GIPPSLAND Power have finally broken through for their first win of the NAB League Girls season, meaning every side will finish 2021 with a victory. In other results, most of the finals-bound teams grabbed wins, as Geelong Falcons upset Oakleigh Chargers, and Northern Territory Thunder got a win over the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels.

EASTERN RANGES 0.0 | 3.3 | 6.5 | 9.5 (59)
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 (10)

By: Declan Reeve

Eastern Ranges have continued their good form with a 49-point win against Sandringham Dragons at Kilsyth Recreation Reserve. The Dragons started the game well, holding the Ranges scoreless in the first quarter with some good defensive work and hardness in the middle, but from the second onwards the Ranges put their foot down and didn’t give Sandringham a sniff for the rest of the game, finishing 9.5 (59) to 1.4 (10) thanks to the efforts of multiple goal scorers Georgia Wilson (four) and Alyssia Pisano (three) in a rather clinical display for both.

Outside of Wilson and Pisano, the Ranges had some really good displays from Ruby O’Dwyer and Keeley Sherar in the midfield, with both particularly dangerous around stoppages, and reliable ball winner Bridget Deed winning plenty of it on the inside. Isabelle Khoury and Jorja Livingstone were the other main ball winners for the Ranges, with Khoury enjoying a move that saw her used more on the inside. 

Sandringham were admirable in the loss, with consistent ball winners Sofia Hurley and Emma Stuber again battling to get Sandringham clean possessions, winning it on the inside to get it out to the likes of Keely Coyne and Bridie Hipwell who both did a bit with it.

After the break of NAB League Girls action for the U19 National Championships, Eastern Ranges will finish their Home and Away season against the Northern Territory at Highgate Reserve on April 24, before heading into finals. Sandringham have the honour of playing on ANZAC Day against the Murray Bushrangers at Wangaratta Showgrounds.

GOALS:

Eastern: G. Wilson 4, A. Pisano 3, J. Vukic, J. Livingstone.
Sandringham: M. Mottram.

DC BEST:

Eastern: G. Wilson, I. Khoury, K. Sherar, A. Pisano, B. Deed, J. Livingstone
Sandringham: S. Hurley, E. Stuber, B. Hipwell, K. Coyne, E. Angelopoulos

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Georgia Wilson (Eastern Ranges)
4 – Isabelle Khoury (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Keeley Sherar (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Sofia Hurley (Sandringham Dragons)

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CALDER CANNONS 2.1 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 5.2 (32)
WESTERN JETS 0.2 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 2.9 (21)

By: Peter Williams

Calder Cannons secured their finals spot with a hard-earned 11-point win over the only challenger who could knock them from their spot in the Western Jets. The Jets had more than their fair share of forward half possession, and it reflected on the scoreboard with 11 scoring shots to seven. Unfortunately for the visitors, they could not convert those scores into goals, kicking six straight behinds in the first half until Caitlin Sargent finally slotted the Jets’ first. Whilst they kept the Cannons to just one goal in the middle two quarters, a costly 50-metre penalty allowed Alisa Magri to boot her second, and then Jessica Zakkour finished off the game with a goal to secure the 5.2 (32) to 2.9 (21) win.

Zali Friswell was really busy through midfield, as Tahlia Gillard offered herself up as an option in transition as well. Running hard on the wing, Mali McLeod found plenty of it, whilst Georgie Prespakis, Ruby Smith and Abbey McDonald were all really impressive. It was a team effort with Magri’s two goals and the mosquito fleet in the forward half creating the chances.

For Western, it was the usual suspects with Charlotte Baskaran and Montana Ham having the ball on a string. Jemima Woods showed some class in the midfield as well, while Paige Ryan and Stephanie Asciak also won plenty of the footy. Ciara Singleton and Krystal Russell were also influential around the ground.

Calder Cannons finished their NAB League Girls campaign up against Geelong Falcons, whilst the Jets lock horns with Bendigo Pioneers. The games were originally scheduled for Avalon Airport Oval, but that is yet to be confirmed.

GOALS:

Calder: A. Magri 2, Z. Friswell, G. Prespakis, J. Zakkour.
Western: C. Sargent, E. Tyson.

DC BEST:

Calder: Z. Friswell, T. Gillard, G. Prespakis, M. McLeod, A. McDonald
Western: C. Baskaran, J. Woods, M. Ham, K. Russell, C. Singleton

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Charlotte Baskaran (Western Jets)
4 – Zali Friswell (Calder Cannons)
3 – Tahlia Gillard (Calder Cannons)
2 – Jemima Woods (Western Jets)
1 – Georgie Prespakis (Calder Cannons)

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TASMANIA DEVILS 1.4 | 2.4 | 3.6 | 6.8 (44)
NORTHERN KNIGHTS 0.5 | 3.5 | 5.5 | 5.7 (37)

By Hamish Spence

A gutsy final quarter comeback from Tasmania Devils saw it prevail by seven points against the Northern Knights in Launceston. In a thrilling and tight contest, Tasmania overcame an 11-point deficit at three-quarter time to kick the last three goals of the game and keep Northern goalless in the last. The Knights cut the Devils up at times with their slick and fast ball-movement out of stoppages and going forward, including a burst at the start of the second quarter where they kicked three goals in five minutes. But Tasmania was always in the contest and put together a complete performance in the final term to come out on top.

