THIS past week in NAB League Girls action saw a couple more make-up games take place alongside the regular Round 7 action, with Dandenong, Sandringham, and Eastern all facing quick turnarounds from their midweek bouts. Two contests were decided by the narrowest of margins on the weekend, with three sides also kept scoreless across four quarters in the results below. That, and more in our weekly wrap.

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DANDENONG STINGRAYS 0.3 | 2.6 | 4.7 | 5.7 (37)
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 (3)
Note: Round 2 fixture

By: Peter Williams

GOALS:

Dandenong: A. Richards 2, H. Monk, A. Liddle, A. Clarke.
Sandringham: Nil.

DC BEST:

Dandenong: A. Richards, J. Radford, F. Crank, A. Clarke, C. Ryan
Sandringham: K. Lynch, S. Hurley, P. Staltari, A. Thompson, E. Sciberras

Dandenong Stingrays snapped a two-game losing streak with a dominant defensive display under lights at a windswept Casey Fields on Wednesday night. The Stingrays battled to a lead in the first half, but only managed the three behinds in the first term, credit to the Dragons’ defence.

The Stingrays started to capitalise on their efforts in the second term, but it was not until Hayley Monk slotted a goal right on the siren that handed the home team an 18-point advantage. From then on, the Stingrays never looked like losing, though the Dragons never threw in the towel either, adding their only three scores of the game – three behinds – in the last quarter, to go down by 34 points, 5.7 (37) to 0.3 (3).

Ash Richards had a massive game up forward and rotating through the midfield with two majors, whilst the likes of Jemma Radford and Felicity Crank stepped up throughout the match, and Amber Clarke and Charley Ryan showed touches of class throughout the contest. The Dragons still put in a solid performance across the board, with Kiana Lynch a clear standout rebounding everything out of defence, and the likes of Sofia Hurley and Pia Staltari impressive in midfield, and Abby Thompson and Ella Sciberras rock steady in defence.

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Ashleigh Richards (Dandenong Stingrays)
4 – Jemma Radford (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Kiana Lynch (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Felicity Crank (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Amber Clarke (Dandenong Stingrays)

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CALDER CANNONS 2.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 5.5 (35)
EASTERN RANGES 2.1 | 4.2 | 5.5 | 6.6 (42)

By: Michael Alvaro

Eastern Ranges won out in a game with heavy finals ramifications, defeating the Calder Cannons by seven points at Highgate Recreation Reserve on Thursday night. The Ranges steadily built their lead across the second and third terms, before holding firm in the last to take out a richly deserved 6.6 (42) to 5.5 (35) victory. It came four days after Eastern’s late loss to Northern, making the resistant win all the more satisfying.

Georgie Prespakis led all comers with 27 touches in a losing effort, winning the ball in all parts of the ground and pumping Calder forward. Mia Busch topped Eastern’s disposal tally with 23 on the back of some persistent work in defence, while Alyssia Pisano booted three classy goals up the other end. Teammates Keeley Sherar and Bridget Deed were again solid in midfield, battling well against Emelia Yassir and Zali Friswell, as Neve Crowley continues to thrive in a new forward role.

Both sides are set to suit up next on Saturday, with the Cannons preparing to face Western while Eastern takes on Sandringham in a set of all-Metro fixtures in Round 8.

GOALS:

Calder: A. Magri, T. Gillard, J. Zakkour, G. Prespakis, E. Yassir
Eastern: A. Pisano 3, G. Wilson, M. Hardy, B. Deed

DC BEST:

Calder: G. Prespakis, N. Crowley, Z. Friswell, E. Yassir, T. Gillard
Eastern: M. Busch, A. Pisano, K. Sherar, G. Walsh, C. Willsmore, B. Deed

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Georgie Prespakis (Calder Cannons)
4 – Mia Busch (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Keeley Sherar (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Neve Crowley (Calder Cannons)

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BENDIGO PIONEERS 1.4 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.11 (35)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 2.0 | 3.0 | 5.4 | 5.6 (36)

By: Declan Reeve

Inaccuracy cost Bendigo Pioneers an upset win over the Dandenong Stingrays, with the Rays coming out one-point victors after an absolutely thrilling finish to the Saturday afternoon contest at Epsom Huntly Reserve. The game was a contested scrap throughout which was highlighted on the scoreboard, with neither team really getting a substantial lead throughout the day. The final quarter saw a big surge from the Bendigo Pioneers, but the ball was pushed over the boundary line in the final minute and ultimately chewed up too much time for them to get a score through. 

Both teams had some solid contributors in the scrap, with Elizabeth Snell having a fantastic game through the midfield, assisted well by Drew Ryan and Octavia Di Donato as they battled against a determined Dandenong midfield that bats fairly deep. Dandenong saw big performances from bottom aged duo Amber Clarke and Mackenzie Eardley who both got themselves two goals on the day to get the Stingrays over the line, with the help of Olivia Robinson through the midfield and on the scoreboard.

