Gryphons & Old Xavs Soar as Parkside Pour it On

Round 11 of Premier B Women’s delivered seismic results across the board, with Glen Eira/Old McKinnon producing one of the upsets of the season to defeat the Port Melbourne Chargers and Parkside handing an in-form Williamstown CYMS their heaviest defeat since entering the division.

Elsewhere, Old Xaverians continued their impressive form with a commanding win over Old Yarra Cobras.

Old Yarra 4.1 (25) def by Old Xaverians 11.7 (73)

At Doncaster Reserve, Old Xaverians generated their second-highest score of the year to overpower Old Yarra Cobras by 48 points.

Old Xavs were dominant from the opening bounce, kicking two first-quarter goals through Annabelle Gangi and Alessandra Libertone before piling on five more in the second term to take a commanding 45-12 lead into half-time.

Old Yarra showed fight, with Lily Borg, Alannah Murray and Bree-Anna Kavanagh all finding the goals, but Old Xaverians were relentless, maintaining their pressure across all four quarters.

Old Xaverians coach Doug Greenough pointed to his midfield’s intensity as the catalyst.

“I believe our midfield found some of their best form with a high pressure act count and the ability to work together and feed our forwards,” Greenough said.

Greenough acknowledged it was an emotional day for the club following the passing of Pete Callinan, father of player Emily Callinan.

“Pete had a massive influence on a lot of players and staff at OXFC over the years,” he said.

“Our team channelled the emotion and energy into effort and intent during the game.”

Annabelle Gangi was outstanding, playing the full game through the midfield and finishing with four goals. Amelia Mauri produced her best game of the season with two goals and a leading pressure-act count, while Alessandra Libertone showed her class up forward with two of her own. 

For Old Yarra, Lily Borg, Clare Moody, Charlotte Boyce and Alannah Murray (two goals) were among the best.

Port Melbourne Chargers 6.8 (44) def by Glen Eira/Old McKinnon 7.6 (48)

The headline result of the round came at JL Murphy Reserve, where Glen Eira/Old McKinnon prevailed in a see-sawing affair against Port Melbourne Chargers, claiming victory by four points.

The Chargers came out firing, with Georgia Harris providing a strong marking target inside 50 early to help set up a 15-8 lead at quarter-time. But Glen Eira refused to be rattled, with Alice Wolfenden and Eimear Scally fighting back with goals in the second term to give the Gryphons a four-point advantage at the main break.

The lead continued to change hands in a riveting second half. Scally added her third goal on the three-quarter-time siren to earn Glen Eira a three-point buffer heading into the last, before the Chargers hit back early in the fourth to reclaim the lead.

With just six minutes remaining, Scally kicked her fourth of the day to put Glen Eira back in front, allowing the Gryphons to wind down the clock and run out four-point victors.

Scally was the clear hero of the day, displaying speed and class to establish herself as one of the competition’s most dangerous players. Eliza Morrison and Cecilia McIntosh were also influential for the Gryphons.

For the Chargers, Georgia Harris continued to dominate the forward line, while Maia Sublet impressed in the ruck.

The match also marked Claire Highfield’s 100th game, a significant milestone for one of the club’s most consistent performers.

Parkside 11.8 (74) def Williamstown CYMS 1.2 (8)

It was a surprise blowout at Pitcher Park, where Parkside overwhelmed Williamstown CYMS by 66 points.

Few would have predicted such a thumping, given Williamstown CYMS’ five wins from six games since entering the division, but Parkside tore up the script.

They were relentless from the opening bounce, kicking four first-quarter goals, including two to Madison Katerelos, to take a 28-0 lead at quarter-time.

Williamstown could not find a way through the home side’s suffocating defensive pressure, failing to register a score in the opening half.

The onslaught continued after the break, with Parkside adding five more goals across the second half.

Williamstown’s lone goal came through Loren Mills late in the third quarter, but it was merely a consolation in an otherwise one-sided affair.

Parkside coach Anthony Romano was thrilled with his side’s team effort.

“It was a great game – we tackled and hit the ball with everything we had,” Romano said. “We were able to run hard and switch and open the ground up.”

Maisie Welsh and Madison Katerelos with four goals each were outstanding, combining for eight of their side’s 11 majors, while Chloe Kodagoda proved a handy inclusion in her first game for the year.

For the CYs, Marli Russell and Olivia McGie competed hard throughout.

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In the remaining fixture, Beaumaris were awarded the four points after Old Melburnians forfeited their Round 11 clash. The result extends the Sharks’ unbeaten run to 11 games.

After 11 rounds, Beaumaris remain firmly entrenched at the top with 44 points from a perfect 11-0 record.

The battle for the remaining finals spots has tightened significantly: Old Xaverians have surged to third with six wins, while Williamstown CYMS, Port Melbourne Chargers and Parkside are all locked on 20 points.

The Chargers’ loss to Glen Eira, combined with the Gryphons’ rise, has blown the race wide open heading into the final stretch of the season.