ROUND 3 of the NAB League Girls saw Geelong Falcons and Calder Cannons remain undefeated proving their dominance of the competition. While the likes of the Western Jets, Sandringham Dragons and Gippsland Power are yet to register a win this season after a tricky start. The Murray Bushrangers made it two wins in a row, with Northern Knights making their way back onto the winner’s list after a draw in Round 2.  

GWV REBELS 0.1 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 2.3 (15)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 0.2 | 3.3 | 5.3 | 8.4 (52)

By: Cameron Ross

GOALS:

GWV: S. Molan 2.
Dandenong: M. McDonald 2, L. Grocock 2, I. Shannon 2, J. Radford, T. Smith.

BEST:

GWV: I. Rustman, C. Leonard, S. Molan, E. Wood, G. Pidgeon, V. Jewell.
Dandenong: B. Vernon, Z. Hill, T. Smith, G. Howes, I. Shannon, A. Liddle.

The Dandenong Stingrays won their second game of the season against the GWV Rebels at MARS Stadium in Ballarat. The windy conditions made things difficult for both sides as they had trouble adjusting early. There was a cross breeze early in the game that slightly favoured the Wendouree end, yet the breeze became more prominent as the game went on. The Rebels could not take advantage of this early breeze and despite having more of the ball, were not able to register a goal in the first term. The Stingrays defence held up well with the key defender Zoe Hill, making things difficult for the Rebels.

The Stingrays took advantage of the wind in the second quarter, and the Rebels really struggled to get any penetration on their kicks. Rebels captain, Sophie Molan, attempted to lead the way and prove to her teammates what was required when kicking into the wind, but the Stingrays were simply too good. Tyanna Smith had a great quarter, finding space around the ground, and producing an amazing highlight. Smith cleanly scooped up the ball on the wing, took a bounce and kicked the ball long into the Stingray forward line. Unfortunately for Isabella Simmons, the Stingray’s third goal for the quarter came from her running the ball out of the square the wrong way and kicking it long into the Stingrays forward line. The goal was duly converted. This was even more unfortunate, as Simmons would have been one of the leading possession winners on the ground at the time, and also one of the Rebels best.

The third quarter was exciting, and the Rebels announced that they were not going to be pushed over. After Stingrays ruck Georgia Howes left early in the quarter, the Rebels were dominant at stoppages. Molan again led the way, going forward and kicking two goals in six minutes, and there was a sense at the ground, that the tide was changing. Ella Wood also started to get her hands on the footy a lot more, having an important 5 minutes when the Stringrays resistance began. It was not enough for the Rebels. Isabella Shannon kicked a goal against the run of play, but the dagger blow game when the Stingrays kicked another, after a brutal 50 metre penalty that brought them within point blank range and only 30 seconds in the quarter remaining. This meant that Stingrays increased their buffer back to 3 goals, and severely impacted the Rebels comeback.

Chloe Leonard started the final quarter well for the Rebels, winning back to back clearances and attempting desperately to bring the margin back within reason. Yet the Stingrays finally put the game away after the seven minute mark of the final term, after Molly McDonald goaled with a volley from the goal square. There would be some concerns for the Rebels with Wood going off late with a shoulder injury, but the game was much closer than the score line suggested.

Molan was impressed with the young Rebels’ sides fight.

“Our effort was much better this week. I thought we showed a lot of intensity at the ball, and when we used it well, we were really hard to stop,” she said. “It was just those couple of slight brain fades at the end of the quarters which made it really hard to get back into the match.” Molan also did not want to blame the wind for the sides struggles in the second and final quarters stating, “we haven’t played a game where it hasn’t been windy yet, and we’re used to it because of the lack of protection at this ground. It does make a difference, but we train here and we play here, we need to get used to it!”