Amy Bissett was the match-winner, with two of her three goals coming in the final quarter to get Tasmania the win. Perri King, Ella Maurer and Jemma Webster all had moments in the midfield, with Maurer standing out with the way she competed around stoppages when the Devils were behind. Charlotte Vandenberg won a game-high 26 hit outs and made a noticeable difference whenever she attended a ruck contest. Candice Belbin was one of the Devils’ primary movers out of the backline.

Maeve Chaplin, Ava Jordan, Teleah Smart and Maykaylah Appleby were all slick and dominant at times through the middle for Northern. Chaplin (26 disposals) and Jordan (25 disposals) were the two leading disposal getters on the ground, while Smart (two goals) and Appleby (one goal) made an impact on the scoreboard. Tannah Hurst continued her excellent season deep in defence, while Tarrah Delgado took advantage of some of the Devils’ shallow inside 50 entries with a game-high eight rebound 50s.

GOALS:

Tasmania: A. Bissett 3, T. Kikoak, G. Clark, S. Saward.
Northern: T. Smart 2, E. Smallacombe, M. Appleby, L. Jatczak.

DC BEST:

Tasmania: A. Bissett, E. Maurer, C. Belbin, C. Vandenberg, P. King, J. Webster
Northern: M. Chaplin, T. Smart, A. Jordan, M. Appleby, T. Hurst, T. Delgado

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Amy Bissett (Tasmania Devils)
4 – Maeve Chaplin (Northern Knights)
3 – Teleah Smart (Northern Knights)
2 – Ella Maurer (Tasmania Devils)
1 – Ava Jordan (Northern Knights)

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GEELONG FALCONS 1.2 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 5.4 (34)
OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 2.0 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 3.5 (23)

By: Declan Reeve

Oakleigh Chargers have lost their first game eight rounds into the season, with a strong Geelong Falcons outfit – which had a couple of key inclusions from the week prior – winning the midfield battle and keeping the pressure on the Chargers backline all day. They did most of the damage in an impressive second quarter display kicking 3.2 to just the 0.2 behinds from Oakleigh. The Falcons defence held up well in the second half despite a determined Oakleigh outfit, summing up a team effort well.

The Falcons engine duo of Poppy Schaap and Tess Craven worked really well throughout the day, often combining as a one-two punch from stoppages and getting it in deep, where Renee Tierney was involved in everything to create goals for her side. Down the other end Elizabeth Dowling and Annie Lee were constant obstacles for Chargers when they went forward.

Charlie Rowbottom managed to win the most ball of any Oakleigh player even with her increased time up forward, while Amanda Ling, Brooke Vickers and Charlotte Taylor the other ball winners in the midfield, as Erin Woodford put in a great defensive performance, and Stella Reid was good in multiple positions.

Round 9 will see the Geelong Falcons hosting Calder Cannons at a yet to be determined venue, whereas the Oakleigh Chargers know they will be hosting the Gippsland Power at Warrawee Park on the afternoon of Saturday April 24.

GOALS:

Geelong: M. Van Dyke 2, R. Tierney, G. Featherston, Z. Garth.
Oakleigh: S. Reid, S. Morley, C. Taylor.

DC BEST:

Geelong: P. Schapp, R. Tierney, T. Craven, E. Dowling, A. Lee
Oakleigh: C. Taylor, C. Rowbottom, E. Woodford, A. Ling, S. Reid

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Poppy Schapp (Geelong Falcons)
4 – Renee Tierney (Geelong Falcons)
3 – Charlotte Taylor (Oakleigh Chargers)
2 – Tess Craven (Geelong Falcons)
1 – Charlie Rowbottom (Oakleigh Chargers) 

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DANDENONG STINGRAYS 2.1 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 8.5 (53)
MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.4 (10)

By: Michael Alvaro

Dandenong Stingrays kicked off Sunday’s double-header at Trevor Barker Oval with a comfortable 43-point win over Murray Bushrangers. The finals-bound Stingrays were met by a competitive Bushies outfit, but ultimately outclassed their fellow country competitors with four goals in either half in a strong showing of their depth. Murray went goalless through the first three terms, but eventually got on the board through Olivia Cicolini in the 8.5 (53) to 1.4 (10) loss.

Speaking of goals, Georgia Malkoun was the standout forward with three, while also showcasing some outstanding aerial marking. Charley Ryan and Felicity Crank were other Stingrays to keep busy and hit the scoreboard, while the exploits of stand-in captain Emily Shepherd helped to break the game open during term two.

Murray ruck Ally Morphett was her side’s best and dominated the hitouts, with Keeley Skepper playing an important role on each line at ground level. Cicolini finished as the sole Bushranger to kick a major, but the likes of Madison Gray, Kaylea Kobzan, and Mikayla Jones all contributed strongly, along with tall defender Mindy Quade.

