Falcons test the ladder leaders

Round 11 of Division 3 Women’s footy is in the books, and whilst the ladder remains unchanged from the week prior, top four contenders were tested by sides hungry to make a move. Ladder leaders Ormond were tested by the swooping Falcons, whilst the Bloods were red hot against Mazenod.

Albert Park and Ormond kicked things off at the Bill Woodful Oval; in the first match up between these two sides this season. The final score of 3.2 (20) to 3.9 (27) doesn’t reflect how tight the contest and how tough scoring would be.

One could say there was perhaps an element of unknown about the opposition, to which the Falcons capitalised and came out all guns blazing. From the opening bounce, the home side controlled the first quarter, kicking the first two goals of the game, off the boots of Bonnie Grining and Ashlea Wilson. At the quarter time break, it was the Falcons with a seven-point lead.

Ormond got going in the second to win the quarter 1.4 to 2.2 and get themselves back in the content. Despite a goal to Indiana Harrison from the Monders, Albert Park clinched a 2-point buffer at the half to set the stage for a mammoth second half of football.

Ormond, ultimately too strong for the Falcons, were able to kick the only goal in the third quarter and one in the last quarter to secure the victory by seven points. The Monders hold onto pole position on the table with a stronger percentage than their top-of-the-table rival in St Mary’s Salesian.

Next week, the Falcons face another finals contender, taking on Mazenod, whilst Ormond take on North Brunswick.

St Mary’s Salesian produced a 6.7 (43) to 2.2 (14) win in a dominant four-quarter performance over North Brunswick at Ferndale Park on Saturday morning, bringing up their season record of 10 wins and one loss.

Both teams grinded it out in the first quarter. St Mary’s booted the first goal early in the second courtesy of Natasha Sutherland, but North Brunswick kept in touching distance, with Chloe Hoskinson opening the scoring in the second half.

It wasn’t long before the Saints kicked away to hold a 16-point advantage at the final change before extending that out to a lead of 29 at the final siren.

Lucy Dobbyn had a day out, finishing with four goals for the match. Sophie Tsakonas finished with two goals, whilst Natasha Sutherland finished with one goal. Meanwhile, Mary Ntalianis was best afield for the Bulls.

St Mary’s Salesian has a great opportunity to keep their hold on their top two position when they come up against Elsternwick next weekend. Whilst North Brunswick have another tough challenge when they come up against Ormond.  

Old Camberwell’s match up against Prahran was determined by forfeit, with the Wellers taking the points.

In another matchup between two unfamiliar sides yet to go head-to-head this season, Wattle Park dished out a 51-point trouncing of Elsternwick at Bennettswood Reserve. The win reflected the Animals squad depth having multiple avenues to goal via Emily Severin (3), Ebony Ratcliffe (2), Jemma Waghorne and Madeline Mazar.

Wattle Park came out of the gates with three scoring shots to take a 13-point lead at quarter time. Elsternwick struggled to find the big sticks against a solid Wattle Park defence, whilst the Animals were able to capitalise on opportunities around the ground.

Whilst it was a goalless third quarter, Wattle Park produced five goals to nil in the last quarter to pile on the scoreboard. Wattle Park kicked 7.10 for the term to run out seven goal winners.

For the home side Laura Sonnemann and Elli Haylock west named best on, whilst Jacinta Frizziero and Jenna Berto impressed for the travelling Wickers.

Mazenod are sitting comfortably in fourth and have a pep in their step coming off another win, defeating South Melbourne Districts at Warwick Armstrong Oval in the final game of the round.

To the Blood’s credit, they stuck with it for majority of the game, giving the Nodders a run for their money and holding them to just one goal for the first half.

With Mazenod taking a six-point lead at half time, South Melbourne kicked two majors in the premiership quarter to claw the margin back to just three points. Hot on their heels the Districts had an upset on their minds with all to play for in the final term.

With just one kick each way in the final quarter, it all came down to accuracy and it was Mazenod who were able to kick truly with a goal to Grace Di Petta to seal the deal.

South Melbourne can hold their heads up high for a valiant effort against a competitive opposition. They have come a long way from their first match up against Mazenod back in Round 1 of the 2025 season where they went down by 58 points and were unable to register a score. Most impressively on the weekend, their defensive structure kept Mazenod in check and prevented another blowout defeat.

Looking ahead to Round 12, Mazenod face Albert Park, while South Melbourne Districts are set to host Prahran at Lindsay Hasset Oval.

Complacency is always a danger at this point of the competition when teams feel settled in the top four. However, with the double league-wide bye just around the corner, followed by just three more rounds of the home and away season to make an impact, anything can happen…