By Tash Gunawardana
Premier Division:
Blackburn Black became the first team to knock off Chirnside Park Black in a tight tussle on Saturday and after a missed opportunity to defeat Chirnside Park Black, Vermont steamrolled Whitehorse, while South Croydon Blue proved too strong for Donvale Black.
Donvale Black vs South Croydon Blue:
South Croydon Blue are on the board for the first time this season winning in fine style by 79-points over an inexperienced Donvale Black at Donvale Reserve. It was a stellar display from South Croydon Blue with the Dogs leading at every change and keeping Donvale Black to a single goal for the match, scoring their first in the third quarter. Donvale Black found it hard to score, but they were their own worst enemy at times registering one goal and six behinds. South Croydon Blue’s defensive structure was solid and from the second quarter onwards, South Croydon Blue went on a scoring spree, scoring 12 of the next 13 goals of the match. Katie Shanahan starred with five goals for South Croydon Blue, while Brenda Lay was her side’s BOG. Donvale Black’s only goal came from Alexandra Jaksic and their best player was Nekaela Butler.
Chirnside Park Black vs Blackburn Black:
In the clash of the Premier Division Women’s titans, Blackburn Black handed Chirnside Park Black their first defeat of the season by two points at Kimberley Reserve. Chirnside Park Black were left shellshocked in the opening term, as they were held scoreless by a Blackburn Black side that were determined to knock off 2019 reigning premier and undefeated ladder leaders. Chirnside Park Black wrestled back control in the second quarter, as they booted through four goals and stood tall defensively restricting Blackburn to a goal. Both teams came out with intent in the second half and the result could have gone either way with both teams so evenly matched. In the second half, both teams scored four goals each and it made for a great contest between two heavyweights of the competition. Blackburn Black’s Amelia Dawborn was the key with four majors. For Chirnside Park Black, Ashleigh Allsopp (three goals and her team’s best) and Jessica Provan (three goals) combined with six goals.
Whitehorse Suns vs Vermont:
Vermont flew to a huge 83-point win over Whitehorse Suns at Springfield Park. Whitehorse only managed to register their first goal in the final quarter, and it came from the boot off Elizabeth Bonnett. It was a super four quarter performance from Vermont, as they slotted through six majors in the opening half and continued this exceptional form into the second half with seven goals. A five-goal haul from Vermont’s Evie Allman, while Abbey Rutherford was Vermont’s best. A struggling afternoon for Whitehorse Suns with Iona Cameron the shining light and her team’s best.
Division One:
It is hard to believe that the reigning premiers from the South Division, Rowville remain winless, Park Orchards gave Berwick their first defeat, Ferntree Gully and The Basin recorded dominant victories. North Ringwood had the bye.
Rowville vs Boronia Brown:
Rowville slumped to their second consecutive loss by 17-points to Boronia Brown at Eildon Park. It has been a disappointing start to the season for Rowville. Boronia Brown were sound defensively and Rowville were only able to score their first goal in the final term after scoring two behinds in the opening three quarters. It was a fast start from Boronia Brown with four first term goals, but their scoring power did not continue due to Rowville tightening up defensively. There were six individual goal kickers for Boronia Brown including April Glare, Tamlynn Collins, Darcy Langford, Amanda Davidson, Kathleen McMahon and Rylee Krenn. Meanwhile, Meaghan McKernan was adjudged her side’s best.
Park Orchards vs Berwick:
After a strong showing in the opening three rounds from Berwick they went down for the first time by 11-points to Park Orchards at Stintons Reserve..There were only two goals scored in the entire opening half from Park Orchards and Berwick only had three behinds at the main break. It took Berwick to the third quarter to break through with their first major via Sheridan Holland and it was the only goal scored in the third. Berwick closed the margin to three points at three quarter time and they went into the final change with their tails up. Berwick were stopped in their tracks, as in the final quarter Park Orchards outscored them two majors to one to hold for victory. For Berwick, Holland contributed two goals, while Montana Mazzagatti was Berwick’s BOG.
Ferntree Gully vs East Ringwood:
Ferntree Gully put on a show at Wally Tew Reserve smashing East Ringwood to the tune of 62-points.
It was raining goals on Saturday morning from Ferntree Gully, as they piled on four opening quarter goals and continued this scoring with two second term majors, while restricting East Ringwood to two goals in the opening half. It was in the second half where Ferntree Gully took their game up a notch with a five goal third quarter followed by a two-goal final term. It was one of those games for Ferntree Gully where everything fell into place offensively kicking 13 goals and defensively keeping East Ringwood to four goals. Abbey Broughan was on fire for Ferntree Gully (BOG) with five goals. For East Ringwood, Teagan Hudson stepped up when it counted slotting through two goals.
