By David Nagel
The Pakenham Women’s team has put up a brave fight against undefeated ladder-leaders Olinda Ferny Creek – going down 9.6.60 to 4.6.30 at Olinda on Saturday night.
The Lions were without their best-on-ground from last week, Abbey Tognazzini, and suffered a further blow early in the first term when the valuable Sammy Bandi went down with what looked to be a serious knee injury.
The home team, the Bloods, looked on fire early, kicking two goals in two minutes courtesy of full-forward Phoebe Dixon.
Lions coach Rick Stalker quickly moved Melina Eppel into the backline, and the move paid dividends with Eppel repelling the home-sides’ attacks.
Vanessa Bateman kicked another for Olinda at the 11-minute mark, before Bec Domotor got the Lions on the board with a goal just before quarter time.
The second quarter was the most competitive quarter of the match.
After a 10-minute arm-wrestle, the Bloods kicked out to a four-goal lead after Dixon and Bateman struck again.
The Lions looked in trouble but dominated the last three minutes of the term.
Rover Bianca Moody got the ball rolling with a great goal on the run, before Donna Monckton showed terrific speed to break away from a pack to make it two in two minutes.
Eppel, moved into a midfield role, then kept the ball moving from the next centre bounce, kicking and tapping it along the ground before picking it up and kicking a goal-of-the-year contender from 30 metres out.
The Lions had kicked three in three minutes and cut the margin to just eight points at half time.
Olinda Ferny Creek then settled, kicking four goals to none after the break to run out 30-point winners.
Eppel and Courtney Stephens were superb through the midfield for the Lions, while skipper Chloe Nagel tackled fiercely and broke the game open at times with her leg-speed.
Moody and Monckton were also terrific for the Lions, while Tash Wakenshaw showed great discipline to play a key role on the wing.
Tayla Sbisa and Courtney Karayannis continued to shine in their first seasons of football, while Jenna Green did some great things on debut.
Dixon finished with four for the Bloods, with Bateman and Eleanor Andre kicking two each, while Hawthorn VFL listed Chelsea Wilson made the most of her huge height advantage in the ruck.
In other games, Upwey Tecoma bounced back from last week’s loss to Olinda with an 84-point win over Yarra Junction.
Cale McNess and Kiana Oates were rock-solid for the Tigers, while Jess Laidlaw never gave up for the Eagles.
Perry Byron kicked five goals, and Danielle Carrucan three, as Healesville scored a 141-point win over Thornton Eildon, while Maddi Dodd kicked three, and Shaye Mclean was outstanding, in Monbulk’s 27-point victory over Seville.
In the final game, Yarra Glen forfeited its game against Belgrave.
In Eastern Division One, Beaconsfield has smashed its way to its first win of the season after a 10.14.74 to 0.1.1 victory over Blackburn at Holm Park Reserve.
The Eagles are showing early signs of being very competitive this year with coach Troy Robinson having his team playing an attractive brand of football.
Georgia Malkoun was the dominant forward on the ground, booting five goals for the Eagles, while Sarah McCallum chimed in with three.
The Eagles had many winners on the day, but none better than Bianca Mirigliani, Maddi Lawrence, Lauren Hojnacki and Taryn Johnson.
The Eagles, now second on the ladder, head to Rowville on Saturday to take on the ladder-leading Hawks.
RESULTS ROUND 4
Tarra Junction 1.0.6 v Upwey Tecoma 13.12.90, Thornton-Eildon 0.2.2 v Healesville 20.21.141, Seville 1.2.8 v Monbulk 4.11.35, Olinda Ferny Creek 9.6.60 v Pakenham 4.6.30, Belgrave def Yarra Glen via forfeit.
LADDER
Healesville, Olinda Ferny Creek 16, Upwey Tecoma, Belgrave 12, Monbulk, Pakenham 8, Yarra Junction, Seville 4, Thornton Eildon, Yarra Glen 0.
FIXTURE ROUND 5
Yarra Glen v Olinda Ferny Creek, Yarra Junction v Healesville, Seville v Pakenham, Upwey Tecoma v Thornton Eildon. Byes: Belgrave, Monbulk.
