THE Geelong Falcons continued their winning streak, staking their claim as genuine finals contenders while the Western Jets notched up their second win of the season. The Gippsland Power also made their way off the bottom of the ladder with a hard fought win over the Rebels at home.

WESTERN JETS 1.3 | 2.3 | 4.8 | 5.8 (38)
TASMANIA DEVILS 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 (1)

By: Sophie Taylor

GOALS:

Western: E. Quinn 2, J. Goodman 2, C. Saxon-Jones.
Tasmania: Nil.

BEST:

Western: E. Georgostathis, J. Goodman, L. Wright, I. Pritchard, P. Ozols, R. Tripodi
Tasmania: E. Brickhill, E. Dixon, A. Prokopiec, H. Smith, M. King, A. Clark

It was a cold and wet game on Friday night footy over the weekend as the Western Jets hosted the Tasmania Devils at RAMS Arena, registering their second win of the season with a 37 point margin. The Jets had all the momentum early, keeping the ball inside 50 for majority of the first quarter as Tasmania struggled to get boot to ball. The Devils showed some good defensive play before the Jets were able to take advantage of a dropped mark and get their first goal on the board courtesy of Jasmine Goodman (two goals, 14 disposals) for her first of the night. Jets struggled with accuracy throughout the match, wasting opportunities forward and spraying the ball across the face to register minor scores. Despite the likes of Isabelle Pritchard (18 disposals, five tackles) and Elisabeth Georgostathis (24 disposals, seven tackles) in fine form spoiling the Devils’ chances at goal, Western did themselves no favours bombing the ball inside 50, while their difficulty converting meant the Devils were able to hold onto a fighting chance if they were to get a score on the board. Mia King, Ellen Brickhill and Amy Prokopiec were among the best for Tasmania, as King racked up 16 touches off half back while Brickhill picked up 14 of her own, as well as a behind in the final quarter to get the Devils on the board. Prokopiec was prolific in defence, notching up 14 touches and eight rebound 50s. Despite only getting the one score for the match in the final term, the Devils showcased some good skill and pressure around the ball, registering 54 tackles to the Jets’ 60.

CALDER CANNONS 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0| 1.0 (6)
GEELONG FALCONS 2.1 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 (20)

By: Taylah Melki

GOALS:

Calder: G. Patrikios.
Falcons: T. Lewis 2, P. Sheppard.

BEST:

Calder: G. Patrikios, P. Poultney, F. Theodore, G. Prespakis, A. Barba, T. Gillard
Falcons: A. Chapman, D. Smith, E. Dowling, P. Sheppard, S. Hovey, E. Mahoney

The Geelong Falcons claimed their seventh consecutive win of the season unfazed by the final term come back from the Cannons. They kept Calder goalless up until the fourth minute of the final term while the Falcons themselves did not manage to register a score after half time. The game was mainly played between the arcs with both sides contesting hard throughout the game. Georgie Prespakis and Georgia Patrikios combined exceptionally well across the ground for the Cannons, using their speed, spatial awareness and clean hands at the stoppages to push their side forward. Tahlia Gillard and Alana Barba were also important for the Cannons working tirelessly but it was so to no avail with the Falcons flexing their muscles around the contest. Tamika Lewis was solid up forward for the Falcons slotting two goals she was ably assisted by teammate Paige Sheppard who also chipped in on the scoreboard and around the ground. Captain Lucy McEvoy was also impressive for Geelong leading the way for her side with 12 tackles and five marks while also racking up the possessions to finish the game with a side high 23 touches. Luka Lesosky-Hay also won plenty of the ball but was unable to capitalise with ball in hand at times.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 0.1 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 5.6 (30)
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 1.11 (17)

By: Taylah Melki

GOALS:

Murray: O. Barber 3, K. Adams, M. Jones.
Sandringham: L. Enders.

