Three teams tied in top two battle – Division 4 Women’s Round 14 Review

Round 14 is in the books, with three teams still in contention for second place. Aquinas, Old Xaverians and Wattle Park are all locked on 36 points. Meanwhile, the race for fifth remains wide open, with Canterbury and MUWFC level on 28 points and Brunswick close behind on 26.

Albert Park 2.3 (15) def by Brunswick 6.6 (42)

The round commenced at Bill Woodfull Oval, where Brunswick recorded a 27-point victory to secure their sixth win of the season and move up to seventh on the ladder.

Brunswick kicked two goals in the opening quarter and added another major in the second before Ashlea Wilson scored Albert Park’s first goal of the game, leaving Brunswick with a 13-point lead at half-time.

Rhiann O’Donnell kicked the only goal of the third quarter to cut Brunswick’s lead to seven points at the final break.

Brunswick finished strongly, kicking three goals in the final term to seal the 27-point win.

The goals were shared throughout the team, with Meadhbh Larkin, Emily Molnar, Euphemia Gannon, Cobie Farmer, Han DeBuhr and Jolyn Collins all finishing with one goal each.

Brunswick coach Amy Lee was pleased with her side’s ability to play the Renegades’ brand of football, built on pressure and a team-first approach.

“The moment that summed up the day came when Cobie delivered a selfless kick to Handy, who finished with a beautiful goal. It was pure team spirit,” she said.

“Through the middle, the Shady-Goodes combination was unstoppable, cracking in at every contest, while our seamless three-ruck rotation of Sienna, Phee and Meg gave the Renegades first use and control at the stoppages.

“Our defensive unit stood tall. Their focus all season has been shutting teams down early, and today it all clicked.”

“It was also a milestone moment. Dash celebrated their first Renegades victory, and Shady claimed the Spark Jacket after embodying the work rate and toughness in the midfield that defined the match.”

“It was a complete performance, a united effort and a win the Renegades should be incredibly proud of.”

Best

Albert Park: Vanessa Gan, Rachel Souter, Amy Smyth, Bridget Turner, Rhiann O’Donnell, Bonnie Grining

Brunswick: Cobie Farmer, Emily Goode, Meadhbh Larkin, Morgyn McCarthy Harding, Emily Molnar, Rubee-Leigh Poata

Mazenod 7.15 (57) def North Brunswick 1.2 (8)

Mazenod secured their 10th win of the season with a dominant 49-point victory over North Brunswick at Central Reserve, reclaiming top spot on the ladder.

The Nodders made the perfect start, with Iliana Skantzos, Zoe Spicer and Stephanie Smith all kicking goals in the opening quarter. They continued to control proceedings in the second term as Iliana Skantzos and Amy Ivers added two more majors to extend the lead to 28 points at the main break.

To North Brunswick’s credit, they worked hard after half-time, applying fierce pressure around the contest and preventing Mazenod from adding to their tally in the final quarter.

However, the damage had already been done, with Alicia Basham and Iliana Skantzos hitting the scoreboard in the third term to help seal the convincing 49-point victory.

Iliana Skantzos was instrumental in front of goal with three majors, while Alicia Basham, Amy Ivers, Zoe Spicer and Stephanie Smith each finished with one.

Best

Mazenod: Stephanie Smith, Laura Gartland, Rebecca Allen, Amy Ivers, Grace Di Petta, Katherine Pseftoudis

North Brunswick: N/A

Old Xaverians 7.6 (48) def Wattle Park 4.9 (33)

Old Xaverians recorded their ninth win of the season with a hard-fought 15-point victory over Wattle Park at Greythorn Park, moving into third place on the ladder.

It was a tightly contested opening quarter, with Old Xaverians kicking three goals to Wattle Park’s one to take an early advantage.

The Animals lifted their tackling pressure in the second term, denying Old Xavs any scoring opportunities. However, the Xavs maintained an eight-point lead at the main break.

