By David Nagel
The top three teams in Outer East Women’s Division 1 used round five of the competition to rubber stamp their finals credentials on the weekend.
Mt Evelyn, Upwey Tecoma and Olinda Ferny Creek all had convincing wins on Saturday, with the chilly evenings starting to kick in with all three games under lights.
Let’s start with Olinda Ferny Creek, who secured an 8.7(55) to 2.1(13) victory over Pakenham to send the reigning premiers crashing to their third-consecutive defeat.
The Lions began well with the opening goal of the contest, before the Bloods kicked into top gear.
The home side kicked four unanswered goals, with star forwards Olivia Edwards and Amalija Kostich kicking two each to take the game away from the Lions.
The Bloods outscored Pakenham in all four quarters of the contest, with Kostich ending the game with three goals and Lily Carlin, Madeleine Collins, Bianca Richardson and Kyah Barry having huge influence around the ground.
Kasey Exposito and Emily Johnston kicked a snag each for the Lions, who had Ella Jackson, Annalise Ryan and Beth Quadara join Exposito and Johnston on their best players list.
Upwey Tecoma has continued its great start to the season with an 8.6(54) to 1.0(6) success over newly-promoted Woori Yallock.
The winning Tigers spread the load beautifully with Corinna White the only multiple goal-kicker, with Alex Bantock, Emma Caccetta, Keira McCarrick, Grace Mills, Kiana Oates and Georgia O’Halloran also hitting the scoreboard.
Oates, Niamh Hunter-Clear, Maddison Dodd and Ash O’Halloran were all named among the best.
For the losing Tigers, Woori Yallock, Jess Lee kicked the only six-pointer for the match while Anelise McCracken, Sky Wilson and Isla Schroder also stuck to their guns against one of the better sides in the competition.
And Mt Evelyn has continued its impressive march with a commanding 14.15(99) to 1.1(7) victory over Belgrave.
The Rovers had a super-impressive first half, kicking 4.4 to 0.0 in the opening term before cranking things up even further.
They slammed home 6.4 to 0.0 in the second term to take a 68-point lead to the main break.
Rhani Wootton kicked three for the dominant winners, while Mackenzie Adams, Isabella Rennick, Jessica Smith and Ryleigh Tesoriero chimed in with a couple each.
Harper Morton kicked the only goal for the Magpies, who had a much better second half.
Amber Drummond, Sophia Thomas-Tatti and Sarah Lowe showed great fight to limit the damage after half time.
Healesville had the bye.
In Division 2, Warburton Wesburn remain the team to beat after a 71-point victory over Officer.
The home side kicked four goals in the opening term to set the trend for the match.
Madi Ward kicked three and Scarlett Henderson two, with the dynamic duo leading their team to a 9.18(72) to 0.1(1) success.
Stacey Jolly, Ebony Code, Bella Rob, Shelby Crothers, Madeline Caarels and Stephanie Pauw were best for the Kangaroos.
In other games Emerald remains in second place on the ladder after an 8.13(61) to 1.0(6) victory over Yea.
Caitlin Ellis slotted three, and Saige Van Haren two, while Laura Gillard, Freya Taffe, Paige Nguyen and Melissa Thomas were important contributors for the Bombers.
Ebony Sundblom kicked the only goal for Yea, who had Madison Albers, Emeli Brunt and Jordyn Beattie among their better players.
And Thornton-Eildon won the ‘close one’ of the round with a 5.4(34) to 2.6(18) defeat of Seville.
Lucy McRae led her team to victory with two goals, while Isabella Weston, Rose Kealy and Jamee Cousens were consistent over four quarters.
Jess Beraud and Emily Oliver rammed home the only two goals for Seville.
Fourth-placed Wandin had the bye.
In Eastern Division 2, both Beaconsfield and Berwick experienced heavy losses.
Georgia Malkoun was the star for Beaconsfield, booting all three goals in a 9.14(68) to 3,4(22) defeat at the hands of Montrose.
Bianca Mirigliani, Zoe Davies, Darcy Gibbs, Georgia Dunstan and Lauren Hojnacki joined Malkoun on the list of best players.
And Berwick kicked a last-quarter goal to make its 10.10(70) to 1.4(10) loss to Waverley Blues taste a hell of a lot sweeter.
Jordyn Jenkins provided the final term highlight for the Wickers, who had Shanae Allen, Kylah Thompson, Jayde Smith, Brooke Watson and Isabella Tabone fight the game out well.
In Southern Division 1, Lyndale had a 26-point win over Clayton, while Brooke Borchard and Alyssa Weston kicked three goals each in a 53-point win for Endeavour Hills over Narre South Saints.
And Murrumbeena remains in second place after a hard-fought 19-point triumph over Casey Thunder.
Kate Kerrigan kicked three for the winners, while Bianca Moody, Sarah Ventura and three-goal hero Lana Fullwood were best on ground for the Thunder.
