By David Nagel
Pakenham is off to a flying start in the Outer East Football Netball (OEFN) league after a powerful 55-point win over Yarra Junction in the senior women’s competition on Saturday.
The Lions, who had to hit the bitumen early for the 10.20am start, were on fire from the outset with new-coach Rick Stalker watching on as his side kicked 4.4 to 1.1 in the opening term.
Donna Monckton was the star for the Lions, kicking three first-quarter goals, while the Lions’ engine room of Bianca Moody, Nat Holmes, Melina Eppel, Chloe Nagel and Courtney Stephens was finely tuned from the first bounce.
The Eagles lifted their game in the second quarter, with Jamee Cousens, Jess Laidlaw, Sarah Wilcox, Georgia Page and Emily Spicer recovering well from the Lions early onslaught.
Both teams kicked two goals each in the second term, with the Lions taking a four-goal lead to the major break.
The Lions continued to pepper the goals after half-time, but were inaccurate in front of the big sticks, kicking 3.9 to 1.0 in the second half.
Abbey Tognazzini, Katie Sanders, Kate Flynn, Chelsea English and Bec Domotor and Emma Caulfield all chimed in for the Lions, as did Samantha Bandi and Danielle Case in an impressive team display.
Stalker was impressed with his team’s performance.
“The girls have been working hard at training and it was great to see some of the things we’ve been working on come to the fore against an opposition team,” Stalker said.
“We’ve been training for a long time, so for the girls to finally get out on the park is something we all enjoyed, and we look forward to doing it more.”
Monckton was dangerous up forward for the Lions, ending the day with four goals, while Moody with three, and Eppel with two, were also major contributors on the scoreboard.
Despite the victory the Lions are still on the hunt for new players, with the club keen for new players to jump on board ahead of their next match on the Anzac day weekend.
In other games, Olinda Ferny Creek 8.13 (61) defeated Thornton Eildon by 61 points, and Belgrave kicked the sweep in a 14.11(95) to no score thumping of Seville.
Christina Missos booted four goals for the Magpies, while three goals to Serenity Connolly, and two each to Nicole Baboucek and Danielle Weisgerber were other highlights of the day.
Jess walker, Ishleen Lamba and Amy Anderson joined the Magpies’ goal-kickers on their best players list.
Madeline Stokes, Alysha Henskens, Lucie Aperloo and Vanessa Jackson never stopped trying for Seville.
Round 1 Scores:
Pakenham 9.16 (70) def Yarra Junction 4.1 (25), Olinda Ferny Creek 8.13 (61) def Thornton Eildon 0.0(0), Belgrave 14.11 (95) def Seville 0.0(0). Upwey-Tecoma def Yarra Glen (forfeit), Healesville def Monbulk (forfeit), Officer (Bye).
