Clayton and Endeavour Hills had the honour of opening the 2019 SFNL Women’s season with a standalone clash on Anzac Day. It was a competitive opening term as both sides ripped in from the opening bounce, eager to get off to a good start. But after a tough initial tussle the visitors were able to break the game open in the second term, slotting six goals to open up a handsome half time lead. From then on the result was a mere formality with Endeavour Hills running out convincing 71 point winners.
It was a solid team performance with the goals shared between eight individual players. Laura Jonston was sensational all day and was well supported by Devi Whelan and Angela Grace Bracamante who both kicked two majors. For the Clays, it wasn’t the start to the season they were hoping for but there were still positives to take from the match. Shantel Numode put in a superb first showing and Amie Jackson’s efforts were also exceptional.
Oakleigh District 17.19-121 def Mordialloc 0.0-0
Oakleigh District got their season off to a flying start with a crushing 121 point win over Mordialloc on Friday Night. District led from start to finish in clinical fashion, dominating both possession and the scoreboard. Yet despite their supremacy with ball in hand, the home side was wasteful in the first half only converting five goals from their 18 scoring shots. But after seemingly finding their kicking boots in the rooms at half time, District came out and piled on 12 second half goals to ensure they walked away with a percentage boosting win.
It was a powerful statement from the home side with plenty of contributors across the park. Kayla Germanier and Jordan Mifsud were the standouts up forward sharing 11 goals between them, while Jo Cheng stitched together a complete performance. There wasn’t much joy for the Bloods but Chanelle Slater and Barbra Schrei tried their hearts out.
Doveton Eagles 9.8-62 def South Yarra 1.2-8
Doveton have opened up their account for the 2019 season with an impressive 54 point triumph over South Yarra. The Eagles got the early jump on the visitors and never looked back, slowly building on their lead to grind out a nine goal win. Despite the score line it was a competitive match, especially in the early stages as both sides cracked in and provided plenty of intensity around the ball.
Eventually though the Eagles were able to gain the ascendancy and started to generate some scoreboard pressure. South Yarra never gave up but in the end the Eagles were just more consistent across the board, as the team raffled around the goals with no player kicking multiple majors. Sharon Kirkpatrick and Christie-Lee Chadwick were influential for the winners, while Emily Keilty put in a good show for South Yarra.
Murrumbeena 4.11-35 def Hallam 2.5-17
A wasteful Murrumbeena has held off a gallant Hallam side by 18 points in a scrappy affair at the Beena Arena. It was a tough slog for both sides all day with goals a rare and valuable commodity. The Lions did the majority of the attacking in the first half, producing eight scoring shots to one as they trapped the ball in their front half. Yet despite their dominance with ball in hand they only had three goals to show for it.
They continued to waste chances in the second half, kicking a wasteful 1.4 in the third quarter. Their inaccuracy looked as though it could potentially haunt them, as Hallam found the ability to score in the final term to close the gap to three goals. But the Lions had done enough and held onto a hard fought three goal victory to open their account for the season. Ellen Block and Caitlin Lloyd-McDougall were the best performers for Beena, while Mikeeli Hagger was the standout player for the Hawks.
East Brighton 7.13-55 def by Bentleigh 8.9-57
Bentleigh has held off East Brighton by two points to claim a thrilling victory in a sensational game of footy at Hurlingham Reserve. The standalone twilight clash certainly lived up to the hype as blockbuster match up, as the two sides went goal for goal for the majority of the game. It was a gripping first half of footy as the Demons jumped out of the blocks before the Vampires slowly started to claw their way back to trail by just five points at the main break.
From then on it was a genuine arm wrestle with both sides going toe to toe in an enthralling battle. Just three points separated the teams at the last change with a massive final term instore. And the crowd was treated to a grandstand finish with the match coming right down to the wire.
But it was the Demons who came out on top, doing enough to hold off the home side to walk away with a thrilling two point victory. Anuschka Reinhardt was excellent up forward with three goals and Catherine Martin was a standout throughout the four quarters. Despite the shattering result, East Brighton will still hold their heads high but will perhaps rue their inaccuracy in front of goal which cost them dearly. Jessica Pham was brilliant with three goals and provided a great target for the home side all game.
Lyndhurst 7.7-49 def Lyndale 2.0-12
Lyndhurst have kicked their season off on the right note, saluting by 37 points over a dogged Lyndale outfit. It was hard work for both sides’ early doors with plenty of tough footy to be won in the opening stages. The Lightning entered the quarter time break with a deserved nine point lead but Lyndale certainly looked up for the fight.
But the home side would not be denied and took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second term with an impressive three goal quarter to open up a healthy 27 point lead at half time. The Pumas battled hard after the main change but the Lightning continued to impress and eventually ran out comfortable six goal winners.
Alyssa Weston and Kelly Baker were dangerous up forward slotting three goals each. For the visitors Melinda Stones and Michelle Thomas worked hard for their team all day.