BEST:

Murray: M. Brown, O. Barber, T. Brett, K. Adams, L. Sharp, M. Trethowan
Sandringham: G. Strangio, D. Walker, S. Hartwig, S. Trim, C. Cody, K. Lynch

The Sandringham Dragons were good off the mark holding a nine point lead at quarter time but were unable to maintain that intensity falling to the Bushrangers who overran them. Sandringham were inaccurate in front of goal missing multiple opportunities to secure a win. On the other hand the Bushrangers made the most of it when they went forward and applied plenty of pressure to remain in the hunt and convert when they needed to. A big second quarter from Olivia Barber spurred her team on to success nailing two crucial goals before putting the nail in the coffin in the final term to slot her third for the game. Kate Adams was equally as impressive for Murray working her way around the ground and scoring a major while the likes of Abby Favell also made her presence felt on the field laying some crunching tackles (four) and winning the ball at the coalface finishing with a game high 23 disposals. Millie Brown was also prolific for the Bushies who valued her ferocity and run and carry across the ground racking up six rebound 50s, 22 touches and four tackles. For Sandringham, Alice Burke recorded the highest touches with 16 disposals while her teammate Sarah Hartwig was influential across the ground with her 16 possessions, five rebound 50s and five tackles. Gemma Strangio was also impressive for the Dragons while Lily Enders scored her teams only goal for the game and picked up a couple of disposals around the field.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS 1.3 | 1.3 | 2.4 | 2.4 (16)
OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 2.2 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 7.7 (49)

By: Brandon Hutchinson

GOALS:

Dandenong: J. Anthony 2.
Oakleigh: E. James, M. Bertuna, J. Lin, A. Porter, C. O’Malley, G. Lagioia, J. D’Amato.

BEST:

Dandenong: M. Pearson, P. Swayn, M. McDonald, A. Jordan, L. Grocock, J. Anthony
Oakleigh: J. Lin, T. Morton, A. van Oosterwijck, K. Kearns (two players listed that didn’t play)

Oakleigh Chargers earn some much-needed separation from Dandenong Stingrays with a big away win at Shepley Oval on Saturday. Despite the quick response to Oakleigh’s opening goal in the first, Dandenong were unable to hold on as the Chargers surged away in the second, kicking four to one by the main break. Leading into the third, Oakleigh showed no signs of slowing, adding two more to the board with Dandenong responding late. The home side managed to defend well in the final quarter, letting through one, but ultimately conceded defeat 2.4 (16) to 7.7 (49). Emily Harley was pivotal to Oakleigh’s victory, recording 20 disposals, four marks and three rebounds, while Eliza James stood up in the midfield with 19 disposals, four marks, five inside 50s and a goal. Joanna Lin also had a season-best performance, collecting 18 disposals, three marks, six tackles, two inside 50s and a goal. Taylah Morton, Amelia Van Oosterwijck and Alana Porter were also among their team’s best, while Kalarni Kearns performed well in the ruck. For Dandenong, Lucy Grocock was among their best with 10 disposals, three marks and 10 tackles, while Molly McDonald continued to dominate off half-back. Jaide Anthony kicked two in her first game with two marks and two tackles, while Abbey Jordan remained pivotal alongside teammate’s Madeline Pearson and Piper Swayn.

GIPPSLAND POWER 0.1 | 1.2 | 4.4 | 5.4 (34)
GREATER WESTERN VICTORIA REBELS 1.2 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 4.4 (28)

By: Brandon Hutchinson

GOALS:

Gippsland Power: K. Te Huia 2, N. Webber 2, M. Fitzsimon
GWV Rebels: V. Jewell, I. Robson, S. Molan, E. Wood

BEST:

Gippsland Power: G. McRae, M. Van Berkel, M. Fitzsimon, C. Abrahams, N. Webber, M. Shaw
GWV Rebels: N. Butler, L. Condon, M. Caris, E. Wood, V. Jewell

In one of the tightest finishes of the season, Gippsland Power endured a fierce contest against GWV Rebels, earning a six-point victory at Shepley Oval on Sunday. With the game close to ending in a draw, both sides contested well throughout with neither team ever seeming out of the match. At the main break, GWV held a 13-point lead and were holding Gippsland off well. Though come the conclusion of the third, GWV were turned goalless and Gippsland had stolen the lead with a forward onslaught led by Nikia Webber. Come the final term, both teams added a goal each but GWV were pressing hard in their forward half. The rebels were awarded a chance for a kick after the siren with Sophie Molan tasked with the job 35 metres out. Unfortunately for GWV, the kick did not travel, and Gippsland left with a much-needed and rare victory.

