ROUND 2 of the 2022 NAB League Girls season was headlined by a super Saturday of football, which featured five of the weekend’s six fixtures. Among the results, Geelong Falcons won in a thriller, Dandenong Stingrays completed a comprehensive belting, and Sandringham Dragons upset the reigning premier. We recap the action from each game in this week’s wrap.

By: Peter Williams

A last-minute goal from Elizabeth Dowling – her fifth of the game – helped the Geelong Falcons steal the win in a come-from-behind victory over Murray Bushrangers at Epsom Huntly Reserve. The Falcons lead at quarter time, but the Bushrangers took control after that, up by eight points with three minutes remaining. A free kick to Kiara Woods in the goalsquare, and then some Dowling magic against three Bushrangers opponents saw the Falcons snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, running out 8.9 (57) to 8.5 (53) winners.

Dowling was a clear best on ground to go with her match-winner, booting 5.2 from 24 disposals, five marks and five tackles. Outside of the defender-turned-forward, the Falcons had an even contribution across the board. Charlotte Simpson had 18 disposals, six tackles and booted an important third quarter goal. She and Grace Purcell (20 disposals, four marks, four tackles and three behinds) stepped up in the absence of Ash Van Loon who went down with a knee injury in the first term. Over-age talls Keeley Hardingham and Analea McKee were also amongst the best on the Falcons side, with Johanna Sunderland (22 disposals, eight rebound 50s) stoic in defence.

The Bushrangers had plenty of contributors themselves, with Zarlie Goldsworthy backing up her outstanding debut in Round 1, with another 27-disposal, three-mark, 10-tackle, four-inside 50 and two-goal performance. Zara Hamilton (27 disposals) found plenty of the ball, whilst Cassidy Mailer (19 disposals, seven tackles and four inside 50s) was tough on the inside. Tayissa Gray provided superb run out of defence, whilst Keeley Skepper worked hard to cover the ground, and Mindy Quade booted 4.1 from 10 disposals and five marks.

Both sides head to Highgate Recreation Reserve next Sunday, with the Bushrangers looking for redemption against GWV Rebels from 1pm, whilst the Falcons take on a Gippsland Power side coming off the biggest loss in the competition’s history.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 1.1 | 5.2 | 7.2 | 8.5 (53)
GEELONG FALCONS 2.3 | 3.6 | 6.8 | 8.9 (57)

GOALS:

Geelong: E. Dowling 5, S. Huxtable, C. Simpson, K. Woods
Murray: M. Quade 4, Z. Goldsworthy 2, E. Suckling, C. Mailer

RMC BEST:

Geelong: E. Dowling, J. Sunderland. C. Simpson, G. Purcell, K, Hardingham
Murray: Z. Goldsworthy, C. Mailer, T. Gray, M. Quade, K. Skepper

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Elizabeth Dowling (Geelong Falcons)
4 – Zarlie Goldsworthy (Murray Bushrangers)
3 – Cassidy Mailer (Murray Bushrangers)
2 – Johanna Sunderland (Geelong Falcons)
1 – Tayissa Gray (Murray Bushrangers)

By: Peter Williams

Bendigo Pioneers bounced back from their Round 1 loss to Murray Bushrangers with a comprehensive 50-point belting of GWV Rebels. The first quarter was even with both sides slotting a goal, and Paige Scott‘s major levelling the scores midway through the term. From that point on though, the Pioneers slotted 8.7 to 0.6 to run away with the contest and get up 9.8 (68) to 1.6 (12) in an even team performance. The victory meant all bar two Country teams were on 1-1 for the season thus far, after the Rebels were coming off a big win over Gippsland Power.

Bottom-age talent Lila Keck was impressive throughout the four quarters, slotting two goals from 23 touches, five marks, 10 tackles and four inside 50s, but she was far from alone. Another future talent in Lucia Painter backed up a strong Round 1 game with 21 disposals, five tackles, four inside 50s and a goal, whilst 2005-born Keely Fullerton (18 disposals, seven tackles, five inside 50s and a goal) also hit the scoreboard. Over-age forward Emma Gilligan booted 2.2 from 15 touches and three marks, whilst Octavia Di Donato (19 disposals, three marks, six tackles, three inside 50s and four rebound 50s) improved from the week before with a strong effort across the ground.

The Rebels were beaten across the ground but still had some strong contributors. Captain Lilli Condon lead from the front with 29 disposals, eight tackles, two marks, two inside 50s and nine rebound 50s to be the Rebels’ best. In defence, Jamie-Lee Speakman (17 disposals, six marks, three tackles and five rebound 50s) and Olivia Leonard (11 disposals, six tackles and five rebound 50s) tried hard, whilst Molly Walton (17 disposals), Tahlia Meier (15) and Scott (13 and 1.4) had their moments throughout the match.

