Top 4 take control – Division 1 Women’s Round 14 Review

With just two rounds remaining in the home-and-away season, the Division 1 Women’s finals picture has become much clearer, with the top four now locked in.

It was another weekend of entertaining football, with the remaining rounds set to determine the finishing order and who earns the all-important double chance.

Power House 8.7 (55) def Old Carey 2.5 (17)

Power House continued their impressive season with a convincing 38-point victory over Old Carey, strengthening their spot inside the top four.

The home side controlled the contest from start to finish, with Lauren Boyle and Emma Doorley finishing with two goals each in the win.

Rebecca Foley, Lisa McCombs, Sarah Dolan and Meabh Maher also added a goal each as Power House consistently found avenues to attack.

Rebecca Foley was influential throughout the afternoon and was named among the side’s best alongside Grace Read, Doorley, Abbie Scannell, Sarah Dolan and Caoilfhionn Culliton.

Old Carey continued to fight despite the result, with Francesca Anderson leading the way. Rose Chiaramonte, Lucy Wynne, Maya Seabury, Zara Purcell and Chloe Grisinski also battled hard throughout the contest.

Oakleigh 5.2 (32) def by Monash Blues 10.3 (63)

Monash Blues further cemented their place among the competition’s leading teams with a strong 31-point victory over Oakleigh.

After an even opening, the Blues gained control through the middle stages and never looked back.

Hannah Konstanty was a constant threat inside forward 50, finishing with three goals, while Ruby Rosas chipped in with two.

Sydney Lock, Rhi Hetherington, Sarah-Jade Rose, Caitlin Williams and Vimani Jayawantha all contributed with a major as Monash spread their scoreboard impact across the ground.

Ruby Hancock was outstanding in the victory, while Emily Conroy, Sarah-Jade Rose, Konstanty, Jayawantha and Charlotte Fowler were all important contributors.

The Krushers remained competitive throughout the afternoon, with Romy Klooger kicking two goals to be her side’s leading scorer. Jennifer Francis, Kaitlyn Sidopoulos and Jasmine Ballestrin also found the goals, while Klooger, Sienna Bernardo, Lorri Gunn, Olivia Pietralla, Georgie Nancarrow and Francis were recognised among the side’s best performers.

Ormond 8.1 (49) def Whitefriars 4.8 (32)

Ormond continued their strong campaign with a hard-fought 17-point win over Whitefriars, thanks largely to a dominant individual performance from Isabella Gietzmann.

Gietzmann booted five of Ormond’s eight goals in the victory. Maddi Wilson also made an important contribution with two goals, while Nina Coghill added the other.

Gietzmann’s match-winning display saw her named best afield, with Michaela Di Lecce, Olivia Steinfort, Tayla McAlroy, Wilson and Madison Harrison all played key roles in the win.

Despite the defeat, Whitefriars created plenty of opportunities but struggled to capitalise in front of goal. Meave Bohanna kicked two goals, while Carly Notting and Andrea Belmonte also hit the scoreboard.

Claire Sullivan was Whitefriars’ standout performer and was well supported by Cassie Bruce, Caitlin Ryan, Ariane Webber, Elisha Wain and Bohanna.

Marcellin 6.14 (50) def La Trobe University 0.3 (3)

Marcellin rounded out the weekend with one of the most dominant defensive displays of the season, holding La Trobe University to just three behinds in a comprehensive 47-point victory.

While Marcellin finished with an inaccurate 6.14, they controlled the game from the outset and limited La Trobe’s opportunities.

The goals were shared across the side, with T Zagontinos, Laura Robertson, Alana Pane, Stephanie Bridge, Jennae Wakefield and Charlotte McGilp each kicking one major.

Charlotte McGilp starred in the victory and was well supported by Tessa Ramsay, Robertson, Zagontinos, Tess Menzies and Bridge.

For La Trobe, Kaitlyn Ritchie, Jessica Lowry, Claire Wilson, Ineka Hart, Ellen Brasier and Monica Toscano continued to compete strongly despite the difficult afternoon.

With just two rounds remaining before finals, attention now turns to the battle for ladder positions. Although the four finalists have been confirmed, every result from here will shape the finals match-ups as teams look to build momentum heading into September.