By Tash Gunawardana
Premier:
Vermont vs Blackburn Black: Blackburn Black were a class above Vermont, running away with the match by 54-points at Vermont Recreation Reserve. Chloe O’Malley and Renee Johns slotted through three goals each in a superb display up forward. It was tough going for Vermont, as they only managed to score their first major in the final term after being held to three points up until three quarter time. Vermont’s only goal was scored from the boot off Holly Flanagan and Holly Cullen was Vermont’s BOG.
Donvale Black vs Chirnside Park Black: Donvale Black caused the upset of the season downing the second placed Chirnside Park Black by a goal in a highly contested affair down at Donvale Reserve. Credit to the last placed Donvale Black on taking it right up to the quality that is Chirnside and getting over the line to secure their second victory of the season. Since coming back from lockdown, it has been slow going from Chirnside Park Black with them losing two in a row and they have not been able to play the way they would have liked to.
South Croydon – Bye
Division One:
Boronia Brown vs East Ringwood: A slow start did not bother Boronia Brown, as they still were able to overcome East Ringwood by 26-points at Tormore Reserve. Once Boronia Brown gained the edge in the contest, they did not look back scoring the last five goals of the match and keeping East Ringwood goalless. There was a complete shift in momentum after quarter time and East Ringwood had no answers to stopping Boronia Brown. Boronia Brown’s Shae Gee caused headaches for East Ringwood’s defence with four goals and was her side’s BOG. East Ringwood’s only two goals were scored via Stephanie McNamara and Dahlia Ali.
North Ringwood vs Berwick: It was a tough slugfest at Quambee Reserve with North Ringwood overcoming Berwick by the barest of margins, one point. The margin on the scoreboard was no more than six points all match with many lead changes throughout making for a great spectacle of women’s football. Although the game was tight, the scenario could have been a completely one-sided contest in favour of North Ringwood if they kicked accurately, as they had 4.18. Forward Sheridan Holland led the way for Berwick with two majors adding to her current goal season tally of 11 goals and Leila Hill was Berwick’s best player.
Whitehorse Suns vs Park Orchards: Whitehorse Suns were winners by 21-points proving too strong for Park Orchards at Springfield Park. It all just clicked in the forward 50 for Whitehorse Suns with three players including Morgan Khan, Isabella Gietzmann and Briana Holland contributing two goals apiece. Jamie Piperkos was adjudged best afield for Whitehorse Suns.
SBL Wolves vs The Basin: SBL Wolves pulled off one almighty 16-point win, becoming the first team to defeat The Basin this season at Belgrave South Recreation Reserve. From quarter number one, SBL Wolves were a team on a mission, and they did not allow The Basin to get into the contest at any stage during the match. It was a complete team performance from SBL Wolves to shut out The Basin and to do it in front of their home faithful would have been that tad more special. SBL Wolves kept The Basin goalless in the opening term and for the whole game they restricted them to two goals an incredible effort considering The Basin have averaged 73 points this season.
Rowville vs Ferntree Gully: Abbey Broughan steered Ferntree Gully to an 83-point smashing of Rowville at Seebeck Oval. Broughan (Ferntree Gully’s BOG) had a day out with eight goals and recorded her personal best this season in front of the big sticks. Lisa Walshe and Chloe Leipold also were solid for Ferntree Gully with three goals each. The difference on the scoreboard was only seven points in favour of Ferntree Gully, but after quarter time Ferntree Gully came out all guns blazing with the last 13 goals of the match and only allowed Rowville to score one point. With the victory, Ferntree Gully have rocketed to top spot on the Division One Women’s ladder.
Division Two:
Heathmont vs Surrey Park: Heathmont and Surrey Park left it all out there on Saturday with Heathmont edging out Surrey Park by a point at HE Parker Reserve. It was a hard slog all morning and early afternoon and was any teams match to be won at three quarter time with Heathmont up by two points. Surrey Park came hard at Heathmont in the final quarter, but credit to Heathmont for holding onto secure the hard fought one-point victory. Goal kickers for Surrey Park were Avemaria Malietoa-Brown, Emily Cumming, and Sarah Goucher with one goal to their name. Cumming was awarded Surrey Park’s best on ground.
Ringwood vs Montrose: Ringwood were 63-point victors over Montrose, extending its undefeated streak to eight at Jubilee Park. It is hard to believe that Montrose were only down by four points at quarter time, with Ringwood turning it on after the first break, blasting through 9.5, while keeping Montrose scoreless. It was a masterclass from Ringwood as Gabrielle King (two goals), Georgia Fairbairn (two goals) and Nicole Stagg (two goals) combined with six goals. King tried gave it her all and was rewarded with her side’s BOG.
Kilsyth vs Knox: Kilsyth were victorious by 16-points against Knox at Pinks Reserve. Kilsyth led at every change. To Knox’s credit they kept on coming with three goals, but the first half was where Kilsyth won the match with three goals to one. Elise Hoole was the standout Kilsyth forward with four majors. Meanwhile, Kristen O’Neill was Knox’s only multiple goal scorer with two majors and club legend Nikki Whitten was Knox’s best player.
Division Three:
Croydon North MLOC vs Boronia Gold: What a performance it was from Croydon North MLOC on their home deck at Hughes Park, they completely obliterated Boronia Gold by 123 points. Croydon North registered 17.21 in a sensational attacking display of women’s football. Gabrielle Zappia starred with six goals for Croydon North and now she has 16 goals in the season. Zappia was not the only Croydon North standout with Vanessa Nolan awarded with best on ground honours. Boronia Gold’s defence were taught a lesson, but they will be better for it and Boronia Gold’s Stacey Ponton put her body on the line for and was her team’s BOG.
South Croydon Red vs Chirnside Park Gold: In the match of the round, South Croydon Red showed Chirnside Park Gold they will take some beating this year winning by 10-points at Kimberley Reserve. It was a tightly contested match all afternoon and Chirnside Park Gold did have a slight two-point advantage at the main break, but in the second half South Croydon Red took the game up a notch with five goals to three to secure a strong victory. Alana Prendergast and Ruby Kelly (South Croydon’s BOG) slotted through two goals each for South Croydon Red. For Chirnside Park Gold, Meghan Stephens gave it her all up forward with two majors – she currently has 15 goals in the season – and Melissa Eames was adjudged Chirnside Park Gold’s best.
Coldstream vs Blackburn Red: Blackburn Red brought home the chocolates by 32-points over Coldstream at Coldstream Reserve. It was all Blackburn Red with them scoring six goals to Coldstream’s one. Terri Price led the way for Blackburn Red and was the game’s only multiple goal kickers with two. Coldstream’s only goal was scored by Kerri Thompson in the third term and Bree Pascoe was stellar being awarded with best on ground honours for the third time this season.
Fairpark – bye