Women's Football Round Review

Photo by Riley Lockett - Frankie Media 

By Lincoln Edmunds

DIVISION 1

Clayton 19.9-123 def Lyndhurst 2.1-13

Clayton have continued their strong start to the season, disposing of Lyndhurst by 110 points in a one sided contest on Saturday morning. The Clays were the dominant side all day, getting their hands on the ball first and providing plenty of scoring opportunities for their potent forward line.

Kelsey Tompkins was the main beneficiary from the home sides supremacy, slotting a bag of six in a best afield display. Melissa Cook and Amie Jackson were also in the thick of things kicking three goals each. Maggie Collins was influential and also managed to hit the scoreboard to put together a complete performance.

For Lyndhurst the last couple of weeks have been a battle but Belinda Clark and Alesha White continued their good form to be the Lightning’s best performers on the day.

East Brighton 4.4-28 def by Oakleigh District 10.5-65

Oakleigh District has pulled off a stunning away victory over East Brighton, leading from start to finish to complete a comfortable six goal win on Saturday afternoon.

District started in cracking fashion, slotting the first four goals of the game to take a healthy buffer at the first change. The game evened up a tad in the second quarter as the home side began to mount a bigger challenge, but the visitors held firm and took a 29 point advantage at the half.

Another good performance in the third quarter saw the visitors extend their lead with a three goal to one effort all but putting the game to bed.

The result keeps Oakleigh District in the hunt leaving them just one game behind East Brighton who now have a 3-2 record.

Bentleigh 3.6-24 def by Endeavour Hills (1) 8.8-56

Endeavour Hills remain the team to beat in Division 1, continuing their unbeaten start to the season with a solid 32 point win over Bentleigh. The game started in fairly scrappy fashion with a low scoring affair seeing just the two goals in the opening stages of the game.

But the game went up a gear after the first break, both sides trading majors in a high scoring and entertaining tussle. Three goals to each side for the term left the game in the balance at the main break with the visitors having the slight edge with a 13 point advantage.

But it was all one way traffic in the second half, as just like all good teams the Falcons found a way to go to another level. Their defensive structures were superb, not letting through a major in the second half while adding three of their own.

Up forward Alyssa Weston and Samantha Richardson combined for five majors to do most of the damage for the Falcons. While Scout Strong and Laura Jonston were significant all game.

For Bentleigh, Shannon Matfin and Stacey Conway were excellent all game and Anuschka Reinhardt continues to be a focal point up forward with two goals.

DIVISION 2

Hallam 2.3-15 def by Lyndale 6.12-48

Lyndale have shrugged off Hallam by 33 points in a tough slog at Hallam Reserve, but the day was about more than footy as both sides kicked off a special occasion honouring the late Paul Thomas.

The visitors did all the attacking in the early stages, kicking the only two goals in the opening term. But the Hawks struck back after the resumption, registering a major while keeping the Pumas goalless to leave the game in the balance at the main change.

The game opened up a tad in the second half, with both sides trading goals but importantly the Pumas always seemed to have the answers and in the end were able to run out deserved winners.

Alesha Thorne was the standout up forward with two goals for Lyndale while Tracey Sharp was a well-deserved winner of the best on ground medal.

For Hallam, Mikeeli Hagger was the star of the day slotting both of the team’s goals to be the Hawks best.

Murrumbeena 6.3-39 def by Doveton Eagles 7.9-51

Doveton have pulled off a magnificent come from behind victory over Murrumbeena with a thrilling 12 point win at the Beena Arena on Saturday Morning. It was an entertaining contest from the first bounce, with both sides hitting the scoreboard in a free flowing and engaging opening term.

Both sides tightened up a bit in the second term but the quality of footy still remained high as just two points separated the teams at half time.

Beena looked as though they were getting on top after the resumption, making the most of their opportunities to take a seven point lead with a massive last term to follow.

But the Eagles surged into the lead with a stunning final quarter, restricting the Lions to just one behind while slotting three goals themselves. The final quarter blitz helping the visitors to their second win of the season, lifting them into the top four.

Kristy Borg and Harmony Thomas were the driving factors behind the win, combing for five goals to inspire the Eagles comeback.

For Murrumbeena, Kerrie Thornhill and Sophie Patterson were both good up forward with two majors each while Emily Driessen was terrific all game.

South Yarra 6.9-45 def by Endeavour Hills (2) 12.14-86

The Falcons have continued their fantastic start to the season, comprehensively disposing of South Yarra by 41 points in a high scoring affair on the weekend.

The visitors started the game in scintillating fashion, kicking five goals to one in a hot start to the match. Another fast paced and free flowing quarter from Endeavour Hills saw them with nine goals and a 40 point lead to their name at the main change, with the contest as good as over.

South Yarra showed plenty of heart in the second half to kick four goals to three but unfortunately all the damage was done in the opening stages.

For the Falcons Rosa Sofra, Alyssa Weston and Hayley Cooper were all outstanding, hitting the scoreboard to go with their influence with ball in hand.

The home side were competitive in patches but ultimately were not consistent enough to challenge for the whole game. Camille King and Michelle Attwood were good in front of the big sticks with two goals each, while Cherie Beckingham was the Yarras best player on the day.