Round 8 sees both these sides playing at Trevor Barker Beach Oval in an all-country double header, with the Stingrays taking on Murray Bushrangers at 11:30am and Bendigo taking on Gippsland Power at 1:30pm.

GOALS:

Bendigo: C. Mitchell, O. Di Donato, J. Douglas, L. Painter
Dandenong: A. Clarke 2, M. Eardley 2, O. Robinson

DC BEST:

Bendigo: E. Snell, O. Di Donato, D. Ryan, L. Keck, T. Slender
Dandenong: A. Clarke, M. Eardley, O. Robinson, Z. Hill, F. Crank

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Amber Clarke (Dandenong Stingrays)
4 – Mackenzie Eardley (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Elizabeth Snell (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – Octavia Di Donato (Bendigo Pioneers)
1 – Olivia Robinson (Dandenong Stingrays)

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GIPPSLAND POWER 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 (1)
MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 1.1 | 1.4 | 5.5 | 7.6 (48)

By: Michael Alvaro

The Murray Bushrangers collected their first points of season 2021, downing Gippsland Power by 47 points on neutral territory at Highgate Recreation Reserve. While the final score makes for ominous reading, both sides came out with fierce intent and produced a largely competitive match, with the Bushies’ six-goal second half ensuring they would break away and finish 7.6 (48) to 0.1 (1) victors. There was a lack of polish at times, but plenty of memorable passages between the country regions.

Aurora Smith was superb in the win, collecting a game-high 25 disposals between the arcs with her speed and work-rate evident. Zara Hamilton was another of Murray’s best alongside Keeley Skepper, while Olivia Cicolini and Lily Sharp deservedly finished with two goals apiece. Gippsland owed plenty to the efforts of Lily-Rose Williamson and Matilda van Berkel down back, as Yasmin Duursma gave it her all in midfield. Talls standouts Ally Morphett and Grace Matser also enjoyed a good tussle through the ruck.

Gippsland’s next assignment comes against another country region in Bendigo on Saturday, while Murray prepares to take on the highly-fancied Dandenong Stingrays on the same day in Round 8.

GOALS:

Gippsland: Nil
Murray: L. Sharp 2, O. Cicolini 2, K. Adams, S. McCarthy, A. Morphett

DC BEST:

Gippsland: L. Williamson, Ma. Van Berkel, Y. Duursma, P. Tracey, G. Matser, G. McRae
Murray: A. Smith, Z. Hamilton, O. Cicolini, K. Skepper, I. Lehman, A. Morphett

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Aurora Smith (Murray Bushrangers)
4 – Lily-Rose Williamson (Gippsland Power)
3 – Zara Hamilton (Murray Bushrangers)
2 – Matilda Van Berkel (Gippsland Power)
1 – Olivia Cicolini (Murray Bushrangers)

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SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 0.1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 2.3 (15)
WESTERN JETS 1.0 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 2.4 (16)

By: Michael Alvaro

In a wet and windy thriller at RSEA Park, the Western Jets clawed their way to a one-point victory over Sandringham Dragons thanks to some desperate last ditch efforts. The low-scoring slog saw just four goals kicked, but the cream truly rose to the top amid hotly contested passages. Western snuck ahead in term three and somehow held on to win with the ball locked in Sandringham’s forward 50 in the dying stages. Ultimately, the 2.4 (16) to 2.3 (15) result proved yet another game of the year contender.

Western stars Charlotte Baskaran and Montana Ham were unsurprisingly in the thick of things and both ticked over 25 disposals, with the likes of Sofia Hurley and Charlotte Ryan among Sandringham’s key ball winners. Chloe Saultry was also important down back for the Dragons, as Pia Staltari‘s class shone through and Ebony Angelopoulos proved dangerous up forward. Jemima Woods got on the board for Western and was lively, while Leah Spargo led valiantly and Kiera Leare posed a threat in the front half.

Both sides are set for another round of metro opposition, with Sandringham facing the in-form Eastern Ranges on Saturday in Round 8, while Western readies to take on Calder on the same day.

GOALS:

Western: K. Leare, J. Woods
Sandringham: P. Staltari, A. Luca

DC BEST:

Western: C. Baskaran, M. Ham, J. Woods, L. Spargo, K. Leare, K. Whiley
Sandringham: S. Hurley, C. Ryan, P. Staltari, C. Saultry, E. Angelopoulos, E. Stuber

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Charlotte Baskaran (Western Jets)
4 – Sofia Hurley (Sandringham Dragons)
3 – Charlotte Ryan (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Montana Ham (Western Jets)
1 – Jemima Woods (Western Jets)

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GEELONG FALCONS 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.3 (9)
NORTHERN KNIGHTS 2.1 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 4.10 (34)

By: Declan Reeve

The Northern Knights stunned Geelong Falcons at Deakin University on Sunday, winning by 25 points, with their quick ball movement by hand and speed through the middle of the ground proving too much for the Falcons to contain. The Knights almost got through the game without conceding a goal, as Maeve Chaplin led the way in her return outing after missing the previous fixture.

