Ormond climb to top spot as finals places remain up for grabs

Round 14 delivered one of the biggest weekends of the Division 1 Women’s season, with the race for the double chance taking another twist.

Ormond surged to the top of the ladder after knocking off the previously unbeaten Marcellin, while Power House continued to build momentum with a dominant victory over Oakleigh.

Old Carey produced a stirring final-quarter comeback to edge La Trobe, and Whitefriars ground out a hard-fought win over Monash Blues in a low-scoring contest.

Old Carey 3.3 (21) def La Trobe 2.5 (17)

Old Carey produced a determined final-quarter comeback, trailing at the final change before claiming a four-point victory over La Trobe.

With the game hanging in the balance entering the final term, the Panthers tightened up defensively.

The home side held La Trobe scoreless in the last quarter before kicking the decisive goal to secure a valuable four premiership points.

Rose Chiaramonte proved the difference inside forward 50, booting two of Old Carey’s three goals, while Sadie Chun also found the scoreboard to help lift her side over the line.

Francesca Anderson led the way for the Panthers and was well supported by Lucy Wynne, Chloe Grisinski, Lia Kelvie and Ally Forrest in an even team performance.

For La Trobe, Teresa D’Angelo and Matilda Wilson each kicked a goal, while Claire Wilson, Stephanie Castagnini and Eve Conlan battled hard throughout the contest.

Jessica Lowry and Yasmine Budic were also among the Trobers’ best despite the narrow defeat.

Oakleigh 3.0 (18) def by Power House 10.9 (69)

Power House produced another dominant performance, breaking the game open with a commanding third quarter to defeat Oakleigh by 51 points.

After a competitive first half, Power House took complete control following the main break, dominating field position and capitalising on their opportunities to pile on seven second-half goals and continue their impressive run into finals.

Lauren Boyle was unstoppable in attack, producing a match-winning six-goal performance to further strengthen her position among the league’s leading goalkickers.

Joelly Firmin added two majors, while Maebh Maher and Zoe Uwland also contributed goals.

Grace Read controlled the contest through the midfield and was named among Power House’s best alongside Boyle, Firmin, Georgia McHolmes, Sinead Doorley and Rebecca Foley.

Oakleigh managed three goals through Eva Armatas, Kaitlyn Sidopoulos and Samantha Warlond, while Lorri Gunn, Lily Firth, Olivia Pietralla, Sienna Bernardo, Jordyn Bethune and Georgie Nancarrow continued to compete despite the scoreboard margin.

Marcellin 1.0 (6) def by Ormond 5.6 (36)

Ormond claimed arguably their biggest win of the season, defeating previous ladder leaders Marcellin by 30 points to move to the top of the Division 1 Women’s ladder.

In a contest between two premiership contenders, scores were hard to come by early, before Ormond took complete control after half-time.

The Monders held Marcellin to just one goal for the afternoon while producing a dominant second half to claim a crucial victory with finals approaching.

Indiana Harrison and Maddi Wilson each finished with two goals in influential performances, while Isabella Gietzmann added another major to extend her lead atop the Division 1 Women’s goalkicking table with 26 goals for the season.

Arcadia Diaz was outstanding for Ormond, while Olivia Steinfort, Tayla McAlroy, Eliza Cooper, Victoria Kovacevic and Maddi Wilson were all instrumental in the ladder-defining victory.

Marcellin battled hard throughout the afternoon, with Jennae Wakefield kicking the Eagles’ only goal. Georgina Robertson, Olivia Frost, Imogen Kendal, Anja Anderson, Hayley Harley and Tania Carpinteri were among the side’s better performers.

Monash Blues 1.5 (11) def by Whitefriars 2.8 (20)

Whitefriars overcame a wasteful day in front of goal to record a gritty nine-point victory over Monash Blues.

Both sides found scoring difficult throughout the afternoon, with accuracy proving the biggest challenge as the match developed into a defensive battle.

Despite kicking more behinds than goals, the Friars created enough opportunities to claim an important four points.

Carly Notting was the difference in attack, kicking both of Whitefriars’ goals to lead her side to victory.

Notting was also named among the Friars’ best alongside Kaitlyn Wallace, Elisha Wain, Ariane Webber, Kate Mason and Georgie Kirkwood.

For Monash Blues, Molly McFarlane kicked the side’s only goal, while Emily Conroy, Ruby Hancock, Kirrily Bruce, Caitlin Williams, Vimani Jayawantha and Emily Chea all worked tirelessly in the narrow defeat.