New Ladder Leaders in Division 4 Women’s

Round 10 is in the books, and there was plenty of movement on the Division 4 Women’s ladder.

North Brunswick claimed a major scalp, Wattle Park bounced back, Fitzroy pulled off a big upset, while Mazenod and Old Xaverians climbed up the ladder this week.

Aquinas, Old Xaverians and Melbourne University are all square on 24 points as the battle for the all-important double chance is building to a thrilling finish.

Mazenod 3.12 (30) def Albert Park 1.4 (10)

The round commenced with Mazenod securing a 20-point victory at Central Reserve, lifting them to the top of the ladder.

Mazenod broke through in the early stages of the second quarter through Laura Gartland and Alicia Basham, to open a 19-point lead at half-time.

Scoring opportunities were hard to come by in the third quarter, with both teams lifting their tackling pressure. However, Mazenod managed to add another goal midway through the final quarter to seal the 20-point victory.

For Mazenod, Laura Gartland, Alicia Basham and Annabell Davies-Todd added to the scoresheet, scoring one major each.

Mazenod head coach Matt Foale was pleased with his side’s victory and being able to properly celebrate some inspiring milestones, with Zoe Spicer’s 50^th and Abbey Walton’s 100^th games.

“It was a really hard-fought victory, the conditions made it a real slog, the ball was on the ground a lot and rolled from stoppage to stoppage.”

“Whilst we had the best of it, we were a little wasteful in front of goal, due to the pressure applied. Abbey Walton celebrated her milestone with a stellar game, while Matilda Mackenzie and Bridget Hollard were also influential throughout.”

Best

Mazenod: Abbey Walton, Zoe Spicer, Iliana Skantzos, Zara Lukies, Bridget Hollard, Katherine Pseftoudis

Albert Park: N/A

Aquinas 3.9 (27) def by North Brunswick 5.2 (32)

North Brunswick secured their third win for 2026, defeating Aquinas by five points at JW Manson Reserve.

It was a thrilling start, with both sides kicking two goals in the first quarter, highlighted by Olivia Akaruru’s major which opened the scoring for Aquinas.

It was a grind as the quarter progressed before Ruby-Rose Gibson-Haywood helped give North Brunswick a four-point lead at quarter time.

North Brunswick lifted and scored two goals in the second quarter, giving the Bulls an eight-point lead at half time. Aquinas added one goal in the third quarter, reducing the margin to two points and building a tense final quarter.

The Bulls were better in the clutch moments, finishing with a goal early in the last quarter to secure the four points.

North Brunswick head coach Jake Barclay was pleased with his side returning to winning ways.

“We’ve worked really hard to learn a new game plan this year and yesterday we were able to piece it all together for four quarters.”

“We got the early jump on Aquinas, kicking the first goal really quickly, which gave us a huge amount of confidence for the rest of the game and set the tone for an upset.”

Best

Aquinas: Emily Box, Chelsea Delbridge, Dianna Haines, Naeve Evans, Kate McKenna, Emma Fabre

North Brunswick: Isabelle Brennan, Ruby-Rose Gibson-Haywood, Ella Robinson, Ange Hall, Orla Minogue, Delfina Estrada

Canterbury 1.4 (10) def by Wattle Park 2.1 (13)

Wattle Park secured their sixth win of the season with a three-point victory at Canterbury Sportsground, moving the side into second spot on the ladder.

It was a real grind in the first quarter, but Georgia Bold hit the scoreboard late in the second to give Canterbury an eight-point lead at the main break.

Wattle Park then found their momentum, kicking two goals in the third quarter through Madeleine Mazar and Georgie Dillon, to take a four-point lead into the final break.

While it was a grind in the last quarter, the Animals continued to apply the pressure and put the game on their terms to secure a stellar victory.

Wattle Park head coach Mel Dell’Olio was elated by his side’s pressure and contest efforts.

“I was delighted with the effort of our first-year forwards who have been working hard on timing their attack on the incoming ball and our leadership group led superbly helping the team gain and maintain momentum after half-time.”

“Big shoutout to our rural and interstate Uni students who’ve altered holiday plans to be available for the game.”

Best

Canterbury: Clara Reiger, Kate Ward, Olivia Feutrill, Ashley McHutchison, Alice Hartwig, Kiara Bloomfield

Wattle Park: Rani Knight, Tabita Sutharsan, Charlotte Norton, Lucy Eales, Madeleine Mazar, Jemima Clancy

Fitzroy 7.11 (53) def Brunswick 0.5 (5)

Fitzroy claimed their third win of the season, defeating Brunswick by 48 points at W.T Peterson Oval.

Fitzroy set the tone early with seven scoring shots in the first quarter but really capitalised after the first break.

The Roys followed this with three second-term goals by Sally Norman, Ester Boles and Bethany Zmak, extending the margin to 29 points at half-time.

The hosts continued their dominance in front of goal during the third, adding two more majors to extend the margin to a huge 41 points at the final change.

Fitzroy added one major in the last quarter and didn’t concede a goal, applying relentless pressure to lock in the four points.   

For Fitzroy, Esther Boles was instrumental in front of goal, finishing with two majors, while Alanna Badenhorst, Eilish Wallace, Rebecca Kazmierczak, Sally Norman and Bethany Zmak contributed with one goal each.

Fitzroy coach Liz Olney was pleased with the victory and being rewarded for effort.

“First goals for Sally Norman, Rebecca Kazmierczak and Eilish Wallace were fantastic. These girls, playing their first year of senior footy are really settling into the season and will be the spine of the team for a few years.”

“We are hoping to keep the momentum going and just enjoy playing fun Fitzroy football to finish the season.”

Best

Fitzroy: Lilly Nolen, Clodagh Taylor, Rebecca Kazmierczak, Eilish Wallace, Philippa Danks, Pip Southey

Brunswick: Laura Geissler, Emily Goode, Tahlia Hayes, Ainsley Jones, Emily Molnar

MUWFC 3.6 (24) def by Old Xaverians 6.4 (40)

The round concluded with a thrilling contest at Melbourne University Oval, with Old Xaverians defeating MUWFC by 16 points.

MUWFC opened the scoring with one goal in the first quarter and continued to build the momentum in the second quarter, scoring two goals to Old Xaverians one, taking a 14-point lead to half time.

Old Xavs found their groove in front of goal, scoring two goals in the third quarter, reducing the Mugars’ margin to two points at the final change.

Old Xaverians built on their attacking momentum in the last quarter, scoring three fourth-quarter goals to secure a great win.

Annabelle Gangi was instrumental in front of goal, finishing with three goals, while Amelia Mauri finished with two and Lia Siniakov kicked one.

Old Xaverians head coach Gabby Golds was pleased with her side’s fight against a quality side.

“We came out firing and so did Melbourne Uni, resulting in a few goals kicked against us in the first half… We continued building and really came out hard in the third and switched the momentum to be on our side.”

“The final quarter was another hard fight, but we used our skills and speed to run the game out and get the win.”

Best

MUWFC: Daisy Sudholz, Mickey Gostencnik, Lily Huttler, Gabrielle McDonald, Zara Ford, Sophie McDonald

Old Xaverians: Adele Nucara, Chloe Bonnett, Isabella Gale, Ashley Rowan, Milla Siniakov, Zahli Burgess