Three-horse race for top spot

North Brunswick retain their spot in the top five, notching their fifth win of the season, defeating Elsternwick by 50 points on Saturday morning at Elsternwick Park.

The bye didn’t disrupt the winning streak momentum for the Bulls, who have come away victorious from four of their last five matches.

North Brunswick started the match strongly, kicking two goals in the opening term. The second quarter was much like the first with another two goals on the board.

Elsternwick failed to capitalise and didn’t make their opportunities count in the third quarter, kicking five behinds, whilst North Brunswick continued to make their opportunities count on the scoreboard, victorious when the final siren blew, 0.6 (6) to 8.8 (56).

Ruby-Rose Gibson-Haywood was the star of the show, who kicked three goals for the match. Laura Wynne kicked two, whilst Butcher and Szumer kicked one goal. Eilish Horsfall and Jacinta Frizziero were influential for the Wickers on a tough day out.

Toorak Parkplayed host to a matchup between Prahran and Mazenod, the Nodders ultimately coming home with the chocolates.

The match commenced with a guard of honour by the two teams for the umpires in recognition of the VAFA’s Umpiring Round.

Mazenod seemed to have the upper hand right from the outset taking a two-goal to one-behind advantage at the first break. There defensive pressure was a standout in keeping their opponents quiet. From there the Nodders flexed their muscles, extending their lead at every break to eventually run out 56-point victors.

Laura Gartland and Luisa Giannetti were best on for the travelling side while Marielle Caponas and Liana Edwards impressed for Prahran.

Albert Park have bounced back with a win on the road when they defeated the South Melbourne Districts by 17 points at Lindsay Hasset Oval.

It was a low scoring affair in blistery Melbourne conditions with a wind that made it hard to score. By half time, the Falcons had kicked 1.4 (10) and the Bloods were still searching for an avenue to goal.

Whilst both teams were inaccurate in front of goal in the third term, the Falcons maintained a nine-point lead at three quarter time.

The Falcons kicked one goal in the last to seal the victory. And on a tough day to hit the scoreboard, a seventeen-point buffer was more than enough to secure a win.

Albert Park’s Jessica Newitt and Amy Smyth all did their part in securing the four points for their team.

Albert Park’s fifth win of the season keeps them in touching distance of the top five, but with a percentage of 137.42, will need to some big wins to jump in fifth position.

St Mary’s Salesian have kept themselves in touch with the top two, separated only by percentage and currently holding down third place.This week’s challenge was against the likes of Wattle Park whom they called and conquered at their Ferndale Park fortress.

The win came off a cohesive display from the likes of Sophie Tsakonas, Bec Bruce, Samreen Kaur, and Holly Wilson for the Saints. Meanwhile, gun forward Georgia Cropley had a day out in front of the big sticks slotting three majors for the day, and Georgia Smith contributed one of her own.

Despite the final result of 4.7 (31) to 1.1. (7), Caitlin Power, Jemima Clany, and Tabita Sutharsan stood out for the Animals.

In a top of the table clash, Old Camberwell edged out Ormond in a 19-point victory at home. With Ormond sitting pretty atop the ladder for some weeks, the Wellers were determined to serve the Monders their first defeat and claim pole position, and that they did.

This win sees Old Camberwell rise to the top of the Division 3 Women’s ladder with a healthy percentage of 584.62%.

It was a grind from both sides with Ormond unable to maximise opportunities, kicking five behinds. Although, through effective defensive structures they were able to keep Old Camberwell quiet early and hold a 5-point advantage at the first change.

Old Camberwell hit back with three straight goals in the second quarter, one goal each by Emma Vogel and Rebecca Bellpieri, to build a 13-point buffer of their own.

The Wellers extended the lead out 24-5 with an early major off the boot of Bridget Facey in the third, before Ormond clapped back with a major of their own.

That would prove to be the last of the goals for the day, Old Camberwell registering a further 6 behinds to claim victory over their rivals.

Neither side is out of the woods just yet as the top three all sit on eight wins, one loss after 9 rounds of the 16-round competition. With plenty more football to come, let’s take a look at what Round 10 has in store:

In a battle between 6^th  v 7^th Albert park are on hosting duties as they welcome Wattle Park to Bill Woodfull Oval. Mazenod are set to take on Elsternwick and Prahran travel to come up against the in-form North Brunswick. Old Camberwell have another tough challenge in St Mary’s Salesian if they are to retain first place, while Ormond are set to play South Melbourne Districts.