By David Nagel
Pakenham’s quest for back-to-back premierships in the Outer East Division 1 women’s competition struck a significant setback on Saturday with the Lions mauled by Mt Evelyn at Toomuc Reserve.
The young Lions were no match for the Rovers, who return to Outer East football after a stint in the Eastern Premier Division; the visitors winning 16.16(112) to 0.1(1) on a beautiful morning for football.
Pakenham did have one highlight on the day, with both teams lining up prior to the game to watch on as the Lions unfurled their 2024 premiership flag.
But it became quite clear early in the contest that this one was a total mismatch.
The Rovers looked slick by hand and foot; and showed all the signs of a cohesive outfit that has played plenty of football together.
The Lions, on the other hand, only have a handful of players remaining from last year’s premiership team; and looked unorganised and with plenty of room for improvement.
Mt Evelyn had 10 scoring shots in the opening term, with midfielders Caitlin Hoskin, Abbey Rabot, Savannah Bowden and Olivia Jenkins running riot through the centre of the ground.
The Rovers had a spare behind each stoppage, and used the out-number to full affect in the opening exchanges.
The visitors led by 30 points at quarter time and extended that to 57 points at the major interval.
Pakenham had its one and only shot at goal for the match in the third quarter, but the shot from point-blank range missed its target.
Pakenham played its best football in the third quarter, but two late goals to Mt Evelyn saw the margin blow out to 89 points at three-quarter time.
The Rovers wasted opportunities in the final term, kicking 3.5 for the quarter, but still ran out 111-point winners.
Mackenzie Adams kicked three goals for the winners, while Summer Edyvane, Georgia Macpherson, Sherice Oliver, Georgia Ploegsma and Jess Smith slotted two each in an impressive first-up performance.
Ellana Stanbury showed promising signs for the Lions while Hayley Gage and new co-coach Courtney Stephens fought the game out for the losers.
The team Pakenham defeated by two points in round one, Woori Yallock, also copped a heavy defeat at the hands of Olinda Ferny Creek.
The Bloods dashed clear of the Tigers with a 6.2 to no score opening term on their way to a 17.12(114) to 4.1(25) victory.
Eloise Tyler was the star of the show for the Bloods, scoring five goals in a best-on-ground performance, while three goals to Olivia Edwards and two each to Charlotte Edwards, Michelle Fedele and Amalija Kostich proved too much for the Tigers to handle.
Lily Carlin, Madeline Collins and Chelsea Wilson were also impressive for the Bloods, while Jess Lee and Rachael Lee slotted two each for the Tigers, who played their best footy in the final quarter.
Last year’s runner up Healesville is on the board in 2025 after the Bloods rode a fast start to a 7.5(47) to 2.5(17) win over Belgrave.
Healesville opened the game at Don Road with a bang, kicking 3.2 to no score in the opening quarter to take control of the contest.
Amelia English and damaging midfielder Paisley Stock did most of the damage for the Bloods, kicking two each, while Alannah Dahlsen and Sarah Frazzetto were among the better players on the ground.
Harper Morton and Jess Walker kicked a snag each for the Magpies, who fought the game out well; being outscored by just 10 points after quarter time.
In Division 2, Officer’s slow start to the season has continued with the Kangaroos losing 13.13(91) to 1.3(9) against Wandin.
Shelby Crothers kicked the Kangaroos’ one and only goal for the season in the opening stanza, but the Bulldogs were far too strong.
Kiara-Sahye Ryan-Bader and Lauren Sullivan jagged three six pointers for the Doggies, while Aimee Atkins and Tyana Ryan-Bader kicked two each for the winners.
Breanna Granger, Madeline Caarels and Stacey Jolly were best for the Kangaroos.
In other games, Scarlett Henderson kicked four and Jasmine Enever three in Warburton-Wesburn’s 11.9(75) to 1.1(7) success over Thornton-Eildon, while Emerald won a high-scoring contest – 10.8(68) to 7.8(50) – against Yea at Chandler Reserve.
Caitlin Ellis, Laura Gillard, Saige Van Haren and Molly Webb kicked two each for the Bombers, while Jess Kennedy dominated scoring for the Tigers with a classy three-goal performance.
Outer East will take a break over the Easter weekend before reconvening over the Anzac Day weekend.
Division 1 Ladder: Mt Evelyn, Olinda Ferny Creek, Upwey Tecoma, Healesville, Pakenham, Belgrave, Woori Yallock.
Division 2 Ladder: Warburton-Wesburn, Wandin, Emerald, Thornton-Eildon, Seville, Yea, Officer.
In Eastern Division 2, Berwick has suffered a heavy first-round loss – 13.18(96) to 2.1(13) – at the hands of Blackburn.
Brooke Watson and Hayley Wolfe kicked a goal each for the Wickers, while Jayde Smith, Mia Krzywniak and Brooke Ellis fought the game out until the bitter end.
Beaconsfield had the round-one bye and will kick off its season with a home game against Waverley Blues on Saturday 26 April.
In Southern Division 1, Endeavour Hills 8.8(56) scored a commanding victory over Casey Thunder 1.4(10), while Berwick Springs pushed Black Rock to the brink at Mick Morland Reserve.
The Titans led by a point at the final break but failed to score in the final term in their 5.7(37) to 4.6(30) defeat.
Zoe Allen kicked two, and Clare Allison and Danielle Shedden one each for the Titans, who now sit with a 1-1 record in their first year in Southern.
