Late Division 4 entrants continue to make a splash!

Canterbury have registered their second win for the season in impressive style, defeating St Kevin’s by 23 points at the TH King Oval. After being humbled by Caufield Grammarians in their most previous outing, it was important for Canterbury to start well. Indeed, there was early signs of a response booting 3 first-quarter goals to a scoreless St Kevin’s.

This scoreboard dominance continued in the second term, with a further three goals added to extend the margin to 39 points at the main break. Canterbury was able to effectively thread the ball through the St Kevin’s defensive line, almost finding a new target every time.

Not to lower their colours in the second half, St Kevin’s responded with three rapid-fire goals courtesy of Jamie Tucker and Holly Kerr, who were decisive in St Kevin’s winning the third term. St Kevin’s second half surge continued in the fourth quarter with plenty of entries inside their forward arc but failed to make a meaningful impact on the scoreboard. The four St Kevin’s behinds in the final term summed up a day of what could have been.

Canterbury’s win was typified by 7 individual goal-kickers. Some feat!

Second placed Fitzroy were scheduled to take on eleventh placed Oakleigh, however, the match was unfortunately determined by forfeit. The four points were handed to Fitzroy meaning their season reads 5 wins and 2 losses. Contrastingly, Oakleigh have the one victory to show for.

Caufield Grammarians are looking the goods in Season 2025 after a delayed entry into the Division 4 competition as Saturday morning’s performance enhanced their reputation as one of the teams to beat this year.

Fresh off the bye, Preston Bullants were undoubtedly up for the fight in the first quarter matching Caufield’s intensity at the coalface which coincided with a low-scoring opening term for both sides. Caufield’s second term was seized by young ruck Millie Randall, providing excellent tap-work for her mids in addition to floating forward to take some pack marks.

Caufield coach Lachlan Worthy also praised the tireless efforts of his captain Kate wicks and forward Ava Wolf. “Captain Kate Wicks led the young and enthusiastic defensive unit and Ava Wolf up forward was able to take some strong marks and convert accurately,” he credited. These efforts were reflected on the scoreboard as Caufield pulled away to lead by 15 points at the main break.

The Bullants were able to string together some passages of play that posed a genuine threat to the Caufield lead in the third quarter. However, Caufield’s “engine room” of Ruby Hong and Alannah O’Carroll kept the scoreboard ticking over in order for the Grammarians to dispose of a gritty Preston outfit by 32 points.

High flying Westbourne Grammarians were struck down by a rampant Port Melbourne Chargers at Andrew Park Pavillion by 18 points.

From the outset, it was a see-sawing contest that put both sides’ in form midfield to work. Westbourne’s Emilia King hit the scoreboard with an early major, but it was Port Melbourne who took an early 2-point advantage at the quarter time siren, leading 9-7.

The second term was largely uneventful on the scoring front with Port Melbourne’s Maegan Harrison booting the game’s only goal for the quarter. Another 1.3 goal quarter put Port Melbourne firmly in charge of the contest with Mili Ledgerwood, Jemima Ross, Alexandra Gurr, Kirk Segond and Emma Meggs – all playing significant roles. A Westbourne goal at the 9^th minute mark threatened to swing momentum back Westbourne’s way, yet the damage was already done.

Port Melbourne closed out the game with a couple of late scores to inflict Westbourne’s first loss of Season 2025. All smiles at Port Melbourne with a crucial win over ladder-leaders Westbourne!

The round was closed out with a low-scoring thriller as Old Yarra Cobras edged out the Monash Blues by 7 points. A final scoreline of 1.1. (7) to 2.2 (14) highlights how much of a hard-fought contest this match proved to be.

Monash, determined to get back on the winner’s list, started strongly with a first term major handing them the lead at quarter time. It had seemed that Old Yarra were carrying the wounds of a brutal final term against Port Melbourne last week in the first term against Monash.

However, vice-captain April Jones was determined to regain the lead with an inspirational performance from the midfield that saw Old Yarra leading at the main change. Old Yarra’s defense withstood the Monash counterattack keeping them goalless for the remainder of the match.

Despite the narrow loss, Sancia Bingham, Megan Dore, Alli Charles, Nina Musk, Amaya Postlethwaite and Kirrily Bruce all did their part to keep Monash in the game until the final siren.  

It’s fair to say Season 2025 continues to deliver some low-scoring thrillers, winning the hearts and minds of the supporters of all sides!