Round 15 is in the books, with two games decided by just a goal. Three teams are in the box seat for second position, while Aquinas and Wattle Park are just one game away from top spot.
It’s a logjam in the middle of the ladder, with Old Xavs sitting on 36 points. Canterbury and MUWFC are locked on 28 points, as Albert Park and Brunswick sit just behind them on 26 points.
Brunswick and Mazenod have found strong form at the right time, each winning their past three matches.
Brunswick 1.4 (10) def by Aquinas 2.3 (15)
The round commenced at Gillon Oval, where Aquinas recorded a five-point victory to secure their 10th win of the season and move into second place on the ladder.
Abby Guerin and Asher De Klijn both hit the scoreboard for Aquinas, kicking one goal each.
Aquinas coach Phil Box was delighted with the way his side fought hard to wrestle back momentum throughout the course of the game.
“Brunswick took the initiative and ascendancy early in the contest with their pressure and sure hands,” he said.
“A match that close can be a bit of a flip of a coin, so to be on the good side of a tight match after several near misses this season was a nice feeling.”
“Our best players were Ash Broderick, Indi Clarke, Sarah Steiner, Asher De Klijn and Alovi Gomes.”
Best
Brunswick: Jolyn Collins, Liliana Jaques, Meadhbh Larkin, Emily Molnar, Rubee-Leigh Poata, Lucy Scott
Aquinas: Ash Broderick, Indi Clarke, Sarah Steiner, Alovi Gomes, Tia Steen, Dianna Haines
Mazenod 3.7 (25) def Canterbury 3.1 (19)
Mazenod have won three games in a row, securing their eleventh win of the season with an epic six-point victory over Canterbury at Central Reserve.
The Nodders kicked the only goal of the opening quarter through Amy Ivers. Canterbury started the second term strongly, kicking an early goal before Bridget Hollard answered for Mazenod, extending their lead to eight points at half-time.
Iliana Skantzos kicked the only goal of the third quarter for Mazenod, pushing the margin out to 18 points at three-quarter time.
To Canterbury’s credit, the visitors finished strongly, kicking two goals in the final quarter and putting the pressure back on Mazenod.
From there, the Nodders held their composure in the closing stages to seal an impressive six-point victory.
Bridget Hollard, Amy Ivers and Iliana Skantzos all hit the scoreboard, kicking one goal each and Mazenod Coach Matt Foale was pleased with this type of win, but noted his side still have a lot to build on.
“It was a good hard fought gritty win. Despite having territory dominance, we were inaccurate and inefficient in our forward 50, and it kept the door open for Canterbury, nine scoring shots to one at three quarter time.
“Canterbury came hard late and made it a one score game with five minutes to go, playing for their season, it was finals like intensity. We held on and took the points, I was really proud of the resilience and determination our team showed when under pressure, they’ll learn a lot from that challenge.”
Best
Mazenod: Emily Skrzyniarz, Belinda De Blasio, Caitlin Shaw, Zoe Hayden, Erin Hopkins, Annabelle Davies-Todd
Canterbury: Kelly Keith, Kiara Bloomfield, Heather Glennie, Zoe Choo, Briana Thompson
Wattle Park 3.3 (21) def Fitzroy 0.0 (0)
Wattle Park bounced back onto the winners’ list, recording their ninth win of the season with a 21-point victory over Fitzroy, moving into third place on the ladder.
After an even opening quarter with neither side able to score, Wattle Park found their first major of the game in the second term.
The visitors then added a goal in both the third and fourth quarters to secure the four points.
Emily Severin finished the game with two goals, while Lucy Eales added one major.
Wattle Park coach Mel Dell’Olio was delighted with his side’s bounce-back victory and praised both teams for playing the game in terrific spirits.
“After an even first quarter, we got our noses in front in the second quarter and steadily increased our intensity throughout the second half,” he said.
“Big shoutout to Chloe Wolley, who came in to play her first game for the year after a serious injury last season.
“Caity Power volunteered and played an unfamiliar role with great determination and our ruck trio of Maddy Mazar, Tegan Murphy and Emily Severin brought brilliant energy to each stoppage.”
Best
Wattle Park: Lucy Eales, Emily Severin, Madeleine Mazar, Tegan Murphy, Ebony Ratcliffe, Georgie Dillon
Fitzroy: Nell Washington, Rhiannon Fraiia, Eilish Wallace, Ruby Thompson, Pippi Aucar, Lili Fan
North Brunswick 3.11 (29) def Old Xaverians 0.3 (3)
North Brunswick caused a major upset to create further havoc in the top five, securing their fifth win of the season with a 26-point victory over Old Xaverians.
The Bulls kicked the opening two goals of the game through Ruby-Rose Gibson-Haywood, giving the home side a 15-point lead at quarter-time.
Neither side was able to score in the second term, with both teams bringing plenty of intensity and defensive pressure. Much of the same continued in the third quarter, with the tackling pressure remaining high.
Katie Rogers kicked the only goal of the final quarter to seal the victory for the home side and secure the four points.
North Brunswick coach Jake Barclay was delighted with his side’s win, having expected a tough contest against Old Xaverians.
“To Old Xavs’ credit, they brought it. We did a lot of work during the week and planned to be physical and beat them around the contest and thankfully we got on top of them,” he said.
“Ruby Gibson-Haywood was a standout, her presence across half forward was unreal taking a couple of big marks and converting.
“Other standouts were Anne Spain, who is our player from Ireland who barely knows the rules but has been unbelievable crossing codes and transferring her skills across.
“A standout for the day was Katie Rogers scoring her first goal. It was a great moment when the team got around them.”
Best
North Brunswick: Ruby-Rose Gibson-Haywood, Anne Spain, Cass Robertson, Ella Robinson, Cassie Muscat, Katie Rogers
Old Xaverians: Emma Sheedy, Isabella Gale, Private player, Molly Blood, Zahli Burgess, India Harries
MUWFC 3.2 (20) def by Albert Park 5.4 (34)
The round concluded with a Sunday afternoon blockbuster, as Albert Park recorded their sixth win of the season defeating MUWFC by 14 points and move into seventh place on the ladder.
Albert Park made the perfect start, kicking four goals in the opening quarter. To the Mugars’ credit, the home side lifted their defensive intensity in the second term, restricting the Falcons to just one behind while kicking their first goal of the game. Albert Park held a 20-point lead at half-time.
Both teams kicked one goal apiece in the third quarter. Despite a tightly contested final term, MUWFC kicked the only goal of the quarter, but the Falcons held on to secure the victory.
Rhiann O’Donnell was instrumental in front of goal with two majors, while Zoe Dragoi, Amy Smyth and Cassidy Houston each finished with one goal.
Best
MUWFC: Emma Hallissey, Daisy Sudholz, Jacinta Cole, Mickey Gostencnik, Bridget Hudson, Asha Price
Albert Park: Vanessa Gan, Ashlea Wilson, Rhiann O’Donnell, Bonnie Grining, Emma Sullivan, Amy Smyth
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