It was a day to remember for bottom aged forward Riley Wilcox who was everywhere, creating a lot for her teammates around the ground, with Gulia Ceravolo, Tarrah Delgado and Tannah Hurst doing plenty of work behind the ball, and midfielder Teleah Smart getting in amongst it for the Knights. The Falcons were led by Annie Lee who did her best to generate drive from the backline, with midfielders Tess Craven and Poppy Schaap working hard around the ground to keep Geelong in it.

Round 8 sees Geelong hosting Oakleigh Chargers at the same oval at 2:30pm on Saturday, with Northern heading to the Apple Isle to play Tasmania Devils at the same time.

GOALS:

Geelong: I. Houtsma
Northern: T. Delgado, M. Appleby, M. Chaplin, R. Wilcox

DC BEST:

Geelong: T. Craven, A. Lee, P. Schaap, T. Morrow, Z. Garth, M. McGrath
Northern: M. Chaplin, R. Wilcox, T. Hurst, B. Plummer, T. Smart

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Maeve Chaplin (Northern Knights)
4 – Riley Wilcox (Northern Knights)
3 – Tess Craven (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Annie Lee (Geelong Falcons)
1 – Tannah Hurst (Northern Knights)

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GWV REBELS 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 (2)
OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 0.3 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 4.5 (29)

By: Michael Alvaro

Oakleigh kept its perfect 2021 record in tact on Sunday, keeping the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels goalless to win by 27 points at Mars Stadium. The Chargers were without a goal themselves after term one, but soon enough found some scoring form with two goals in the second term, and singles in the remaining quarters to run out 4.5 (29) to 0.2 (2) victors, seeing their record extend to 6-0 atop the NAB League Girls ladder.

A trio of Chargers stood out on the day; with Stella Reid continuing her outstanding form, Amanda Ling again doing the hard yards in midfield, and Brooke Vickers advancing up the ground to roam a wing in their side’s win. The Rebels also had some terrific contributors as the likes of Nyakoat Dojiok, Chloe Leonard and Lilli Condon all found plenty of the ball while also getting their hands dirty going the other way. Kalani Scoullar also had a day out in the ruck with 37 hitouts.

Oakleigh will again prepare for a country opponent and road trip as Geelong awaits on Saturday afternoon, while GWV prepares to host the Northern Territory Thunder Academy on Sunday, once again at Mars Stadium.

GOALS:

GWV: Nil
Oakleigh: S. Morley, S. Reid, B. Vickers, C. Rowbottom

DC BEST:

GWV: N. Dojiok, C. Leonard, L. Condon, M. Walton, K. Scoullar, E. Friend
Oakleigh: S. Reid, B. Vickers, A. Ling, L. Hart, C. Van der Vlies, C. Rowbottom

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Stella Reid (Oakleigh Chargers)
4 – Brooke Vickers (Oakleigh Chargers)
3 – Amanda Ling (Oakleigh Chargers)
2 – Nyakoat Dojiok (GWV Rebels)
1 – Chloe Leonard (GWV Rebels)

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EASTERN RANGES 2.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.1 (37)
TASMANIA DEVILS 2.0 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 4.2 (26)
Note: Round 2 fixture

By: Peter Williams

Eastern Ranges picked up back-to-back wins against two of the top sides in four days, defeating Tasmania Devils in a Round 3 clash, making up for the fixture that was missed due to the Victorian snap lockdown that required Tasmanians to serve 14 days quarantine upon return to the Apple Isle. In this match, it was the Ranges who got the better of the Devils, handing Tasmania its second loss of the season, with a 6.1 (37) to 4.2 (26) victory at Highgate Recreation Reserve.

Alyssia Pisano was again lively up forward, slotting two goals in the win, with the Ranges slotting 5.0 to the final break, including 3.0 to 0.2 across the middle two quarters. Bridget Deed closed the door on a potential Devils comeback with a last quarter major, before the Devils built some momentum into their next game with two gaols in the final term.

Ruby O’Dwyer was impressive alongside Deed, whilst Mia Busch was strong in defence, and Jorja Livingstone and Matilda Hardy also among the best. For the Devils, Jemma Webster continued her great form of late, while Pia King was a tackling machine, and the additional midfield trio of Claire Ransom, Meghan Gaffney and Ella Maurer were all busy again.

GOALS:

Eastern: A. Pisano, E. Chaston, M. Hardy, I. Khoury, B. Deed
Tasmania: K. Hennessy, M. Edwards, A. Prokopiec, A. Bissett

DC BEST:

Eastern: M. Busch, R. O’Dwyer, B. Deed, J. Livingstone, M. Hardy
Tasmania: J. Webster, P. King, C. Ransom, M. Gaffney, E. Maurer

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Mia Busch (Eastern Ranges)
4 – Ruby O’Dwyer (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Jemma Webster (Tasmania Devils)
2 – Bridget Deed (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Perri King (Tasmania Devils)