Next week both sides head to Highgate Recreation Reserve as part of the Country Triple Header, with Bendigo taking on the red-hot Dandenong Stingrays up first at 11am, before the GWV Rebels clash with Murray Bushrangers in the second game of the day.

BENDIGO PIONEERS 1.1 | 4.5 | 6.7 | 9.8 (62)
GWV REBELS 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.6 (12)

GOALS:

Bendigo: E. Gilligan 2, L. Keck 2, A. Gregor, T. Williams, M. Pianta, L. Painter, K. Fullerton
GWV: P. Scott

RMC BEST:

Bendigo: L. Keck, L. Painter, K. Fullerton, E. Gilligan, O. Di Donato
GWV: L. Condon, J. Speakman, M. Walton, O. Leonard, T. Meier

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Lila Keck (Bendigo Pioneers)
4 – Lucia Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)
3 – Lilli Condon (GWV Rebels)
2 – Keely Fullerton (Bendigo Pioneers)
1 – Jamie-Lee Speakman (GWV Rebels)

By: Declan Reeve

The Dandenong Stingrays have sent a statement to the rest of the competition with a comprehensive 139-point victory over Gippsland Power in Churchill, kicking an astonishing 22.17 (149) to 2.2 (14). Despite the heavy defeat, Gippsland’s approach to the contest and endeavor for the footy never wavered, with their two goals coming in the final term a good representation of that.

There were plenty of stars for Dandenong, with Charley Ryan (26 disposals, five goals) leading the way for the Stingrays, with Amber Clarke (23 disposals, four goals), Emily Shepherd (26 disposals, one goal), Jaide Anthony (26 disposals, one goal), Felicity Crank (25 disposals, one goal) and Mackenzie Eardley (12 disposals, three goals) all putting in influential efforts as well.

Gippsland’s bests, Ella Stoddart (21 disposals, three tackles) and Leesa Guastella (11 disposals, five tackles) made movement inside Dandenong’s inside 50 difficult, with Sunday Brisbane (27 disposals) constantly trying to move the ball forward and Ash Centra (nine disposals) highly impactful around the ground.

Round 3 will see both sides playing as part of a triple-header on Sunday at RAMS Arena, with Dandenong opening the day by taking on Bendigo Pioneers at 11 am, and the Power in the closing shift against Geelong Falcons at 3pm.

GIPPSLAND POWER 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 2.2 (14)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 3.8 | 8.11 | 15.14 | 22.17 (149)

GOALS:

Gippsland: Z. Burn, T. Angwin
Dandenong: C. Ryan 5, A. Clarke 4, M. Eardley 3, C. Siwes 2, E. Shepherd, J. Anthony, M. Robertson, F. Crank, E. Butler

RMC BEST:

Gippsland: E. Stoddart, L. Guestella, A. Centra, S. Brisbane, I. Makai
Dandenong: C. Ryan, A. Clarke, E. Shepherd, M. Eardley, J. Anthony

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Charley Ryan – Dandenong Stingrays
4 – Amber Clarke – Dandenong Stingrays
3 – Emily Shepherd – Dandenong Stingrays
2 – Mackenzie Eardley – Dandenong Stingrays
1 – Ella Stoddart – Gippsland Power

By: Liam Badkin

The Tasmania Devils claimed their first win of the season over the weekend, taking down the Western Jets by 31 points at Prospect Park on Saturday. In the Jets’ first match of the season, the visitors found themselves on the back foot early as Tasmania jumped out to an early lead.

Despite some strong play from the Jets throughout the final three quarters, they could not convert on scoreboard, as the Devils held on to kick off their 2022 campaign in style. The Devils drove the ball forward with purpose, winning the inside 50 count 40 to 22 and proved the better side in and around the contest for much of the day.

There were a number of contributors for Tasmania in the win, but none were more impressive than Claire Ransom, who again impressed with her clean skills and evasiveness around the contest. She finished with 25 disposals and a goal in what was yet another eye-catching performance. Up forward, Georgia Clark was a terrific competitor, setting up numerous goals and even kicking a couple herself from 21 disposals, while bottom-ager Brooke Barwick used her speed and aggressiveness through the midfield with 16 touches and eight tackles.

Despite the tough loss, Charlotte Baskaran was seemingly everywhere, popping up in plenty of stoppages as she looked to give her team first use at the coalface. She was ferocious with a game-high 32 disposals and 10 tackles in a valiant performance. Teammate Paige Ryan provided some run-and-carry throughout the match, while Stephanie Asciak accumulated 18 disposals and four inside 50’s.

The Devils will look to make it two-in-a-row when they host the Oakleigh Chargers in Round 3, while the Jets will be keen to bounce back against the Northern Knights the same day.