Stingray Isabella Shannon was the best player on the field, and an absolute moral for votes in the league count, but Molly McDonald and Tyanna Smith were also solid contributors for the Stingrays. For the home side, the captain Sophie Molan led from the front, but Ella Wood and Chloe Leonard were also terrific.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 (9)
CALDER CANNONS 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 4.8 (32)

By Peter Williams

GOALS:

Sandringham: E. Stuber.
Calder: G. Elarmaly, H. Cooke, N. Crowley, A. Magri.

BEST:

Sandringham: A. Burke, W. Laing, S. Hartwig, C. Saultry, E. McNamara, S. Trim.
Calder: K. Petrevski, Z. Friswell, G. Prespakis, H. Cooke, Z. Hardiman, G. Elarmaly.

Calder Cannons won their third consecutive match with a terrific last term to overrun a determined Sandringham Dragons outfit, handing the Dragons their third consecutive loss to start the 2019 season. Both teams were evenly matched throughout the game, and it took until the final term for the undefeated Cannons to finally shake off their opponents in challenging conditions at Trevor Barker Oval. Emma Stuber booted the first goal of the game for the Dragons to get them off to the perfect start, and due to weather conditions, the home side added the only score – one behind – in the second term to head into half-time with a five-point advantage. Calder dominated the third term, peppering the goals but could not find a major until Alisa Magri finally put through a goal after a great kick from Georgie Prespakis. They led by five points at the final break, but ran out the last quarter stronger, as Haylea Cooke booted the first less than two minutes into the quarter, then a couple of late ones to Gloria Elarmaly and Neve Crowley sealed the deal in a 4.8 (32) to 1.3 (9) victory. Krstel Petrevski was impressive throughout, particularly early as she collected 16 disposals, laid three tackles and had four inside 50s, while Prespakis had 23 disposals, three marks, four inside 50s, two rebounds and eight tackles, while missing a couple of chances on goal. For the Dragons, Alice Burke was enormous laying 10 tackles from 16 disposals and six marks, laying some crucials smothers as well. Sarah Hartwig was impressive in defence with 13 disposals, three marks, five tackles and six rebounds, while Winnie Laing and Eliza McNamara had 11 touches each on the inside.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS 2.0 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 5.7 (37)
WESTERN JETS 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.6 (12)

By: Taylah Melki

GOALS:

Northern: A. Bannan 2, T. Pulcino, M. Ramsay, B. Gutknecht.
Western: N. Wright.

BEST:

Northern: G. Newton, B. Gutknecht, J. Fitzgerald, S. Sansonetti, E. McKenzie, A. Bennett
Western: R. Tripodi, E. Georgostathis, T. Kolevski, E. Quinn, C. Sargent, J. Woods

The Northern Knights stamped their authority on the competition with a 25-point victory over the Western Jets at RAMS Arena. After a relatively close start, Northern put on the after burners to push the lead out and did not look back keeping the Jets goalless in the second half. The Knights looked like a polished outfit with the likes of Gabby Newton, Ellie McKenzie and Britney Gutknecht starring in the middle and contributing to the scoreboard. The three were clean with ball in hand and worked tirelessly across the ground to win the footy in the contest. For the Western Jets, Elisabeth Georgostathis once again dominated going in hard at the stoppages and using her speed to try and break away from the packs but it was not enough to stop the Knights who were on top across the field. Ruby Tripodi was a tackling machine and got hands to plenty of ball throughout the game and combined well with Western teammate, Taylah Kolevski.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 0.4 | 0.11 | 1.11 | 4.12 (36)
GIPPSLAND POWER 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 1.3 (9)

By: Peter Williams

GOALS:

Murray: O. Barber 2, L. Sharp, T. Verhoeven.
Gippsland: G. McRae.

BEST:

Murray: O. Barber, T. Brett, A. Favell, C. Hargreaves, M. Quade, Z. Spencer.
Gippsland: M. Van Berkel, M. Fitzsimon, G. McRae, C. Abrahams, M. Shaw.

