Aquinas offensive dominance as double chance race intensifies 

Round 12 is complete, and with the season entering its final stretch, the race for the Division 4 Women’s premiership and finals spots is intensifying. 

Wattle Park has moved one game clear at the top of the ladder, while Aquinas and Mazenod remain locked on 32 points in a fierce battle for second. Meanwhile, Canterbury and MUWFC continue their fight for the final finals berth.

With just a month remaining until finals, every game will play a crucial role in shaping the postseason. 

Wattle Park 4.4 (28) def Albert Park 0.0 (0) 

The round commenced at Bennettswood Reserve, where Wattle Park recorded a 28-point victory to claim their eighth win of the season. 

The Animals kicked the only goal of the opening quarter. After a hard-fought and scoreless second term, Grace Ambrosini extended the lead with the only goal of the third quarter before Rani Knight and Jemima Clancy each added a goal in the final term to seal the four points for Wattle Park. 

Wattle Park’s goals were shared among four players, with Ebony Ratcliffe, Grace Ambrosini, Rani Knight and Jemima Clancy each kicking one goal. 

Wattle Park coach Mel Dell’Olio was pleased with his side’s second half after an arm-wrestle in the first half.

“After half-time, we were able to absorb the heat and get some significant forward entries by being disciplined at the stoppages with some good clearance work.

“The first half was very even with very slippery conditions as both teams took the dew from the grass, the only difference being a 25-metre penalty that allowed our goal. Ebony Ratcliffe has been practising hard at training.

“Shoutout to our defenders who set up well repelling entries into our defensive 50.” 

Best 

Wattle Park: Ebony Ratcliffe, Grace Ambrosini, Lucy Eales, Charlotte Norton, Hannah Pear, Rani Knight 

Albert Park: Vanessa Gan, Emma Sullivan, Zoe Dragoi, Bridget Turner, Darwisyah Faqihah, Amy Smyth 

Canterbury 5.8 (38) def North Brunswick 1.9 (15) 

Canterbury secured their sixth win of the season with a 23-point victory over North Brunswick at Rathmines Road Reserve, sitting fifth on the ladder.  

The Cobras made a strong start, with Danielle Calvisi and Stephanie Langley each kicking a goal in the opening quarter. 

To North Brunswick’s credit, the visitors lifted their defensive pressure and challenged Canterbury throughout the second term. 

Canterbury regained control in the third quarter, with Kiara Bloomfield, Stephanie Langley and Ashley McHutchison all finding the goals to extend the margin to 32 points at the final change. 

The Bulls responded with a late goal in the final quarter, but the Cobras maintained their composure to seal the 23-point victory. 

Stephanie Langley led the way in front of goal for Canterbury with two majors, while Kiara Bloomfield, Danielle Calvisi and Ashley McHutchison each added one goal. 

Canterbury coach Tony Pisani was pleased to celebrate Bridgette Roberts on becoming the club’s first women’s player to reach 100 games, alongside the side staying focused on the game. 

“The girls showed incredible maturity all week preparing for not only this incredible milestone but staying focused on the task at hand the all-important four points, he said.  

“We had a clear focus this week as we knew the level we needed to execute at, given the opposition. 

“To dig deep and fight off lots of momentum swings is a big step forward in our learning. Great team effort.” 

Best 

Canterbury: Brigette Roberts, Kiara Bloomfield, Lauren Bailey, Clara Reiger, Tess Holt, Alice Hartwig 

North Brunswick: N/A 

Brunswick 1.0 (6) def by Mazenod 3.5 (23)

Mazenod recorded their eighth win of the season, with a gritty 17-point victory over Brunswick at Gillion Oval, moving to third spot on the ladder.  

Both teams got off to a strong start, scoring one goal each in the first quarter. Mazenod scored one goal in the second quarter, extending the margin to nine points at the main break. 

The Nodders controlled the second half with a goal in the last quarter, to complete a hard-earned victory. 

Zara Lukies led the way in front of goal for Mazenod with two majors, while Zoe Spicer added one goal.  

Mazenod coach Matt Foale praised his side despite the tricky conditions. 

“It was a really even first half, we got the jump after half time and never looked back,” he said.  

“Zoe Spicer was great at full forward, supported well by Zara Lukies. Erin Hopkins celebrated her 50^th game with a stellar game in the ruck.” 

Best 

Brunswick: Elsie Daddow, Emily Goode, Liliana Jaques, Emily Molnar, Rubee-Leigh Poata, Stephanie-Jade Szuhai-Andrews 

Mazenod: Zara Lukies, Zoe Hayden, Zoe Spicer, Erin Hopkins, Abbey Walton, Remy Bartlett 

Fitzroy 1.1 (7) def by Old Xaverians 8.6 (54)

Old Xaverians recorded their seventh win of the season with a 47-point victory over Fitzroy at Victoria Park in Abbotsford. 

Old Xavs made a strong start, kicking the only goal of the opening quarter before adding another major in the second term to take a 17-point lead into half-time. 

Fitzroy responded with their first goal of the game in the third quarter, but Old Xaverians quickly regained the momentum, piling on four goals to extend the margin to 36 points at the final change. 

Old Xavs finished strongly with two goals in the final quarter to seal the 47-point victory. 

Mia Wapshott starred in front of goal with four majors, while Charli Wapshott added two. Chloe Psyhogios and Isabella Gale also contributed with one goal apiece. 

Old Xaverians coach Gabby Gould was pleased with her team’s efforts.
 
“We had an awesome game against a very skilled Fitzroy. Fortunately for us we were able to use our skills and speed to get a few quick goals in the second after missed opportunities and only kicking one in the first quarter.

“It was a great game under lights and the girls worked hard yet again to play to their strengths and run the game out. Mia Wapshott was amazing in the forward and mid kicking 4 goals, while we had some great work from Georgia Kennedy and Molly Blood in the backline. Zahli Burgess and Remi Di Carlo also had a strong game.”

Best 

Fitzroy: Amie Stapleton, Milena Ward, Sophia Carr, Eilish Wallace, Evie Deasey, Alice Becker-Scott 

Old Xaverians: Mia Wapshott, Georgia Kennedy, Ashley Rowan, Molly Blood, Remi Di Carlo, Zahli Burgess 

MUWFC 1.2 (8) def by Aquinas 12.7 (79)

The round concluded with Aquinas recording their eighth win of the season, defeating Melbourne University by 71 points.

Aquinas made a strong start, kicking two goals in the opening quarter before adding another three majors in the second term to take a 31-point lead into half-time. 

The visitors continued their dominance after the main break, piling on five goals in the third quarter to extend the margin to 63 points at the final change. 

To Melbourne University’s credit, they continued to compete strongly and broke through for their first goal in the final quarter. Aquinas responded with two more goals to seal the 71-point victory. 

Emily Box starred in front of goal with four majors, while Abby Guerin, Meg Dargan and Asher De Klijn each kicked two. Alovi Gomes and Hannah Jones also added one goal apiece. 

Aquinas coach Phil Box praised MUWFC and said the contest in the middle remained even throughout the match. 

“Melbourne Uni had some great marking players, but we were really happy with our speed of ball movement and the spread of contribution from all of our players.”   

Best 

MUWFC: Mickey Gostencnik, Zara Ford, Renee Cahill, Emma Hallissey, Jasmine Gould 

Aquinas: Millie Edwards, Hannah Jones, Emily Box, Naeve Evans, Ash Broderick, Casey Murphy