Vultures soar to first victory, ground Rovers’ finals hopes

Finals football is starting to take shape with just one more round left in the home and away season. The final four is all but locked in, with the most interesting position to play out being whether Monash Blues or Oakleigh finish in second spot and claim the double chance.

Glen Eira/Old McKinnon has officially secured the minor premiership and are the team to beat heading into the finals. Whilst it was not their most dominant performance of the season on the weekend, they did enough to run out six-point victors. It was a strong showing from Power House, who really tested the ladder leaders in a low-scoring contest and went into the last quarter seven points up after a big third term and looked set to secure the four points. However, it was the Gyrphs who put the foot down in the fourth to secure a come-from-behind win.

Gryphons captain Gemma Strangio was one of the best again as she seems poised for another big Finals series, whilst Eliza Morrison and Hayley Carter were also strong competitors. For Power House, Sinead Doorley, Grace Read and Jessica Waterhouse were amongst the best.

In the final round of the home and away season, Power House will host Monash Blues whilst the Glen Eira will host the Vultures.

In perhaps one of the upsets of the year, the Parkdale Vultures secured their first win of the season and dashed all hopes of the Hampton Rovers finals chances. Hampton had so much on the line in this match, however the Vultures willed their way to a hard-fought victory, having been winless since coming into Division 1 following the regrading period.

In a low scoring affair, it was the Vultures who wanted it more, winning by 20 points. As has been a theme throughout this season, the margin may have been a lot larger had they been more accurate in front of goals.

Rovers’ captain Shae Raywood led from the front on Saturday, with Hollie Brodribb and Mandy Naylor strong alongside her. Jessica Belford, Breanna Allen and Chloe Phillips all had a good day out on the park to take their team to victory.

Parkdale will come of their upset win full of confidence and will need to replicate the same form if they are to defeat the red-hot Glen Eira/Old McKinnon at home on Saturday. With the Rovers’ finals hopes now put to bed, they’ll hope to finish the year off strong against Old Haileybury.

Oakleigh kept hopes for a home final alive after defeating Therry Penola, now sitting level on points with the Blues, albeit they do have a large percentage gap to make up.

Whilst they ran out three goal winners, their offense and defense were both strong- the Lions were limited to just two behinds after half time whilst Oakleigh went on to kick another 3.5.

Oakleigh captain Ruby Ford was named in the best for the fourteenth time this season and looks set for Team of the Year selection. Similarly, Eliza German was also named in the best for a fourteenth time and has not missed being in the best since way back in Round 3.

Therry will hope to cap off their season with a win against Richmond Central on Saturday morning. Oakleigh will have to pull off a big win against Whitefriars if they are to keep their home final hopes alive.

In a game where many would have expected the Monash Blues to pile on a big score, they defeated Richmond Central by just 16 points. It was a low scoring affair, with no goals kicked in the first half as both teams struggled to get on the board. However, the second half proved just why the Blues are such a force as they just refused to lose.

This game had big repercussions for the shape of the ladder with Monash holding just 12 percentage points of Oakleigh. Gabrielle Perry, Anna Purtill and Caitlin Williams were impressive for the Blues. Tenille Moselen, Georgia Harris and Louise Allen were Richmond’s best.

Next week the Blues will have to beat Power House if they are to secure second place. Richmond will wrap up their season against Therry Penola on Saturday morning.

Unlike the rest of the games this weekend, Whitefriars smashed Old Haileybury by 54 points and look set to play in finals. Haileybury did not score a goal until the last quarter, held to just one behind for the majority of the game until Ruby Hartney hit the scoreboard for the Bloods.

Meave Bohanna was the difference on the weekend and looms as a key player coming into finals, kicking five goals. Bohanna has kicked goals in three games this season, and all three times these have been bags of multiple goals. Laura Mimmo and Clare Sullivan also had a strong game. Serene Vudiniabola was the best for Old Haileybury and has been a consistent performer for them all season. Whitefriars will play Oakleigh next weekend in what could be a preview of a potential final in a great test for both teams. Old Haileybury will host the Rovers in the final match of the home and away season.