EFL Media’s Will Taylor dissected all the previous week’s action as well as all the upcoming action this weekend in the Deakin University Eastern Region Women’s Competition…
After a slow start with only six points scored in the first quarter by both teams, Chirnside Park flicked the turbo button and fired 10 goals to none for the rest of the game to speed away to a 68-point win over Yarra Junction. Whitney Boyle kicked four goals and Danielle Millott two in a best on ground performance. Bianca Dixon, Ella Hopkinson, Corrinne Jackson and Jessica McCasker played their roles in the winning performance for the Panthers.
Knox continued its great form as they devastated Upper Ferntree Gully by 85 points at Wantirna’s Schultz Reserve. Stefanie Ashmore, Taylah Sutherland and Natalie Laurie all played their part as the Falcons continue to catch the top four teams. Upper Gully was no match for the Falcons with the powerful midfield and back line doing the damage.
Heathmont was no match for the undefeated Mount Evelyn who was yet again led by Katelyn Betts and Melanie Hogg who booted six goals combined to give the home team an 81-point win. Alycia Olney, Georgia Deacon and Angela Byrnes all played a damaging role while Rebecca Sevior, Emma Gosbell and Jessica Saunders made victory a tough ask for the Jets. Mount Evelyn team is definitely showing that it will be the team to beat in 2017, just like its under-18s’ season last year.
Leesa McShane’s five goals were critical for Bayswater as it escaped Mullum Mullum Reserve with an important win over an improved Norwood who went into the game with some injury worries to its team. While Norwood was gallant at home, the experience of the Waters got the visitors over the line to retain second spot on the ladder. Holly Fenton played her usual best with another two goals for the home team.
It’s the battle of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges teams as Yarra Junction takes on Upper Ferntree Gully in a must-win game for both teams as they try and avoid finishing in last place at the end of the season. Upper Gully and Yarra Junction have a very similar percentage and very similar for and against scores. Samantha De Bono Temopoulos (Upper Gully) and Jessica Laidlaw (Yarra Junction) will be the players to watch out for in this contest.
PREDICTION: Upper Ferntree Gully by six points.
The top of the table clash and the match of the round sees Chirnside Park take on Mount Evelyn at Kimberley Reserve.These two teams will be rekindling a great rivalry as the clubs have met in a number of crunch-games before, including the under-18 grand final last season. Corrinne Jackson and Sophie Ruddick will guide the Chirnside Park attack while Katelyn Betts and Melanie Hogg will be doing the same for Mount Evelyn who will be looking to keep its unbeaten run alive.
PREDICTION: Chirnside Park by six points.
Mount Waverley Reserve will be the venue for the big game between the Waverley Blues and Heathmont. Jessica Saunders, Emma Gosbell and Jayne Blakemore will provide the Jets with much-needed firepower around the ground while Bridget Murphy, Olivia Baxter and Jessica Mckenna will be the key players for the Blues. The home side will be looking to stay clear of Knox, sitting on the same amount of wins and losses in four spot.
PREDICTION: Waverley Blues by 18 points.
The second finals race will feature Bayswater and Knox on the wide expanses of Bayswater Oval. Kaitlyn Zeeck and her Knox team mates will be hoping to cause one of the biggest upsets this season as the Falcons try to stay in touch with the top four. Leesa McShane, Zoe Alston, Brenda Lay and Marissa Lee will be driving the Bayswater express in a match expected to go down to the wire, but the points to be claimed by the Waters.
PREDICTION: Bayswater by 12 points.
Views expressed in this article are purely subjective and remain those of the author.