With finals around the corner, Round 13 of the Northpark NFLW competition included some decisive matches in the penultimate home and away round.
In Division 1, Bendigo kept its undefeated record intact with a 9.5 (59) to 2.1 (13) win over Melbourne University at Queen Elizabeth Oval. The Thunder kicked the opening four goals and carried the momentum for the rest of the match. After accounting for the now fourth-placed Mugars, the Thunder secured a much deserved minor premiership and a rest in the opening week of the finals. Tiahna Cochrana and Kodi Jacques again excelled, while competition leading goal kicker Andrea Walsh continued her dominant season up forward, adding another three goals to bring her tally to 46. Martha Cantwell and Sian Wilson were best in defeat for the Mugars.
Diamond Creek Women’s secured a valuable four points away from home, defeating Darebin 5.6 (36) to 2.4 (16) to move back into third place. In an important match-up, the Falcons opened the scoring with a goal but the Creekers responded with the next three majors to build a decisive 15-point lead by half time to set up the win. Isabella Farchione and Neve O’Connor were great for the Creekers, while Rachel Hibbert and Tamara Olcorn were strong performers for the Falcons. The loss means the Falcons will miss out on playing finals in 2017.
Deer Park and La Trobe University shared two points each after their game was unfortunately stopped in the first quarter for a serious ankle injury. Deer Park’s Laura Parker kicked the game’s before the premature end, with the match determined to be a draw. The Lions now face Pascoe Vale in a return fixture in the last round and will be looking to back up their two-point win over the Panthers in Round 7. La Trobe finishes its season with a trip to Kew.
The VU Western Spurs continued their red-hot form, writing their names on the winners’ list for the fourth consecutive week with a 13.13 (91) to 0.3 (3) victory over Pascoe Vale. The fast-starting Spurs kicked nine goals in the first half to lead by 62 points at the main break. The Spurs 11th win of the season locks them into second position on the ladder, ensuring they will have a double chance in the finals. Olivia Storer and Jessie Davies were the best performing Spurs, while Rebecca Foggie and Jane Greenshields were solid contributors for the Panthers.
Kew booked its place in finals with a 5.9 (39) to 4.4 (28) win over Whitehorse. Despite the Bears taking a three-goal lead into the final break, the Colts fought back gallantly to outscore their opponents in the final and close the gap to just 11 points. Rachael O’Regan and Libby Whiting were important in the Bears’ win, while Katie Shanahan and Rosie Dillon (two goals) stood out for the Colts. The Bears will return home to meet La Trobe University in the final round of the regular season, while the Colts will travel to Plenty Park Oval to face Diamond Creek.
In Division 2, Darebin maintained third position with a 7.7 (49) to 1.1 (7) win over Diamond Creek Women’s. With 14 scoring opportunities, the Falcons made the most of their time in the forward half, while also restricting the Creekers to just two scoring shots. Hannah Hayman, Kristin Stensholt and Lisa Halfpenny were the best performing Falcons. Darebin will now look toward a huge clash against fellow finals contender South Morang in Round 14, where a win could ensure the Falcons get a double-chance in the finals.
West Preston-Lakeside secured back-to-back wins, defeating La Trobe University 14.12 (96) to 0.1 (1). The strong four-quarter effort ensured the Roosters will finish in second place at the end of the home and away season, with a game and percentage buffer on third-placed Darebin. Catherine Pasceri was named best afield with four goals, while Monique Dematteo again excelled. Georgia Burchell Mckenzie and Rachel Hickey battled hard for La Trobe.
Montmorency secured a seventh-consecutive win, with a thrilling 5.4 (34) to 5.2 (32) triumph over South Morang. Looking to win to secure their finals place, the Lions kicked the opening two goals and looked ominous before the Magpies hit back with five goals in a row to manufacture a 20-point lead early in the third quarter. Back-to-back goals for the Lions via Rechelle Mcswain and Kasy Batten put the heat back on the Magpies, before the Lions third goal on the trot brought them within two points. However, the final siren rang out soon after, giving the Magpies their 9th win of the season and keeping their hopes of a double-chance in the finals alive. Rhiarn Daley produced a third-consecutive best on ground performance for the Magpies, with strong support from Ashleigh Bayes. Melanie Ratcliffe and Rechelle Mcswain played pivotal roles in keeping the Lions in the match, with their side still in fifth place – two points ahead of Kew.
VU Western Spurs secured the minor premiership with an 8.9 (57) to 0.0 (0) win over Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve. After kicking a wayward 0.6 in the opening term, the Spurs steadied with a four-goal second term. They added a further two goals in each of the second and third quarters to notch their 12th win of the campaign.