EASTERN RANGES 1.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 3.3 (21)
TASMANIA DEVILS 1.2 | 1.3 | 2.4 | 2.4 (16)

By: Peter Williams

GOALS:

Eastern: S. Gibbs 2, T. Merrett.
Tasmania: H. Breward, B. Oates.

BEST:

Eastern: S. Gibbs, J. Dunning, E. Horne, J. Richardson, M. Kendall, L. McClelland
Tasmania: H. Smith, B. Oates, M. King, C. Lovell, P. King

Eastern Ranges have kept their finals hopes alive with a nail-biting five-point win over Tasmania Devils at RAMS Arena on Sunday. Following the Devils going down to Western by 37 points on Friday night, many would have predicted the fifth placed Ranges to win comfortably. However, it was far from the case with Tasmania booting the first goal of the game through Hannah Breward, leading at two of the four breaks, and competing for the full four quarters. In fact, had it not being for two clever snaps from Victorian Netball League netballer Serena Gibbs, Eastern might have headed home without any points and a sense of deja vu from last year where a tight loss ultimately saw them miss out. This time was different however, as the Ranges held firm, dominating the last term and having a number of chances, but it took until the thirteenth minute for Gibbs to put ball to boot amongst congestion and see it dribble through past the Devils defence. Gibbs was crucial around the ground and a standout player on the day, with her two majors and Tahlia Merrett‘s soccer goal in the first term showing Eastern had to get creative with their majors. Laura McClelland had a big last term, and was named among the best with Jessica Dunning, Emma Horne, Jenna Richardson and Mietta Kendall. For Tasmania, Mia King was all class throughout the day with some impressive ball-winning abilities, while Hannah Smith and Brianna Oates (one goal) were also named in the Devils’ best.

BENDIGO PIONEERS: 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 1.5 (11)
NORTHERN KNIGHTS: 2.4 | 4.5 | 6.8 | 9.10 (64)

By: Sophie Taylor

GOALS:

Bendigo: A. Thompson.
Northern: A. Bannan 3, G. Pirdis 2, M. Appleby 2, A. Reibelt, B. Gutknecht.

BEST:

Bendigo: M. Tupper, B. Hards, E. Snell, D. Villiva, M. Barton, K. Douglass
Northern: J. Fitzgerald, S. Sansonetti, A. Bannan, E. McKenzie, B. Gutknecht, G. Newton

Sunday’s match between the Bendigo Pioneers and Northern Knights was always shaping up to be a big one, with both sides on the higher end of the ladder. The Knights once again proved their depth and ability across the field to register another big win, still undefeated for the season and sitting in second on the ladder with two rounds to go. Clean play from the Knights saw the first two scoring shots of the game, before a goal from Maykaylah Appleby in space got the first major on the board. The Pioneers struggled under pressure from the likes of Sarah Sansonetti defensively, struggling to find avenues into their forward 50 and wasteful when opportunities came up. High, rushed kicks to the disadvantage of teammates proved ineffective as the side only managed the one major for the game. The Knights were smooth transitioning from defence through to their forward 50, with plenty of options forward and locking the ball inside 50 at turnovers. Alyssa Bannan (three goals), Georgia Purvis (two) and Appleby (two) were on song in front of goal, while Abby Thompson was Bendigo’s only goalkicker with a dribble through in the third term, courtesy of some stellar teamwork and workrate forward by the likes of Maeve Tupper and Brooke Hards.