While Dandenong joins the remaining regions in enjoying a season intermission for the Under 19 National Championships, Murray will take on the Geelong Falcons on April 11 in a Round 2 make-up fixture. Meanwhile, Dandenong returns on April 24 for its Round 9 clash with the Northern Knights.

GOALS:

Dandenong: G. Malkoun 3, C. Ryan, H. Monk, E. Watts, F. Crank, C. Blair
Murray: O. Cicolini

DC BEST:

Dandenong: J. Radford, C. Ryan, G. Malkoun, E. Shepherd, F. Crank, C. Blair
Murray: A. Morphett, K. Skepper, M. Jones, M. Gray, K. Kobzan, O. Cicolini

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Jemma Radford (Dandenong Stingrays)
4 – Charley Ryan (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Georgia Malkoun (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 – Ally Morphett (Murray Bushrangers)
1 – Keeley Skepper (Murray Bushrangers)

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GREATER WESTERN VICTORIA REBELS 0.1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 (9)
NORTHERN TERRITORY THUNDER 0.0 | 0.2 | 2.4 | 4.7 (31)

By: Peter Williams

Northern Territory Thunder players have gained extra confidence ahead of the 2021 AFL Women’s Under 19 Championships, knocking off the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels by 22 points at MARS Stadium on Sunday. The Thunder started slowly, trailing by a goal at the main break, but then managed to click into gear in the second half, booting 4.5 to 0.1, including two goals from talented youngster Ashanti Bush.

Bush was impressive up forward, while Freda Puruntatameri stepped up to one of the best out there. Having already had state representation experience, Bella Clarke kicked a goal and was consistent across the match, as J’Noemi Anderson joined her state after playing for the Oakleigh Chargers this season. Grace Mulvahil was another talented player who unsurprisingly stepped up to the level after a famed NTFL Women’s junior career.

Due to Vic Country’s clash next Friday, the Rebels were without a host of talented players, meaning others had to step up in their place. Lilli Condon has been getting it done regardless of who is around her, and she was a clear standout in defeat. Molly Walton continued her great form this year to be another impressive player and was right up there with Condon in outstanding honours, while Jorja Jones, Stephanie Glover and Stella Bridgewater were among some of the other players that stood out.

In Round 9, the GWV Rebels take on Tasmania Devils at Warrawee Park, while the Northern Territory Thunder face Eastern Ranges at Highgate Recreation Reserve.

GOALS:

GWV: S. Bridgewater.
NT Thunder: A. Bush 2, F. Puruntatameri, B. Clarke.

DC BEST:

GWV: L. Condon, M. Walton, S. Glover, J. Jones, S. Bridgewater
NT Thunder: F. Puruntatameri, B. Clarke A. Bush, G. Mulvahil, J. Anderson

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Molly Walton (GWV Rebels)
4 – LIlli Condon (GWV Rebels)
3 – Freda Puruntatameri (NT Thunder)
2 – Bella Clarke (NT Thunder)
1 – Ashanti Bush (NT Thunder)

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BENDIGO PIONEERS 0.2 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 3.11 (29)
GIPPSLAND POWER 2.1 | 3.1 | 4.5 | 4.6 (30)

By: Michael Alvaro

Bendigo Pioneers were made to rue a raft of missed opportunities as they went down by a single point for the second week running, this time against Gippsland Power on Sunday. The 4.6 (30) to 3.11 (29) result from Trevor Barker Oval now sees every NAB League team boast a win in 2021, though the Power were made to earn it in dramatic fashion with the ball locked in Bendigo’s attacking 50 for nearly the entire final five minutes. Having looked off the pace in the face of Gippsland’s pressure, the Pioneers just fell short of a remarkable turnaround.

Draft Central Player of the Week nominee Matilda Van Berkel was an enormous presence in the winning side, impacting through the ruck and leaning on her physicality in an inspired performance. Alexei Guy-Toogood was a constant in defence, while Yasmin Duursma continued her good form in midfield among what was a valiant team effort.

Bendigo had its contributors too, with Jayda Richardson swinging back to provide a cool head and plenty of drive forward, while Octavia Di Donato came to life in the dying stages as the Pioneers’ intensity lifted. Drew Ryan was another to impress, with much of the Bendigo team beginning to believe after half time.

Both sides will look forward to a few week’s rest as the competition undergoes its intermission for the Under 19 National Championships. When Round 9 finally swings around, Bendigo will take on the Western Jets while Gippsland faces the league’s toughest assignment in the Oakleigh Chargers.

GOALS:

Bendigo: M. Elliott, S. Hooker, K. Fullerton
Gippsland: C. Bailey, P. Tracey, J. Sochackyj, I. Makai

DC BEST:

Bendigo: J. Richardson, D. Ryan, O. Di Donato, K. Fullarton, L. den Houting, M. Elliott
Gippsland: Ma. Van Berkel, A. Guy-Toogood, Y. Duursma, M. Gilmour, I. Makai, A. Molesworth

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Matilda Van Berkel (Gippsland Power)
4 – Alexei Guy-Toogood (Gippsland Power)
3 – Yasmin Duursma (Gippsland Power)
2 – Jayda Richardson (Bendigo Pioneers)
1 – Drew Ryan (Bendigo Pioneers)