By Tash Gunawardana
PREMIER WOMEN’S DIVISION:
Vermont vs South Croydon Blue: South Croydon Blue were challenged by Vermont in the opening quarter, but their class was able to get them over the line by 23-points at Vermont Recreation Reserve. After quarter time, Vermont stayed within under two goals of South Croydon Blue, but in the final term South Croydon Blue nailed through the only two last quarter majors to run out victors. South Croydon Blue’s Taylah Black was pivotal with three goals and Brenda Lay was South Croydon Blue’s BOG. Catherine Chamberlain provided a lively forward target for Vermont with two goals and Sarah Gartland was adjudged Vermont’s best.
Blackburn Black vs Donvale Black: Donvale pushed Blackburn to the absolute limit on Saturday, as the Magpies looked to hand the Burners their first loss of the 2021 season, but despite four goals from Wendy Ng, the Vales were unable to blemish the Burners perfect record, with Blackburn running out winners by 16 points.
Chirnside Park Black – bye
DIVISION ONE WOMEN’S:
Ferntree Gully vs North Ringwood: Ferntree Gully secured a 25-point victory over North Ringwood at Wally Tew Reserve. It was the Abbey Broughan and Rebecca Lia show, with the Ferntree Gully forward duo slotting through three goals apiece. Ferntree Gully’s best player was Eleisha Perrett.
Park Orchards vs East Ringwood: Park Orchards were a class above East Ringwood running out 99-point winners at Domeney Reserve in front of their home fans. Park Orchards played the game on their terms for four quarters of football defensively and offensively. In the defensive department, Park Orchards managed to keep East Ringwood to 2.2, while in the forward half of the ground they nailed through 17.11. It was a morning to remember for Monique Trusler, who kicked the most goals for Park Orchards with four followed by Kaitlyn Rukavina with three goals and Isabelle Pollock, Georgie Searle and Penny Bowman all registered two goals each. In what was a perfect team performance, Jacky Hoser was Park Orchard’s best. Meanwhile, East Ringwood only had two goal scorers including Rebecca Gallaher and Stephanie McNamara and Jennifer Hicks (East Ringwood’s BOG).
The Basin vs Boronia Brown: Michaela Holford-Moss put on a masterclass steering The Basin to a 43-point win over Boronia Brown at Batterham Reserve. Holford-Moss scored six goals and was awarded The Basin’s BOG. It was an impressive defensive effort from The Basin, as they kept Boronia Brown to four goals while they kicked 11 goals. Boronia Brown’s Rachael Slater slotted through two majors, while Julia Bortoli was Boronia Brown’s best.
SBL Wolves vs Whitehorse Suns: Whitehorse Suns put on a superb defensive performance restricting SBL Wolves to three goals on their way to smashing them by 46-points at Belgrave South Recreation Reserve. Isabella Gietzmann was the standout for Whitehorse with seven goals and Brianna Holland was Whitehorse’s best player. SBL Wolves had only three individual goal kickers including Christie-Lee Chadwick, Olivia Flanagan and Nicole Cormack.
Berwick vs Rowville: Rowville caused the upset of round 11 in Division One defeating Berwick by 21-points at Edwin Flack Reserve. Berwick goal scorers were Jodie Bray and Courtney De Kroon. Meanwhile, Cassie Martin was best afield for Berwick.
DIVISION TWO WOMEN’S:
Heathmont vs Ringwood: Ringwood sent a strong message to the rest of Division Two with a monster 72-point victory over fourth-placed Heathmont at HE Parker Reserve. Heathmont were only able to record two points for the match, due to the remarkable defence from Ringwood. Ringwood’s Georgia Fairbairn was solid with five goals and Zoe Price was adjudged Ringwood’s BOG.
Knox vs Surrey Park: Knox produced the goods against Surrey Park by 42-points at Knox Gardens Reserve. Jorja Alexander was stellar with four majors and therefore came away with the best on ground honours for Knox. Alexander kicked four of Knox’s seven goals, which was an impressive individual performance up forward. Surrey Park’s Stephanie Hunt kicked her team’s only goal and Emily Cumming was Surrey Park’s best player.
Montrose vs Kilsyth: Montrose came hard at Kilsyth, but Kilsyth were able to hold on by nine-points at Montrose Recreation Reserve. It was a strong fightback from Montrose considering they were only able to score one point in the opening term , going on to kick four of the last seven goals in the match. The match for Montrose was lost essentially in the first half, because after half time they were playing catchup. Montrose left too much of a deficit to overcome late although they won the second half. For Kilsyth, Shae Dale (three goals) and Elise Hoole (two goals) combined with five. Rachel Hardy was Montrose’s only multiple goal kicker with two.
DIVISION THREE WOMEN’S:
Blackburn Red vs Chirnside Park Gold:
In what was a tight contest all afternoon, Chirnside Park Gold was able to run over the top of Blackburn Red by seven points at Morton Park. The lead changed hands at quarter time with Chirnside Park Gold ahead by four points, then Blackburn Red were up by two points at the main break and at three-quarter time Chirnside Park Gold led by nine points, which was the biggest margin of the match. It was any teams match at three quarter time, but credit to both teams’ defensive stocks for not allowing any goals to be scored in the final quarter. Chirnside Park Gold forwards Meghan Stephens (two goals) and Sarah Jones (two goals) combined with four goals each, while Alice D’Arcy was Chirnside Park Gold’s BOG.
Boronia Gold vs Coldstream: Finally, Boronia Gold are on the board in 2021 by 17-points over Coldstream at Tormore Reserve. It was a low scoring affair down at Boronia with only four goals being scored. More goals could have been scored if Boronia Gold kicked accurately, as they registered 3.8 and Coldstream recorded 1.3. Boronia Gold kept Coldstream goalless until three quarter time, but Coldstream eventually were able to hit the scoreboard with their first major in the last term. It was a good effort from Coldstream to keep Boronia Gold scoreless in the final quarter. Boronia Gold had three individual goal kickers including Emily Cahill, Stacey Ponton and Sarah Coates and Boronia Gold’s BOG was Ali Gottliebsen who gave it her all in only her second game. Coldstream’s only goal scorer was Nyomie Lagerwey-Allen (also her side’s best).
South Croydon Red vs FairPark: A solid outing from FairPark, as they were 27-point winners over South Croydon Red at Cheong Park. South Croydon Red were only able to score one goal in the match as Fair Park’s defensive unit were solid throughout and that goal was kicked in the opening term. Alana Prendergast booted through South Croydon Red’s only goal and South Croydon Red’s best was Emilie Fogarty. Sarah Birthisel was integral with two goals for FairPark, while Libby McNay was named Fair Park’s BOG.
Croydon North MLOC – bye