By Tash Gunawardana
Premier Division:
Blackburn Black extended their undefeated streak with a massive win over Whitehorse, while Vermont took home the four points easily against Donvale Black and Chirnside Black and South Croydon Blue fought out a nail biter to close the round.
Vermont vs Donvale Black:
Evie Allman steered Vermont to a 40-point victory over Donvale Black at Vermont Recreation Reserve. Allman was unstoppable putting on a show up forward with seven goals. An incredible start to the season for Allman, as she already has 17 goals to her name. It was a tight contest up until half time with Vermont only leading by a goal, but in the third quarter Vermont booted four goals and kept Donvale Black goalless. Vermont put on a mighty performance showing why they are one of the premier teams of the Premier Division. Vermont’s best was Madeline Johns and Donvale’s best was Shannon Fraser.
Blackburn Black vs Whitehorse Suns:
Blackburn Black were a class above Whitehorse Suns winning by 103-points at Morton Park. It was a masterclass from the ladder leaders Blackburn Black Serena Kuo leading the way with seven goals with Amelia Dawborn and Ellie Cleland contributing four and three goals respectively. Blackburn Black jumped out of the gates with four goals and then kicked another five goals in the second term to put an exclamation mark on a superb opening half. It was another strong showing from Blackburn Black in the second half, as they scored seven goals. In a trying afternoon for her club, Elizabeth Bonnett kicked Whitehorse’s only goal of the match and it came in the first quarter.
South Croydon Blue vs Chirnside Park Black:
The last match of the round went down to the finish line with Chirnside Park getting over South Croydon Blue by three points at Cheong Park. South Croydon Blue was the better team in the first three quarters and Chirnside Park Black just kept on wearing South Croydon down. Eventually Chirnside Park Black took the lead in the final quarter and were able to hold on. South Croydon Blue had no multiple goal kickers, as Katie Shanahan, Jaimee-Lee Morrow, Taylah Black and Jaimee Field contributed a goal each. Chirnside Park Black’s Zoe Alston and Leah Oswald kicked two goals apiece. Sarah O’Toole was South Croydon Blue’s BOG, while Oswald was Chirnside Park Black’s BOG.
Division One:
Berwick vs North Ringwood:
Berwick hammered North Ringwood by 41-points at Edwin Flack Reserve. The newcomers Berwick continue to show that they are up for the challenge against any team in Division One. Berwick’s Courtney De Kroon added two goals to her season tally, which stands now at five goals. Montana Mazzagatti received best on ground honours for Berwick and Chelsea Van Unen was North Ringwood’s best player.
Ferntree Gully vs Park Orchards:
A second half turnaround from Ferntree Gully helped to guide them home by 22-points over a valiant Park Orchards. It was a game of two halves with Park Orchards the team with all of the momentum and holding a slight advantage on the scoreboard in the opening half before Ferntree Gully turned their fortunes around and played the match on their terms leading at every change in the second half. Ferntree Gully’s Rebecca Lia starred with four majors and Nicole Guy was Ferntree Gully’s BOG.
East Ringwood vs Rowville:
What a Saturday morning it was to remember for East Ringwood with them finally breaking through with their first victory of the season by six points over Rowville Hawks at Ainslie Park, culminating in a shot after the siren to seal it for the Roos. From the onset, you could see East Ringwood had come to play on their home track with them narrowing the margin back at every change and not allowing Rowville to kick away. Teagan Hudson was the leading target in the forward line for East Ringwood slotting through two goals.
Boronia Brown vs The Basin:
The Basin are still undefeated after defeating Boronia Brown by a whopping 54-points at Tormore Reserve. Although, The Basin won by a huge margin, they took till the third quarter to kick into gear with five goals and then two goals in the final term. It was an impressive defensive effort from the top team in Division One only allowing Boronia Brown to score their first goal in the last quarter. Julia Baker (The Basin’s best player) had an evening to remember nailing through six goals and now she has 14 goals from the season so far. Boronia Brown’s April Glare contributed her side’s only goal of the match and teammate Sheridan Faull was Boronia’s best.
SBL Wolves – Bye
Division Two:
Heathmont vs Kilsyth:
In the standalone Friday night clash, Kilsyth earnt a hard fought 13-point win over Heathmont at HE Parker Reserve. The gap on the scoreboard was no more than 13 points all match and it was any teams match making for a tight contest, but Kilsyth took their chances when needed kicking the crucial goals. Heathmont’s Kyla Morrow booted through two goals and Kilsyth’s Elise Hoole also kicked two majors.
Division Three:
Chirnside Park Gold walked away with a huge percentage boosting victory over Boronia Gold, Croydon North MLOC cruised past Coldstream, Blackburn Red won in a tight tussle over Fair Park and South Croydon Red thumped Donvale Green on their home deck.
Chirnside Park Gold vs Boronia Gold:
What a performance it was from Rachael Palmer, she was on fire with seven goals and led Chirnside Park Gold to an 82-point triumph over Boronia Gold. Chirnside Park Gold roared with five first quarter goals and held Boronia Gold scoreless. In the second term, Chirnside’s heavy scoring continued with them adding another four majors, but Boronia Gold managed to ease the pain a little with two goals of their own. It was more of the same of what happened in the first quarter that happened in the third term with Chirnside keeping Boronia Gold scoreless, while they piled on five goals. In the final quarter, the heavy scoring was reduced from Chirnside with them scoring three goals and Boronia Gold putting through two goals. Chirnside continue to show the rest of the competition why they will be featuring in the finals at the end of the season. Palmer was Chirnside’s BOG and Rachael Slater contributed two goals and was Boronia Gold’s BOG.
Croydon North MLOC vs Coldstream:
Croydon North MLOC made light work of Coldstream by 49-points at Hughes Park. It was a solid defensive performance from Croydon North MLOC as they restricted Coldstream to four points, and it was one sided match. Croydon North MLOC forward duo Martina Jurkschat and Gabrielle Zappia recorded two goals apiece and Sally Richardson was Croydon North MLOC’s best.
Blackburn Red vs FairPark:
In the third and fourth showdown, Blackburn Red produced the goods over FairPark by nine points at Morton Park. FairPark were fortunate that Blackburn Red were inaccurate in front of goals, as the margin on the scoreboard could have been greater. Blackburn Red’s defence stood strong in the first quarter keeping FairPark scoreless and Blackburn Red scored the only goal of the term. In the second term, it was a goal each scored by both teams and then FairPark came out with solid momentum in the third kicking the only goal and holding Blackburn Red goalless. FairPark’s momentum unfortunately did not continue for them, as Blackburn Red kicked their third goal and only goal of the final stanza to ensure they brought home the four points. Mia Renee Chadwick, Zoe Hammill and Courtney Dunn chipped in a goal each.
Donvale Green vs South Croydon Red:
South Croydon Red slaughtered Donvale Green by 60-points at Donvale Reserve. It was a complete four quarter effort from South Croydon Red. South Croydon Red showed Donvale Green why they are top team and a force to be reckoned with in Division Three recording 12 goals and 15 behinds and restricting Donvale Green to four goals and three behinds. Laura Hammen was the star up forward for South Croydon Red with four goals and South Croydon Red’s best player was Elizabeth Griffin. For Donvale Green, Wendy Ng tried hard all afternoon contributing three of her sides four goals.