Therry by a thread: Lions win thriller as finals race heats up

Round 9 of the Division 1 Women’s competition saw one of the most exciting matches of the season thus far in a showdown between Therry Penola and the Monash Blues. A tussle that came down to the wire.

A much-improved Therry Penola kept their finals hopes alive, defeating Monash Blues by a singular point (29-28). The loss now leaves the Blues in third, whilst the Lions are now just four points outside of the top four. Abbey Duggan was instrumental for the Lions, kicking three of their four goals, whilst Eliza German was also impressive. For the Blues, Hannah Konstanty continued her strong season with two goals, with Gemma Cowin and Samantha Rodgers supporting her up forward.

The Blues will be hoping to return to the form that kicked their season into gear when they take on the Rovers on Saturday afternoon. The Rovers are just one game behind the Blues on the ladder, and a victory would help to separate them from the rest of the pack as they search for a top two finish. Therry Penola will take on Power House and could find themselves in equal fourth, pending the results of the Blues vs Rovers game.

The Hampton Rovers continued their strong run of form, defeating Old Haileybury by 48 points on the weekend. It was an evenly matched first quarter, the Rovers taking just a two-point lead into quarter time. However, a four goal second quarter set them up for victory. An inaccurate game in front of goals, with the Rovers kicking 16 behinds, the wind playing a role.

Grace Bonanno had three goals, whilst Bree Daniels was also strong with two goals of her own. Maegan Miller was influential, whilst Hollie Brodribb continued her impressive season. It was a tough day out for Old Haileybury, but Ella Gown, Poppy Murdoch and Kate Langford-Jones were their stand out performers.

Old Haileybury will host Richmond Central on Saturday morning in an evenly matched game, whilst Hampton will take on Monash at Frearson Oval in a massive game.

Glen Eira/Old McKinnon extended their winning streak over the rest of the competition, defeating Power House by 37 points. The tone was set early, with a 31 to 7-point first half. The Gryphs were threatening in front of goal and the damage potentially could’ve been a lot worse had they not kicked seven behinds. The goalkicking improved in the second half, with Glen Eira booting an accurate 3.1.

Some different names in the mix for best player for the Gryphs this week with Grace Curran, Aleesha Whittle and Grace Bridges rounding out the top three. Zoe Uwland continued her impressive year for Power House, whilst Grace Read and Georgia McHolmes were both impressive.

Glen Eira will travel to play Whitefriars on Saturday morning, whilst Power House will play a tough opposition in Therry Penola also on Saturday morning.

Richmond Central recorded just their second win of the season, leaving the Parkdale Vultures winless and sitting on the bottom of the ladder. Therese Tynan was one of the strongest for Richmond, kicking two goals whilst Mia Hyde-Smith also kicked one goal. Ella Marsich and Ann-Marie Geary were also impressive.

Courtney Bennett scored Parkdale’s only goal, whilst Sienna Symons and Chloe Phillips were also strong contributors. Play-by-play was not available at the time of writing.

Richmond will be looking to register consecutive wins for the first time this season when they play Old Haileybury at Princes Park Caulfield on Saturday morning. Parkdale’s search for their first win doesn’t get any easier as they will take on the second placed Oakleigh at Scammell Reserve.

The final match of Round 9 saw Oakleigh defeat Whitefriars by 13 points to sit equal second on the ladder, just above Monash on percentage points. The game was on Oakleigh’s terms for the first three quarters, taking a 20-point lead into the halftime break. At this stage Whitefriars had failed to kick a score.

It was a similar story in the third quarter, with Whitefriars managing just two behinds. However, the fourth quarter had Whitefriars looking like a different team. They held Oakleigh scoreless and had they been more accurate in front of goals, they would’ve had a shot at victory.

Kaitlyn Sidopolous took her goal tally to 15 for the season as she registered another two, whilst Daisy Bird was best on ground with two goals of her own. Lily Firth and Ruby Ford were also strong players on the day. Georgie Kirkwood, Clare Fernandes and Kate Mason were the best for Whitefriars.

It doesn’t get any easier on the weekend for Whitefriars as they will host Glen Eira/Old McKinnon, whilst Oakleigh will host Parkdale.