By Jarryd McGuane
@JMcGuane
Hallam 4.4 (28) def by Highett 6.12 (48)
In the final game and what turned out to be the game of Round 4, Highett held off a desperate Hallam side by 20 points at Hallam Reserve.
Kicking with breeze, the Bulldogs were quiet out the gate but were hurt by early inaccuracy, before they steadied with two goals from Zoe Rossiter. They ended the quarter with 2.6 and held the Hawks scoreless to lead by 18 points.
In the second quarter, Hallam’s bigger bodies gained ascendency in the midfield and with their use of the win, adding two goals through Hayley Thomas and Tamisha Gersbeck. Highett was able to get one surge through the midfield of Muriel Watkins and Zoe Rossiter and ruck Tyra Josiah to add a point for the quarter to hold onto a four-point lead.
But the Hawks lost control again in the third quarter, as the stars of Highett taking control. Ally Gilchrist got on the end of a ball over the pack to kick the first in the first minute of the quarter. Zoe Rossiter would add her third for the game before Muriel Watkins would get her own after a 25m penalty. That left Hallam needing a big final quarter to come back from the game high 24-point three quarter time margin.
The Bulldogs started the last quarter with nerves and the Hawks made them pay with an early goal. But Highett steadied as they pushed centre half forward Gilchrist down back to help rebound from defence and it resulted with a second goal to Watkins for the sealer. Hallam kicked a consolation goal in the closing minutes as they ferocity of the contest didn’t waver.
Muriel Watkins was everywhere for Highett and was the best on the ground to add to her two goals. Ally Gilchrist was used amazingly as a utility, serving as a rock when defending the breeze. Along with Zoe Rossiter was the major goal kicker on the field with three goals.
Kelly Dean did a mountain of work for Hallam alongside a strong performance from Michelle Thomas.
Edithvale-Aspendale 1.1 (7) def by Oakleigh District 10.18 (78)
At Glen St Reserve, Oakleigh District has jumped to 3-1 for the season as they handed Edithvale-Aspendale a 71-point defeat on Friday night.
Five goals to one in the first half in Oakleigh Districts favour pushed the lead out to 27 points by half time.
It would not get better for Edi-Asp in the second half with a scoreless second half, as they Oak’s slammed on another five goals to put the game beyond doubt.
Jasmine Sherrifs and Sophie Chapman were the best for Oakleigh Districts, with three goals apiece from Danielle Wearne and Jodie Bray.
Jennifer Aarons was the only goal kicker for Edithvale-Aspendale and Amy Little was valiant in defeat.
Bentleigh 1.0 (6) def by Mordialloc 14.13 (97)
In the second Friday night game for the round, both sides had to travel to Highett’s home ground Turner Road Reserve and it was Mordialloc who came away with the 91-point thumping of Bentleigh.
The Bloods with a strong win would hold onto top spot on the ladder, and showed that in the first quarter as they put 5.2 on the scoreboard while holding the Demons scoreless. It continued for the next two quarters as the margin was a solid 64 points at three quarter time. Bentleigh would add a score in the form of a goal but allowed a final five goals in the last quarter.
Nat Cardamone remains the dominant forward in the league and she added another six goals to her season tally. Midfielders Stephanie Sandoval and Tayla Rosenquist again proved dominant as the Bloods best two players.
Katie Lamb was the goal kicker for the Demons, and Zoe Reed was their best in defeat.
East Brighton 7.16 (58) def Lyndhurst 1.1 (7)
East Brighton continued their strong start to the season as they handed Lyndhurst their third loss of the season by 51 points at Hurlingham Park on Saturday.
Inaccuracy has been an issue for East Brighton and that was no different in the start of this game as the Vampires kicked 3.8 but still led at quarter time by 26 points. They would only manage three points in the second quarter, and the Lightning would reduce the margin to 23 at half time with their only goal of the game. They would only add with one behind for the remainder of the match, while the margin grew to 33 points at three quarter time and blew out in the last.
Jade Barnden’s speed was important as she led the attack with three goals, with Rachel Martin the best for the Vampires.
Jessi O’Connell continued her goal kicking streak with one goal for the Lightning.
Murrumbeena 14.26 (110) def Endeavour Hills 1.4 (10)
In the second Saturday game, Endeavour Hills again faltered against an undefeated side and Murrumbeena held down Murrumbeena Park with the 100-point victory.
Alice Kovess is showing herself to being star of the competition with another best on ground performance. Rebecca Niclasen and Ifrah Ibrahim led the way up forward with three goals each.
Kailey Rotherdam kicked the only goal for Endeavour Hills, with a battling performance from Chloe Opperman.
