by 5^th placed Fitzroy. The two similarly placed teams played out an exciting contest, with Fitzroy clinging on to an 8-point margin that proved enough at the final siren, defeating the Chargers 7.6 (48) – 5.10 (40).

This upset victory over Port Melbourne came at a vital time for Fitzroy who even the ledger at 2 wins and 2 losses for the season to date.

Despite having two more scoring shots, Port Melbourne were left to rue their inaccuracy at the sticks as demonstrated by their 10 behinds. Fitzroy’s Thea-Wilkinson Shore, Madison Carter, Cleo Bigwood, Evie Deasey and Annabelle Davey ensured Port Melbourne were kept at arm’s length throughout the final term. Fitzroy’s captain Kristen Peake was again inspirational in the victory kicking a much-needed goal when Port Melbourne competed hard in the second half.

The 8-point loss certainly didn’t deter the fighting spirit within Port Melbourne as Tanisha Clark, Claire Peters, Maia Sublet, Jemima Ross and Nikki Wallace performed admirably in the loss.

All tied up on 4 points coming into Round 4, the St Kevin’s and Preston Bullants fixture still promised to deliver a highly skilled game at the behest of their supporters. However, the first quarter delivered more of a contested game than both teams would have desired, as the game was largely played between the arcs.

At the quarter time break, Preston took a narrow 2-point advantage. Preston opened the goal scoring in the 2^nd term at the 4^th minute mark which was quickly responded by St Kevin’s Molly McLean to cut the margin back to 3 points at half time. Preston coach Trevor Robinson conceded, “the game was mainly played in our half, but we couldn’t score as St Kevin’s pushed numbers back to defend desperately.” However, the game was broken open in the third term, through Preston’s greater forward pressure and a terrific goal from Sadie Gray boundary-side.

Preston had shut the door on St Kevin’s early in the final quarter when Hollie Thompson’s 3^rd goal for the day sailed through. Thompson continues her impressive goal-kicking form making that 6 for the year.

Ultimately, the consistent forward pressure to lock the ball into Preston’s forward half proved decisive for what was otherwise a close contest. The Bullants ran out winners by 22 points, with the final scoreboard reflecting 2.0 (12) to 5.4 (34).

The matchup between Old Xaverians and West Brunswick set for Basil Reserve was over before it even started. West Brunswick were handed the points in another unfortunate Old Xavierians forfeit.

In another one-sided affair in Div 4 Women’s, the high-flying Beaumaris were dominant again on Saturday afternoon at Banksia Reserve, handing out a 75-point drubbing of Monash Blues.

Beaumaris’ six scoring shots to Monash’s 0 in the opening term, foreshadowed a big day out for the Sharks’ forwards. The under-siege Monash backline did well to keep Beaumaris goal-less for the first quarter. However, Beaumaris broke the shackles in the second term, booting 3.5 to lead by 29 at the main change.

Leading the Division 4 goal-kicking, Isabella Allan delivered another 5-goal haul to pile on the pain for Monash. Allan’s season tally stands at 12 goals from 3 games, an invaluable 4 goal average.

The Monash challenge was never really that potent as Beaumaris booted another 4 goals to extend the margin to 55 points at three quarter time. Bridget Scott, Amy Pearce, Tess Cahill and Maya Buhl were all pivotal in the 75-point win for Beaumaris. It will take a lot of stopping to curtail the impact of these women in future fixtures, as Beaumaris finish Round 4 sitting pretty at the top of the Division 4 ladder. Who is going to challenge Beaumaris in Season 2025?