Murray Bushrangers made it two wins on the trot with a hard-fought victory over the winless Gippsland Power at RAMS Arena. Following a disappointing Round 1 defeat to Northern Knights, the Bushrangers have strung two impressive wins together, with the latest being a 4.12 (36) to 1.3 (9) win against the Power yesterday. Neither side could find the big sticks in the first half, with the Bushrangers holding the Power scoreless to half-time, while booting 11 behinds themselves. Olivia Barber looked impressive early, but missed a couple of close chances, before being rewarded in the second half with a couple of majors. The Bushrangers booted the last four goals of the game after Grace McRae became the first goalkicker with a major in the tenth minute. It put the Power within three points, before Barber gave the Bushrangers deserved breathing space at the final break by eight points. They managed to finally get reward for effort in the last quarter with Barber, Lily Sharp and Tali Verhoeven all slotting goals to secure the 27-point victory. Barber was the best on ground with her work inside 50, but the defensive work of Matilda Van Berkel, Megan Fitzsimon and Maddison Shaw was critical in the Power staying in the contest. Abby Favell and Grace McRae were prominent in midfield for their respective sides, while Teagan Brett put out another consistent performance as well. Chelsea Hargreaves was impressive up the Bushrangers’ defensive end, while Chandra Abrahams laid a number of strong tackles and defensive efforts.

EASTERN RANGES 0.2 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 4.7 (31)
OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 1.2 | 2.3 | 3.7 | 3.7 (25)

By: Taylah Melki

GOALS:

Eastern: T. Flintoff, R. Hall, L. Hilton, L. McClelland.
Oakleigh: E. Harley, A. Peck, J. D”Amato.

BEST:

Eastern: E. Horne, R. Hall, T. Flintoff, O. Meagher, T. Brown, S. Zappia
Oakleigh: C. Rowbottom, G. Lagioia, G. Larkey, E. Jackson, A. Micallef, M. Bertuna

After a slow start to the game the Eastern Ranges claimed their second win of the season against the Oakleigh Chargers. The Ranges kept the Chargers scoreless in the second half of the match piling on two goals themselves. Emma Horne proved to be a key player for the Ranges while teammate Laura McClelland slotted a major. Tarni Brown was instrumental across the field while Riley Hall was solid for the Ranges who went home six point winners. Tess Flintoff was also amongst the best for Eastern chipping in with one major and getting her hands to plenty of ball throughout the game. For the Chargers, the likes of Charlie Rowbottom and Gemma Lagioia were impressive with Rowbottom racking up the touches. Emily Harley and Jasmine D’Amato combined to score two goals between them and keep the Chargers in the game.

GEELONG FALCONS 2.2 | 5.2 | 6.5 | 9.5 (59)
BENDIGO PIONEERS 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.4 (10)

By: Michael Alvaro

GOALS: 

Geelong:M. Skinner 4, E. Vella, I. Long, R. Tierney, L. Ryan, A. Chapman 
Bendigo: M. Ward

BEST:

Geelong: L. Gardiner, P. Sheppard, L. Lesosky-Hay, M. Skinner, K. Haustorfer, P. Schapp
Bendigo: B. Hards, K. Douglass, E. Snell, M. Tupper, J. Jolliffe, D. Villiva

The Geelong Falcons kept their perfect NAB League record in tact with another dominant display on Sunday, accounting for Bendigo Pioneers by 49 points. 

With their wings unclipped atop the table, the Falcons looked sturdy across every line throughout the game and put the result beyond much doubt early on. Mia Skinner was at the centre of each Geelong attack, booting three first-half goals and ending with a bag of four to have seven in the last two games. Her forward partners, Renee Tierney and Elise Vella, were also dangerous but Skinner prevailed as the sole Falcons multiple goal kicker. Typically stingy in defence, the Falcons kept their opponents goalless across three quarters for the second week running, but Mia Ward broke through for the Pioneers in a fighting final term to slot through her side’s only major. Skipper Lucy McEvoy was thrown back in the final term as Abbey Chapman went forward and fetched a goal, but was worn tightly all day by Bendigo’s Brooke Hards. While the Pioneers were valiant, the ladder leaders were simply too strong and flex their muscle to run out comfortable winners.