TASMANIA DEVILS 4.3 | 6.3 | 8.4 | 10.5 (65)
WESTERN JETS 0.2 | 1.3 | 2.4 | 5.4 (34)

GOALS:

Tasmania: B. Parker 2, T. Kikoak 2, G. Clark, C. Ransom, M. Edwards, G. Le Fevre, J. Griffiths
Western: C. Sargent 4, K. Whiley

RMC BEST:

Tasmania: C. Ransom, G. Clark, B. Barwick, G. Alomes, M. Gaffney
Western: C. Baskaran, P. Ryan, S. Asciak, C. Sargent, K. Russell

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Claire Ransom (Tasmania Devils)
4 – Charlotte Baskaran (Western Jets)
3 – Georgia Clark (Tasmania Devils)
2 – Brooke Barwick (Tasmania Devils)
1 – Georgia Alomes (Tasmania Devils)

By: Michael Alvaro

The Calder Cannons broke their duck for season 2022 on Saturday afternoon, downing the Northern Knights by 10 points in a contested slog at Highgate Recreation Reserve. Calder broke out of the blocks with three goals in the opening term, and broke away again in the third to consolidate their 6.2 (38) to 4.4 (28) victory. A last-gasp consolation goal from Northern’s Isabella Parnell evened up the final margin.

Calder’s co-captains led the way with strong performances through the midfield. Reese Sutton stamped her mark at the contest before limping off with a lower leg injury in the dying stages, while Olivia Manfre booted a couple of goals as she rotated forward. Among an even team performance, Abbey McDonald thrived in a defensive role, while Tahlia Read and Kayley Kavanagh got their hands on the ball plenty.

Despite some opposition attention, Northern standouts Ava Jordan and Rylie Wilcox again stood tall, with wingers Brooke Plummer and Phoebe Nelson made to cover plenty of ground tracking both ways. Down back, Tarrah Delgado was solid as they come and Tannah Hurst played with intent as both were kept relatively busy in what was a tense game.

Northern will hope third time’s a charm when it again turns out in Craigieburn next week, taking on the Western Jets on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Cannons can put their feet up after their first win, completing their bye in Round 3.

CALDER CANNONS 3.0 | 3.0 | 5.2 | 6.2 (38)
NORTHERN KNIGHTS 0.1 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 4.4 (28)

GOALS:

Calder: O. Manfre 2, C. Prpic, K. Kavanagh, K. Mueller, H. Cashmore
Northern: I. Parnell 2, E. Smallacombe 2

RMC BEST:

Calder: R. Sutton, A. McDonald, O. Manfre, T. Read, K. Kavanagh
Northern: T. Delgado, R. Wilcox, A. Jordan, P. Nelson, B. Plummer

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Reese Sutton (Calder Cannons)
4 – Tarrah Delgado (Northern Knights)
3 – Rylie Wilcox (Northern Knights)
2 – Abbey McDonald (Calder Cannons)
1 – Olivia Manfre (Calder Cannons)

By: Declan Reeve

In one of the early shocks of the season, Sandringham Dragons have overcome the reigning premiers Oakleigh Chargers, despite some woes with accuracy in front of goal, by nine points. The Chargers looked like fighting back during the fourth quarter, but the Dragons managed to hold on with their tackling pressure shining through and seeing the final score read 4.15 (45) to 5.6 (36).

Sandringham was aided by many in their win, with AFL Academy members Sofia Hurley and Bridie Hipwell prominent throughout. The efforts of Georgia Foran in defence can’t be overstated as she consistently provided a intercepting threat down there. Keely Coyne won a lot of ball around the ground, and forward pairing Mia Zielinski and Zoe Barbakos were particularly lively as the game drew on.

National Academy member Jasmine Fleming was the standout across the game for the Chargers, impacting in all thirds of the ground with her speed away from the contest. Charlotte Taylor, Charlotte van der Vlies, Lily Hart and Alexandra McCulloch also had their moments for the Chargers, but were unable to string those together consistently.

Round 3 sees the Dragons traveling to Kilysth on Saturday to face the Eastern Ranges fresh off the bye, whilst Oakleigh will be making the trip down to Tasmania on the same day.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 1.5 | 3.9 | 3.13 | 5.15 (45)
OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 2.0 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 5.6 (36)

GOALS:

Sandringham: P. Staltari 2, Z. Barakos 2, M. Zielinski
Oakleigh: C. Taylor, H. Kennealy, F. Vanin, A. Smith, K. Smith

RMC BEST:

Sandringham: S. Hurley, K. Coyne, G. Foran, B. Hipwell,  Z. Barbokas, M. Zielinski
Oakleigh: J. Fleming, C. Taylor, A. McCulloch, E. Woodford, L. Hart, C. van der Vlies

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Jasmine Fleming (Oakleigh Chargers)
4 – Sofia Hurley (Sandringham Dragons)
3 – Keeley Coyne (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Charlotte Taylor (Oakleigh Chargers)
1 – Georgia Foran (Sandringham Dragons)