Chargers end Sharks unbeaten run as OMs storm home – Premier B Women’s Round 15 Review

Round 15 of Premier B Women’s produced the result of the season, with Port Melbourne Chargers inflicting Beaumaris’ first defeat of the year in emphatic fashion.

Old Melburnians overturned a five-goal deficit to break Parkside hearts, Old Xaverians held on in another nail-biter against Williamstown CYMS, and Old Yarra Cobras ground out a defensive win over Glen Eira/Old McKinnon.

Old Yarra Cobras 3.10 (28) def Glen Eira/Old McKinnon 1.3 (9)

At Doncaster Reserve, Old Yarra recorded their fourth win of the season with a defensive masterclass over Glen Eira/Old McKinnon.

Wasteful in front of goal but relentless in their pressure, the Cobras kicked 1.6 in the opening term yet still held Glen Eira scoreless to lead by 12 points at the first change.

Alannah Murray was the difference up forward, kicking all three of Old Yarra’s goals as the Cobras controlled the contest throughout.

The Gryphons, whose finals hopes had already been extinguished, could manage only a single goal for the afternoon and were unable to find a way through the home side’s stingy back half.

The result caps a strong finish to the season for Old Yarra, who have now won three of their last four games after a difficult start to the year. This run of form reflects the growth of a young and developing playing group.

Port Melbourne Chargers 8.6 (54) def Beaumaris 2.4 (16)

The headline result came at JL Murphy Reserve, where Port Melbourne brought Beaumaris’ perfect season to a crashing halt, downing the previously unbeaten ladder leaders by 38 points.

The Chargers appeared hungrier from the opening bounce, with the ball living in their forward half for the majority of the first quarter.

Tanisha Clark drew first blood after being rewarded for a run-down tackle, and from there Port Melbourne never relinquished control. Amelie Kamberis was a strong presence in the air throughout the second term, rewarded with two goals, as the Chargers extended their advantage to 29-2 at half-time.

Beaumaris, who came into the match with limited rotations, could not stem the tide, managing just two goals.

Beaumaris coach Damian Farrow was blunt in his assessment.

“Port brought the intensity and we didn’t, they were too good,” Farrow said.

Despite the result, Farrow was pleased his side never dropped their heads.

“We kept fighting despite not bridging the gap.”

Farrow singled out Anna Sutcliffe, who was terrific in a defensive role on competition leading goal-kicker Georgia Harris and kept her goalless, along with Piper Phelan through the midfield.

For the Chargers, Georgia Smith was best-on-ground with three goals, while Amelie Kamberis, Chloe Kamberis, Jemima Ross and Zara Wilson were all influential in a complete team performance.

Parkside 9.5 (59) def by Old Melburnians 10.4 (64)

Meanwhile at Pitcher Park, Old Melburnians produced a stunning comeback to defeat Parkside by five points, in a high-scoring thriller.

Parkside came out firing, kicking five goals in a blistering opening term to establish a 31-point lead at quarter-time, with Chloe Kodagoda and the Mayne sisters causing all sorts of problems for the Omlettes.

Old Melburnians chipped away through the second term to bring the margin back to 14 points heading into the second half.

The Omlettes’ half-time process might need to be studied, as they flipped the contest on its head in the first ten minutes of the third term with a five-goal blitz.

Now trailing by 16 points, Parkside refused to lie down, hitting back with three goals late in the third to regain a three-point lead.

Old Melburnians steadied again in the final term with early majors to Harriet Kogler and Emma Harpur, allowing them to wind down the clock.

Old Melburnians assistant coach Nic Stephens said his side was made to work hard for the result.

“Parkside came out red hot from the start and really put the pressure on us early… any time I thought we were about to pull away they lifted and kept it close. I think what managed to get us over the line in the end was just getting back to our basics and executing them well.”

Stephens noted it was the first time since Round 9 that his starting midfield had been back together, and was thrilled with the lack of complacency shown by his side, despite their top-two position already being locked in.

“To see them all really dig in and show everyone how much every game means to them was super pleasing.”

Emma Harpur continued her impressive debut season, while Emma Cafferkey’s five-goal haul highlighted her purple patch of form, coming at the perfect time. Harriet Kogler with two goals, Georgia Dunlop, Zari Mildenhall and Caitlyn Bayley were also among the best.

Despite the loss, Parkside coach Anthony Romano was proud of his side’s efforts, but acknowledged their lapse in the third quarter cost them.

“It was a good hard-fought match. Our first half was solid with lots of pressure and run, we moved the ball so well,” Romano said.

Chloe Kodagoda kicked four goals, while Annabelle Crisp and Maisie Welsh were Parkside’s standouts.

Old Xaverians 4.3 (27) def Williamstown CYMS 3.6 (24)

At Basil Reserve, Old Xaverians kept their finals hopes firmly alive with a three-point victory over Williamstown CYMS in a tense, physical affair.

With both sides competing for the final spot in the top four, it shaped as a virtual elimination final, and it played out like one. Neither side could break clear, with the lead changing hands and the margin never stretching beyond a couple of goals.

Xavs hit the scoreboard first, with Marli Russell contributing a goal to level the scores midway through the opening term before the CYs took a 14-7 lead at quarter-time.

Old Xaverians responded through Lia Siniakov and Jess Slupecki in the second term to nudge in front, and from there the two sides traded blows in a contest that came down to the wire.

A Siniakov goal in the third gave the Xavs a nine-point buffer, and although Jess Court pulled one back for Williamstown early in the final term, Old Xaverians’ backline held firm to secure a crucial win.

Old Xaverians coach Doug Greenough was full of praise for his side’s resolve.

“Our pressure around the contest was some of the best of the season. Our backline once again stood up and kept us in the game… Williamstown were very efficient in transitioning the ball out of our defence which made life difficult,” Greenough said.

Greenough was also pleased with his group’s ability to perform under pressure and play for each other.

Hannah Deane continued her outstanding recent form, while Annabelle Gangi impressed across half-forward and Poppy Lawrance won plenty of the ball in a high-pressure contest.

---

The final home-and-away round is all about fourth spot. With Old Xaverians and Williamstown CYMS locked together on 28 points and separated by a sliver of percentage. Both know a finals berth is on the line.

Elsewhere Old Xavs face Glen Eira/Old McKinnon, while the CYs take on Old Yarra, and neither can afford a slip-up.

Finally, Old Melburnians and Port Melbourne Chargers face off in what looms as a finals preview, while Beaumaris will look to bounce back against Parkside.