By Tash Gunawardana
EFNL WOMEN’S REVIEW ROUND 5:
PREMIER WOMEN’S:
Blackburn Black vs Vermont:
Blackburn Black remain undefeated with a comprehensive 63-point win over the third placed Vermont at Morton Park. Vermont stayed with Blackburn Black in the opening term, only down by a goal at quarter time and it looked like the match would be a close encounter. However, from the second quarter onwards, it was all Blackburn Black scoring nine of the last 10 goals of the match. Blackburn Black showed the gap between first and third (Vermont) is greater than what it is on the ladder. Jess Grace (three), Ellie Cleland (two) and Jade Wise (two) were pivotal for Blackburn Black combining with seven goals. Madeline Johns was Vermont’s best for the second consecutive week.
Chirnside Park Black vs Donvale Black:
A strong outing from Chirnside Park Black to overcome Donvale Black by 74-points at Kimberley Reserve. It was a great four quarter effort and defensive performance from Chirnside Park Black, especially because Donvale Black was kept scoreless in the opening quarter and to two goals for the entire match. Donvale Black’s goal scorers were Monica Latino and Tess Power.
DIVISION ONE WOMEN’S:
Park Orchards vs Boronia Brown:
It was a nail biter between Park Orchards and Boronia Brown with Boronia Brown running out three-point winners at Stintons Reserve. All morning the margin was three points except for in the first term where the margin was a goal making for an entertaining match of women’s suburban football. Boronia Brown had three individual goal kickers including April Glare, Amanda Davidson and Alex Kufel. The only multiple goal scorer was Park Orchards’ Kaitlyn Rukavina with two majors, and she was her side’s BOG. Meanwhile Stephanie Phillips was Boronia Brown’s BOG.
North Ringwood vs East Ringwood: East Ringwood earned the bragging rights in Ringwood extending their winning streak to two defeating North Ringwood by nine points at Quambee Reserve. It was all Candice Taylor up forward for East Ringwood, she had a day out with four goals. Meanwhile, Melissa Gilmore kicked two goals for North Ringwood and Victoria Galante was adjudged North Ringwood’s best.
The Basin vs Ferntree Gully: The Basin extended their undefeated record with a 31-point victory over Ferntree Gully at Batterham Reserve. It was a superb defensive display from The Basin with them keeping Ferntree Gully to a point at quarter time. Also, The Basin only allowed Ferntree Gully to score one goal for the match and this came in the second term from the boot off Chelsea Bransden. Emma Nixon was the main forward for The Basin with two goals, while Brooke Priest was The Basin’s best.
SBL Wolves vs Rowville Hawks:
Rowville Hawks are still without a win this season after losing narrowly to the SBL Wolves by eight points at the Belgrave South Recreation Reserve. It was any teams game with plenty of lead changes throughout the match. Olivia Flanagan starred in the forward line for SBL Wolves with three goals, while Rowville Hawks’ Danielle Brotto was vital scoring two goals.
Whitehorse Suns vs Berwick:
Whitehorse Suns were exceptional as they finally broke through with their first triumph of 2021 by 11-points over Berwick at Springfield Park. Whitehorse Suns forward Isabella Gietzmann put a show up forward with five majors, she was the standout alongside Brianna Holland who was Whitehorse’s BOG. For Berwick, Sheridan Holland gave it her all contributing four goals and for the second week in a row Berwick’s BOG was Jayde Smith.
DIVISION TWO WOMEN’S:
Surrey Park vs Heathmont: Heathmont were 14-point winners over Surrey Park at Surrey Park Reserve and are back on the winners list. In the opening term, Surrey Park was kept scoreless and scored their first goal in the second term. Surrey Park were on the backfoot all match, but fortunately for them Heathmont were inaccurate with their goal kicking otherwise the match would have been a blowout in Heathmont’s favour. Tahlia Limburg scored two majors for Heathmont and Surrey Park’s two goals were scored by Lilly Toomey and Kara Oakley-Smith. Surrey Park’s best player was Mia Harold.
Knox vs Kilsyth: Knox failed to score a goal going down by 10-points to Kilsyth at Knox Gardens Reserve. Kilsyth are now outright second on the ladder and one game away from the ladder leaders Ringwood. Both teams had the same number of shots at goal with seven, but Knox shot themselves in the foot with seven behinds. The best player for Knox was Ella Ritchie. Kilsyth’s goal scorers were Elise Hoole and Lucy Milkeraitis.
Montrose vs Ringwood: Montrose almost brought home the four points and toppled ladder leaders Ringwood, but Ringwood held on winning by seven points at Montrose Recreation Reserve. Ringwood jumped out of the blocks with four goals in the first quarter and restricted Montrose to a goal. Montrose was the stronger team in the next three quarters turning the match in their favour with three of the last five goals. It was a solid first quarter from Ringwood that proved the difference. Ringwood’s Olivia Ashcroft led the way with three goals and her goal season tally sits at 10 goals. Caitlin Tayleur was Ringwood’s BOG. Katie Cameron kept Montrose in the contest with three majors and she almost singlehandedly willed Montrose over the line off her own boot.
DIVISION THREE WOMEN’S:
FairPark vs Croydon North MLOC: Croydon North MLOC were 34-point victors, proving too strong for FairPark at Fairpark Reserve. Hailee Stokes had a day to remember for Croydon North MLOC with four majors and awarded her side’s best. Fairpark found it hard to score and were no match for Croydon North MLOC, only able to score two goals via Sarah Birthisel and Jaimee-Lee Halls and Fairpark’s best player was Kahlia Sommers.
South Croydon Red vs Coldstream: Alana Predergast steered South Croydon Red home by 29-points over Coldstream at Cheong Park. South Croydon Red played the match on their terms and Coldstream were unable to stop their momentum making for a one-sided outing. Tayla Jones was South Croydon Red’s best.
Blackburn Red vs Boronia Gold: Blackburn Red continue to set the benchmark in Division Three, as they were victorious by 26-points over Boronia Gold at Morton Park. It was a tight opening affair with Blackburn Red ahead by a point at quarter time. After quarter time, Blackburn Red lifted their game up a notch piling on four crucial goals, as in the third and fourth terms both teams were kept goalless. In the second half, both team’s defensive stocks stood up well with no goals scored and only six points recorded by Blackburn Red. There were three individual goal kickers for Blackburn Red including Loz Sorono, Crystal Chinn, Lauren Adey and Terri Price. Boronia Gold had two goal scorers including Rachael Slater and Stacey Ponton.
Chirnside Park Gold – Bye