Unstoppable Sharks & Chargers offensive masterclass

Round 13 of Premier B Women’s delivered emphatic results as the business end of the season approaches.

Port Melbourne Chargers produced their most devastating performance of the year, Beaumaris continued their perfect run with a dominant victory over Old Yarra Cobras, Old Melburnians locked away another tight win and Glen Eira/Old McKinnon fell just short against Williamstown CYMS in a low-scoring tussle.

Old Melburnians 2.2 (14) def Old Xaverians 1.0 (6)

At Elsternwick Park, Old Melburnians secured another hard-fought victory, defeating Old Xaverians by eight points in wet conditions.

The Omlettes struck early, with Bella Freeman and Zari Mildenhall kicking two first-quarter goals to take a 14-0 lead. From there, both sides struggled in the slippery conditions, with Old Xaverians’ Nikita Balic kicking the only goal of the remaining three quarters to bring the final margin back to eight.

Old Melburnians assistant coach Nic Stephens said another fast start proved the difference.

“Another similar game to last week – we had a really solid first quarter and then we were able to hold on through some strong pressure across the ground,” Stephens said.

Stephens was full of praise for his side’s ability to grind out the result despite not being at full strength.

“To see the girls still give a four-quarter effort and tough out a close win was really good for the team’s confidence.”

He highlighted Emma Harpur, Tamsyn Thorley and Charlotte Childs as emerging players who delivered their best performances of the season so far, while Clare Fraser, Emma Cafferkey and Zari Mildenhall continued their stellar form.

The match also marked a historic milestone, with Issy Rankin-Ward becoming the first Old Melburnians women’s player to reach 100 games.

“Issy had an absolute ripper game down at full back, stopping several goals that really helped us hold on,” said Stephens.

For Old Xaverians, coach Doug Greenough noted the wet conditions favoured the Omlettes’ ball handling, while acknowledging his side’s defence stood tall after a difficult first quarter.

Greenough also pointed to Old Melburnians’ structure behind the ball, and his own side’s inefficiency inside forward 50 as key drivers in the result.

Hannah Deane was consistent through the midfield, Monique Mennilli returned from overseas to find immediate form, and India Harries displayed great follow-up efforts in the ruck.

Glen Eira/Old McKinnon 2.8 (20) def by Williamstown CYMS 3.6 (24)

At Packer Park, Williamstown CYMS edged past Glen Eira/Old McKinnon by four points in a tight, low-scoring contest.

Glen Eira controlled territory early but couldn’t convert, kicking seven behinds in the opening half before managing a goal. Williamstown found the first major through Holly Naden in the second quarter before Cecilia McIntosh responded late in the term to reclaim the lead. 

A goal apiece in the third term saw the Gryphons take a three-point lead into the final change, but the CYs swung the momentum in their favour in the final term, with Lucy Hunkin kicking the only major of the quarter to seal victory by four points.

For Glen Eira, Eliza Morrison continued her impressive run of form, while Port Melbourne VFLW captain Olivia Barton proved a handy inclusion. Kate Grady stood out for the victors, with Holly Naden also impressing with two majors.

Beaumaris 10.20 (80) def Old Yarra Cobras 1.5 (11)

Beaumaris made it 13 wins on the trot with a commanding 69-point victory over Old Yarra at William St Reserve.

The Sharks’ inaccuracy was the only thing that softened the blow, with Beaumaris dominating territory from the opening bounce.

Despite registering just one goal in a wasteful first quarter, Beaumaris piled on four more in the second term to lead by 39 points at half-time.

The second half continued in a similar vein, with the Sharks adding five more goals while restricting the Cobras to a single major through Clare Moody.

Beaumaris coach Damian Farrow praised his side’s execution and cohesion.

“Our fundamentals were well executed, allowing us to dominate field position and provide plenty of goal-scoring opportunities,” Farrow said. “What was most pleasing was the team cohesion across the board.”

Fern O’Brien and Mackenzie Farrington each kicked three goals to lead the Sharks’ goalkicking, while Katelyn Randall, Ruby Raymond and Asha Smith were among the best.

For Old Yarra, Aoife Nic a Bhaird, Shayla Cleverly and Charlotte Coleman were the standouts in a difficult afternoon.

Port Melbourne Chargers 16.14 (110) def Parkside 3.0 (18)

The most one-sided result of the round came at JL Murphy Reserve, where Port Melbourne dismantled Parkside by 92 points.

The Chargers were ruthless from the opening bounce, kicking six first-quarter goals, with Chloe Kamberis and Georgia Smith each kicking two goals, plus Nikolette Atkin and Amelie Kamberis also hitting the scoreboard. This helped Port Melbourne race to a 31-point lead at quarter time.

Parkside’s lone response of the quarter came through Madison Katerelos.

From there, the Chargers were unstoppable. They added four more majors in the second term, extending the margin to 61 points at half-time, before continuing to pile on the goals in the second half to register their highest score of the season.

Port Melbourne coach Harriet Cooper was pleased with her side’s four-quarter execution.

“It came down to converting our opportunities in front of goal and maintaining strong defensive pressure across all four quarters,” Cooper said.

“We were able to capitalise on our momentum and keep the intensity high throughout the entire match.”

Cooper was particularly impressed with her side’s cohesion, praising the entire squad for playing with a genuine team-first attitude from start to finish.

For the undermanned Parkside outfit, it was a tough afternoon. Hannah Baird, Annabelle Crisp and Maisie Welsh competed hard throughout, while Madison Katerelos kicked three goals to claim second place in the goal-kicking tally.

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Next round, the finals race reaches fever pitch with three matches carrying significant implications.

Beaumaris host Old Xaverians in a rematch of their Round 8 two-point thriller, while Williamstown CYMS welcome Port Melbourne Chargers in a contest that could prove decisive in determining who claims a top-four spot.

Old Melburnians travel to Old Yarra Cobras looking to keep their grip on second, and Glen Eira/Old McKinnon host Parkside with both sides still mathematically in the finals hunt.