The Basin vs SBL Wolves:
The Basin showed why they are top of the competition with a 45-point triumph over SBL Wolves at Batterham Reserve. It was a tight match for the opening three quarters with no more than 13 points separating the two teams until the final term when The Basin flexed their muscles with five goals and kept SBL Wolves scoreless. For The Basin to be able to lift their intensity in and around the contest in the final quarter is credit to them and shows that if they continue to play like this that they might be the real deal in this division. Julia Baker (three goals) and Michaela Holford-Moss (two goals) starred for The Basin combining with five goals, while Brooke Priest was The Basin’s best.
Division Two:
Montrose and Surrey Park are both on the board for 2021 and Ringwood has extended its undefeated streak.
Montrose vs Heathmont:
A four-quarter effort from Montrose steered them to a 24-point victory over Heathmont at Montrose Recreation Reserve. Montrose was superb defensively only allowing Heathmont to score five behinds. The match could have gone either way at the main break with only four points the margin but in the second half, Montrose showed they are the better team with three goals and four behinds to help get their season record to 1-2. Montrose’s Katie Cameron was the only multiple goal scorer in the match with two goals.
Ringwood vs Kilsyth:
Ringwood were unstoppable on Saturday, continuing their perfect start to the season getting over Kilsyth by 40-points at Jubilee Park. It was all Ringwood from the opening term, as they kept Kilsyth scoreless while kicking two goals and in the next three quarters Ringwood outscored Kilsyth six goals to three. Ringwood’s Caitlin Tayleur booted through three goals and Zoe Cant was Ringwood’s BOG. For Kilsyth Hayley Jackson scored two goals.
Knox vs Surrey Park:
Surrey Park made Knox look second rate overpowering them by 36-points at Surrey Park Reserve. It was all Surrey Park, and this was led by Lilly Toomey (three goals) and Kara Oakley-Smith (two goals), while their best on ground was Emily Cumming. Sarah Plumridge was Knox’s best, slotting through her side’s only goal of the match.
Division Three: South Croydon Red keep on rolling in Division Three, while Chirnside Park Gold and Fair Park registered their first defeats and Croydon North MLOC were on the winners list for the first time in 2021.
South Croydon Red vs Boronia Gold:
South Croydon Red proved they are a class above the rest in Division Three with a 152-point hiding of Boronia Gold at Tormore Reserve to remain the only undefeated side in the division. You knew South Croydon Red had come to play from the onset, as they came out with seven opening quarter goals and Boronia Gold only managed a goal. The pain continued for Boronia Gold in the second term with South Croydon Red kicking four goals and South Croydon Red went into half time with a 67-point deficit. South Croydon Red already had a stranglehold on the match, but that did not stop them inflicting more scoreboard pain in the second half with 12 goals. It was a commanding performance from South Croydon Red and it is hard to know which team in the division will be able to topple the mighty scoring. Four South Croydon Red forwards kicked four goals apiece including Holly Oldfield, Leah Mallison, Jordyn Dehnert and Juley Thai. Dehnert was South Croydon Red’s best. Boronia Gold’s only goal came from Simone Stubley and their best was Genevieve Lyons.
Chirnside Park Gold vs Blackburn Red:
Meghan Stephens – three goals – almost was able to steer Chirnside Park Gold over the line against Blackburn Red, but Blackburn Red held onto win by seven points at Kimberley Reserve. Blackburn Red did something no other team has done this season and defeat Chirnside Park Gold. It was a tale of two halves with Blackburn Red controlling the first half and Chirnside Park Gold in control of the second half. Chirnside Park Gold’s best was Elizabeth Fletcher.
Donvale Green vs Croydon North MLOC:
A huge percentage boosting first victory by 55-points for Croydon North MLOC over Donvale Green at Donvale Reserve. From the start of the match, Croydon North MLOC were on song with a six-goal opening term and then in the preceding three quarters they scored seven goals while keeping Donvale Green to six goals. Croydon North MLOC forwards, Gabrielle Zappia and Martina Jurkschat could not be contained kicking three goals apiece and combining with six goals. Meanwhile, Croydon North MLOC’s best was Lauren Van Der Westhuizen.
Coldstream vs FairPark:
In the final match of the round, a battle of defences was on display with Coldstream winning by two points over FairPark at Coldstream Reserve. Coldstream was the only team able to score and it was only two behinds. Both teams found it hard to produce any goals. Stacey Moate Gilder was awarded Coldstream’s best and FairPark’s BOG was Kahlia Sommers.
