SFNL Women's Football Round Recap

By Lincoln Edmunds

DIVISION 1

Oakleigh District 8.8-56 def East Brighton 1.3-9

Oakleigh District have moved a step closer to locking up a spot in finals, slicing through fellow contenders East Brighton with a convincing 47 point victory.

Heading into the clash the contest looked fairly even on paper, with both sides battling it out for third spot on the ladder.

But the home side were ruthless in the first half, kicking six goals whilst holding the Vampires scoreless to enter the change rooms with the vibes high.

East Brighton put in a better show in the third term, but District were not to be denied and finished the game off strongly with two goals in the final stanza.

The win sees District move a game clear above the Vampires into third spot, with their healthy percentage a major advantage should they stumble in the final rounds.

Alana Brown and Emily Gilder were superb up forward for Oakleigh, kicking three goals each. While with ball in hand the damage was done by Jess Szalek who continues to put together a fine season.

The loss makes it two winless weeks in a row for East Brighton and they now have Clayton breathing down their necks who sit outside the top four only on percentage.

They face a tough task next week against Bentleigh but will be determined to get one back on the Demons who pipped them at the post last meeting.

Sophie Stuart and Hannah Feltham battled hard all day for the Vampires, while Bronte Dawson chipped in with a goal.

Lyndhurst 0.0-0 def by Clayton 11.16-82

Clayton has snapped a four game losing streak, trampling a depleted Lyndhurst side to the tune of 82 points in a one sided affair.

Unfortunately the Lightnings unavailability of players meant that it was never an even contest and the Clays were able to stroll away with the easiest of wins.

The visitors hit the scoreboard in every term, trapping the ball in their attacking half for the majority of the day to dominate from the first bounce.

The big win gives Clayton some much needed percentage as they push for fourth spot with a couple of crunch games coming up.

Kelsey Tomkins and Ruzena May were dynamic up forward with three goals each, while Shantel Numode and Ngaire Lavender produced sensational performances for the Clays.

It’s hard not to feel sorry for Lyndhurst with several issues plaguing the team since the move to Division 1.

With only three games of the season remaining there’s some relief on the way and hopefully they’ll be able to pick themselves up and look ahead to 2020.

Endeavour Hills (1) 7.6-48 def Bentleigh 4.10-34

Endeavour Hills’ spotless record in season 2019 has continued, holding off a gallant Bentleigh by 14 points in a top of the table blockbuster.

The Demons started the game on fire, dominating possession and scoring to have the home side on the back foot in the first quarter.

Unfortunately for the visitors they couldn’t capitalise on their dominance, kicking 2.6 for the term to enter the first break with a handy, not commanding 12 point lead.

But good sides make you pay when you don’t take your chances and Endeavour Hills did just that. The Falcons turning the tables to kick three goals in the second term to regain the lead at half time.

With only one point separating the sides it was still anyone’s game but the home side continued on their good momentum in the third, kicking the only two goals to open up an 11 point lead with a quarter to play.

The final 20 minutes was a real arm wrestle as both sides locked into an intense battle, with the home side able to flex their muscles long enough to keep the Demons at bay.

The victory is right up there as far as the Falcons are concerned, considering they’ve rarely found themselves under siege like they did in that first quarter.

Amanda Hancock was a class above for the Falcons and was well supported by Scout Strong who kicked two important goals to have an impact on the contest.

The Demons will be frustrated with the result having had more scoring shots but will take confidence from the fact that even the Falcons have vulnerabilities.

Stacey Conway was superb all game as was Jaclyn Vial who gave her all for the team.

DIVISION 2

South Yarra 0.3-3 def by Mordialloc 17.11-113

Mordialloc has pulled off a massive shock, absolutely smashing South Yarra to the tune of 110 points in a game that has finals ramifications for both clubs.

Heading into the clash the Yarras were well placed at third spot sitting a game and half clear of the Bloods.

But everything we thought we knew was flipped on its head by half time with the scoreboard reading 9.6-60 to 0.1-1 in the visitors favour.

It was absolute carnage for South Yarra as the goals continued to pile on in the second half in one of the most one sided and surprising results in Div 2 this season.

The result dumps South Yarra down to fourth spot and dents their percentage from 83.6 to 64.7, blowing the finals race wide open in the process.

The win is a massive coup for Mordialloc, who are now just two premiership points off a spot in the top four with a superior percentage over South Yarra.

Chanelle Slater was the star of the show for Mordi, kicking a massive bag of seven goals to be the dominant player on the ground.

Not to be overshadowed Barbra Schrei was also superb and ended up with a haul of six majors in a brilliant showing.

Murrumbeena 1.0-6 def by Lyndale 12.13-85

Lyndale have flexed their muscles against an understrength Murrumbeena, pulling apart the Lions by 79 points in a comprehensive four quarter performance.

It was a fairly entertaining start to the game with both sides hitting the scoreboard in an accurate term of footy.

The Pumas took their game to another level in the second term however, kicking 5.4 to take control of the game by the scruff of the neck.

The visitors pushed on in the second half but an inaccurate return of 4.9 meant that the margin was somewhat contained and didn’t blow out into triple figures.

Danielle Noel was superb for the Pumas, providing a good target up forward to kick four goals.

Jess McDonald continued her fine form with another best on ground and Michelle Thomas was in the thick of things all day long.

It’s been a tough old slog for Beena this season but Grace Perriam showed plenty of encouraging signs in the defeat.

Hallam 6.7-43 def Endeavour Hills (2) 3.11-29

Hallam has produced a major boilover, knocking off the top placed Endeavour Hills by 14 points in brilliant performance.

The win was built off the back of a sensational first half from the Hawks who tore open the Falcons defence with some scintillating footy.

The home side dominated play to consistently surge forward, kicking five goals to one to take a comfortable 26 point lead at half time.

But the Falcons roared back to life in the third term, flipping the script to do all the attacking and pile on some serious pressure to the Hawks defenders.

Unfortunately for the visitors they squandered the majority of their chances in the front of the big sticks, kicking 1.6 to undo all their hard work.

By the time the fourth quarter rolled around the home side were able to steady the ship and hit the scoreboard once again, sealing a magnificent 14 point win.

The result bumps the Hawks up to third spot and inches them closer to a finals appearance. Chloe Marquison and Mikeeli Hagger were inspirational in the victory, as was Hawks skipper Natalie Horua who stood up with three majors.

The loss is just the Falcons third for the season and is a timely reminder that there’s still plenty of work to do before finals.

Renee Thomas put together a strong performance in her first game for the side, while Karen Maillard also cracked in all game.