Phoebe Cincera got the scoring underway early in the third quarter before Emily Severin reduced the margin back to eight points.

While the contest became a grind through the middle stages of the term, Adele Nucara responded for Old Xavs to extend the lead to 13 points at the final break.

Wattle Park struck first in the final quarter, kicking two goals to cut the margin to just one point. However, Ruby Vanden Boom and Praan Kulnides answered with crucial majors to seal a hard-fought 15-point victory.

Chloe Bonnett, Adele Nucara, Charli Wapshott, Ruby Vanden Boom, Phoebe Cincera, Mia Wapshott and Praan Kulnides all finished with one goal each.

Old Xaverians coach Gabby Golds was pleased with her side’s ability to work hard across all four quarters and hold their nerve when the scores were tight.

“Wattle Park threw everything they had at us and came out firing in the last quarter,” she said.

“Our determination and confidence got us over the line in a really tight contest.

“Emma Sheedy was outstanding in the backline, while Phoebe Cincera, Charli Wapshott and Mia Wapshott were terrific through the midfield and up forward.

“Chloe Bonnett also played an outstanding game alongside Annabelle White.”

Best

Old Xaverians: Emma Sheedy, Charli Wapshott, Mia Wapshott, Phoebe Cincera, Chloe Bonnett, Annabelle White

Wattle Park: Grace Ambrosini, Jemima Clancy, Ebony Ratcliffe, Lucy Eales, Georgie Dillon, Holly Knight

Aquinas 10.5 (65) def Canterbury 3.9 (27)

Aquinas recorded their ninth win of the season with a 38-point victory over Canterbury at JW Manson Reserve.

Canterbury kicked the opening goal of the game before Aquinas responded through Abby Guerin, Chelsea Delbridge and Emily Box, who each found the scoreboard in the opening quarter.

Box added two more goals in the second term, while Rhiannon Walch also hit the scoreboard to extend Aquinas’ lead to 20 points at half-time.

Aquinas continued to build their advantage after the main break, with Meg Dargan kicking two third-quarter goals. Canterbury managed one major of their own, but Aquinas still held a 26-point lead at the final break.

The visitors finished strongly, with Abby Guerin adding two final-quarter goals to seal the 38-point victory.

Guerin and Box were the standout performers in front of goal, finishing with three majors apiece. Dargan kicked two goals, while Chelsea Delbridge and Rhiannon Walch each added one.

Aquinas coach Phil Box was delighted with his side’s efforts.

“With many of our past Women’s premiership players present we were really pleased to put in a real four-quarter performance,” he said.

“It was nice to have a spread of goalkickers for our 10 goals in a great team effort.

“10 tackles and three goals from Abby Guerin was a highlight and Molly Licciardi repelled many a strong Canterbury attack in a typically determined four-quarter display.”

Best

Aquinas: Molly Licciardi, Hannah Jones, Meg Dargan, Abby Guerin, Ash Broderick, Chelsea Delbridge

Canterbury: Danielle Calvisi, Kiara Bloomfield, Clara Reiger, Lauren Bailey, Isabella Tipper, Briana Thompson

Fitzroy 0.5 (5) def MUWFC 3.6 (24)

The round concluded with MUWFC recording their seventh win of the season, defeating Fitzroy by 19 points at W.T. Peterson Oval to move up to sixth on the ladder.

While neither side managed a goal in the opening quarter, both teams brought strong intensity around the contest.

The Mugars broke the deadlock in the second term with the only goal of the quarter to take a five-point lead into the main break.

To Fitzroy’s credit, they kept MUWFC goalless after three-quarter-time, but the visitors did enough to hold on for the 19-point victory.

Best

Fitzroy: Eilish Wallace, Pippi Aucar, Rhiannon Fraiia, Evie Deasey, Aspen Wagner, Olivia Phillips

MUWFC: Daisy Sudholz, Mickey Gostencnik, Emma Hallissey, Molly Jeans Roberts, Private player, Alexis Koufidis