Nail-biters and blowouts: A weekend of contrasting contests

Both Fitzroy and West Brunswick set their sights on an important four points coming into their clash at Ramsden Street Oval to maintain touching distance with the top four. The final score of 0.4 (4) to 0.7 (7) underscores the nature of the contest and how tough scores were to come by. West Brunswick ultimately had more of the Sherrin and took home the chocolates in a 3-point victory.

From the opening bounce, it was score-for-score in a tight tussle, with neither team really seizing a significant advantage in the game. At the quarter time break, it was a deadlock at one behind apiece.

Fitzroy opened their account in the second term with another minor score but reposted quickly by West Brunswick with two consecutive points of their own to take a slender lead at the main change by one point.

West Brunswick coach Hazel Theophania conceded the match was “super gruelling” producing a heavily contested game played on a knife’s edge throughout the four quarters. After the main change, West Brunswick had all the scoring momentum but failed to capitalise into goals that would put the game to bed. In doing so, the Magpies booted four consecutive behinds to lead by 5 points at three quarter time.

However, it was the Magpies’ third quarter scoreboard pressure that proved the difference in the game with Fitzroy failing to hit the front from their two scoring shots in the final term, trimming the margin to three points at the final siren. Mila Jennings, Kristen Peake, Erin Gogerly, Melissa Renard, Jessica Hayes, and Annabelle Davey all tried their best to haul Fitzroy over the line.

Next week, Fitzroy will take on the in-form Caufield Grammarians at Glen Huntly Park as West Brunswick will play 2^nd place Old Yarra Cobras.

Preston Bullants’ produced a 50-point win in a dominant performance over Oakleigh at CT Barling Park on Saturday morning bringing out their season record to read 4 wins and 6 losses.

Mia Minguez Baird set the tone early with the first of her 5 majors for the morning playing an instrumental role in her side’s win. Preston was dominant from clearance allowing their forwards many opportunities at the big sticks. This midfield dominance allowed the Bullants to take a 19-point advantage at the first break.

Oakleigh did not boot their first goal until the second-half courtesy of Sophie Conn. The Bullants responded with a four-goal third term with captain Lily Saunders chiming in with 2 goals. Grace Davies and Jayde Jenkins also added their names to the scoreboard in the second half to balloon the margin in excess of 50 points at three quarter time.

Brenna Edsell, Talia De Santis, Lauren Magiatzis, and Wanyun Huang – all had a major impact in the 8-goal win.

The Bullants have a great opportunity to continue their winning streak when they play Monash Blues next Saturday as Oakleigh will have a breather with the bye.

In a top-of-the table clash, Old Yarra Cobras edged out the hosts Westbourne Grammarians in a low-scoring affair in Saturday’s afternoon slot. The Cobras’ win was set up off the back of the efforts of Bianca Lawrence, Shayla Cleverly, Bree Pascoe, Janelle Bertoni, Jacqui Morton and Ali Wilson.

It was a slow start for both teams trying to grow accustomed to the sluggish conditions of Andrew Park Pavillion. A couple of misfires at goal for Westbourne was all the scoring for the first term, as Westbourne took a 2-point advantage at the first break.

Karla Templeton put a premature end to both teams early inaccuracy by kicking the first goal of the game at the 20^th minute mark of the second quarter. With this major, Westbourne led at the main change by 7-points.

With just the solitary behind to show for after a half of football, the Cobras’ kicked into gear in the third quarter as a result of goals from Janelle Bertoni and Kimberley Lyth. These goals proved decisive in the context of the game, as Westbourne struggled to get momentum their way for the remainder of the contest. An even last quarter at 2-behinds apiece meant Old Yarra held their nerve to win by 9 points (9-18).

This second-half turnaround by the Cobras is a testament to their leader’s ability to stand up in largely contested games like this one. Old Yarra move to second on the ladder as Westbourne stumbled to their second loss of the season, although still boasting an impressive record of 9-2.

Port Melbourne Chargers dished out a 117-point shellacking of Monash Blues at JL Murphy Reserve. The win was typified by a great spread of goalkickers across the park, with Tess Maloney (4), Meagan Harrison (3), Jessica Stolz (3), Nikolette Atkin (2) all multiple goalkickers.

There were early signs of a bloodbath as Port Melbourne came out of the gates strong with 9 scoring shots to take a 29-point lead at quarter time. Monash struggled to chain the ball up the field as the ball lived predominately in the Chargers’ forward 50 all day.

Another four goal to nil quarter, produced a 55-point advantage in favour of the Chargers at half time. Sancia Bingham, Jacqui Greer, Jessica Rose Bennett, Angel Yonehara, and Skye Blackshaw, performed admirably in the loss.

However, Monash did not realise Port Melbourne’s best quarter for the day was to come in the third term when 7 unanswered goals were piled on the scoreboard. The lead crossed the uncompromising century mark when the three-quarter-time siren blew.  

The foot was taken off the pedal in the final quarter as Port Melbourne kicked 2.2 for the term to run out winners by 20 goals.

Caufield Grammarians’ impressive season in Division 4 rolled on with a 16-goal smashing of St Kevin’s.

The Grammarians’ banged home 5 consecutive goals in the first term to jump St Kevin’s. St Kevin’s struggled to withstand the constant pressure applied by Caufield at stoppages around the ground. This pressure culminated in six unanswered goals in the second quarter by the Caufield side, with Hannah Buur, Danielle Hadwin, Irena with Hannah Buur, Danielle Hadwin, Irena Malliaras, and Lauren Yallow making the most of their opportunities in front of the big sticks.

Caufield coach Lachie Worthy noted that Hannah Buur was particularly strong overheard and Irena Malliaras “was deadly when the ball hit the ground.” It was not just the efforts of the forwards that Worthy praised, but the intercept work of Ruby Neil at centre half back, who “set up a lot of turnovers” according to Worthy.

St Kevin’s ability to move the ball forward effectively was stifled all day, managing just the 2 behinds on the scoreboard. The shutdown of the St Kevin’s transition from back-to-forward 50 was truly a hallmark of the Grammarians’ four quarter performance.

Buur was outstanding in the 97-point win, bagging four goals of her own, as Hadwin and Malliaras kicked a pair of threes. Jamie Tucker, Mathanki Winayakan, Charlotte Lupson, Sophie Stevens-Williamson, Sofia Zielonka, and Kate Shannon, were admirable in the loss for St Kevin’s.

Looking to next week, the Grammarians will host Fitzroy and St Kevin’s will take on Westbourne in another tough match-up. Canterbury will welcome Port Melbourne Chargers to the Sportsground and the Old Yarra Cobras are set to host West Brunswick.