By Jarryd McGuane
@JMcGuane
Highett 2.6 (18) def by Oakleigh District 4.4 (28)
The game of the round did not disappoint as short-handed Oakleigh District defeated Highett by 10 points at Turner Road Reserve.
Playing with 16 players, it was Oakleigh who took their chance in the first quarter with the only goal for the quarter coming from Alana Brown’s long bomb. Highett couldn’t capitalise on amount of time they had the ball in their forward 50, but would trail by five points at the first change.
But a trend would emerge as the game would go on and it was that momentum in the game would change at the hand of injuries. It would be Highett who would take advantage of an opposition injury first, with Oakleigh District losing star Alana Brown in the second quarter with an injury scare in her hand. The Bulldogs star trio of Hannah Bowey, Zoe Rossiter and Ally Gilchrist were everywhere in the second term, as goals from Gilchrist and Rossiter allowing Highett to lead by 10 points at half time.
The momentum would swing after half time as Alana Brown returned to the field but Ally Gilchrist would not return after half time and it showed. They lost their aerial presence up forward while at the other end, the returning Alana Brown kicked another long goal to get Oakleigh District back within one point at the final quarter.
Oakleigh District started the last with a quick goal to impressive Danielle Wearne, but then came a sight no one would want to see. Highett star Hannah Bowey went down with what looked like a serious knee injury and there was concern on both benches. After she was taken from the field, Oakleigh would seal the game with Danielle Wearne’s second for the quarter.
Danielle Wearne was Oakleigh District’s best as she provided her teammates with an aerial presence and was the difference in the end. Rachel McNamara and Alana Brown also kept up their strong form to also feature in the best players.
My heart and the thoughts of everyone in attendance go out to Highett’s Hannah Bowey and we really hope her injury is not as bad as first thought. She was by far the best from Highett, and was ably supported by Zoe Rossiter and Baillie De Klijn.
Bentleigh 2.0 (12) def by East Brighton 4.10 (34)
Despite their best performance of the season so far, Bentleigh fell to East Brighton by 22 points at Bentleigh Reserve.
The Demons would lead at quarter time by four points after and goal and holding East Brighton to two behinds. They would add a second goal in the second quarter but allowed the Vampires to kick three of their own to lead by 12 points at half time.
East Brighton kicked the final goal of the match in the third quarter, before both sides could add a major in the last quarter.
Lyndhurst 6.1 (37) def by Murrumbeena 7.9 (51)
Murrumbeena have remained their unbeaten start to the season, holding off a fast finish Lyndhurst by 14 points at Marriot Waters Reserve.
It would be Murrumbeena who started fast jumping out to a 16 point quarter time lead before a surge in the second quarter from the Lightning saw the margin reduced to four points at half time. Beena would secure the game in a three goal third quarter, with one final quarter goal holding off Lyndhurst, who again was able to add three goals.
Rebecca Niclasen and Alice Kovess were Murrumbeena’s best as Eliza Groves was their major goal kicker with two. Alyssa Weston and Jess O’Connell kicked two goals each of the Lightning.
Mordialloc 8.7 (47) def Hallam 1.0 (6)
At Ben Kavanagh, Mordialloc joined Murrumbeena at the top of the ladder with a convincing 41 point victory over Hallam.
The game started well for the Hawks as they got on the scoreboard, before Mordialloc would lead by eight points at quarter time. The Bloods attacking and midfield power would take over we three goals in the second quarter have the lead taken out to 28 points at half time. Three more goals in the second half would put it beyond doubt as Hallam remained scoreless after quarter time.
Tayla Rosenquist was again Mordialloc’s best as Nat Cardamone (four goals) and Aleisha Thorne (three goals) combined for seven of the eight goals for the Bloods.
Endeavour Hills (107) def Edithvale-Aspendale (33)
Endeavour Hills kept in touch with the top of the ladder sides as they defeated Edithvale-Aspendale by 74 points at Barry Simon Reserve.
