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.
THE WEEK THAT WAS…
At Pinewood Reserve, Waverley Blues started a great afternoon for the club as they recorded a three goal win over Yarra Junction as they led from start to finish with a consistent four quarter performance across the board. Bridget Murphy and Charlotte Krelle took control of the game for the Blues with the scoring coming from Clara Zwack with two goals.
At Knox Gardens Reserve, Bayswater made sure that the performance from a week ago continued with a strong 26-point win over Knox with Leesa McShane booting three. Zoe Alston also kicked three and Brenda Lay finished with two majors for the Waters. Bayswater move into third spot on the ladder while Knox dropped to fifth on the ladder.
Mount Evelyn gave no chances to Norwood in creating an upset as the home team powered its way to a 29-point win even though they had more than triple the amount of shots with twenty to Norwood’s six. Rebecca Theakstone was Mt Evelyn’s best player on the ground as she kicked two goals for the winners.
In the upset of the season so far, Upper Ferntree Gully lead from start to finish to up-end Heathmont at home at Kings Park in a low-scoring affair. Courtney Kerr kicked two goals in a best on ground performance. Melinda Cottrell and Britney Owen also had an influence and finished among the best. It was Upper Gully’s first win of the season which would give the locals a lot to cheer and celebrate about at the throne at Kings Park.
PREVIEW
Make sure you head up the Warburton Highway and into the beautiful Yarra Valley as two sides try to keep their season alive as Yarra Junction Eagles take on Knox Falcons. After both teams lost to third place Bayswater and fourth place Waverley Blues, their respective situations make it difficult to to stay in touch with the top four. Julia Baker and Taylah Sutherland will making sure that Knox keeps the scoreboard ticking over while Yarra Junction’s Jamee Cousens and Jessica Laidlaw will be giving the home side a chance down the stretch.
Prediction: Yarra Junction by less than one goal
A little further down Maroondah Highway will be the clash between top side Chirnside Park and the seventh-placed Heathmont. The experienced Lady Panthers will be ready to go after a week’s break while the Jets will be hoping to come back after a shock loss to Upper Gully on the weekend. Shanae De Cler and Whitney Boyle will be the key for Heathmont to stop in Chirnside Park’s forward 50. Heathmont’s Jayne Blakemore will be a danger for the home team’s defence.
Prediction: Chirnside Park by 30 points.
Twilight football will see the match of the round as Mount Evelyn hosts the Waverley Blues in a preview of the finals early in the season. Both teams have plenty to play for as Mount Evelyn tries to stay in touch with its cross-town rivals in Chirnside Park while Waverley Blues will be hoping to go level with this week’s opponents after this round’s matches. Catherine Garlick will be the player to watch out for as she proves to be a handful for opponents. Bridget Murphy and Jessica McKenna will be making sure that Waverley Blues stay in touch with the home side.
Prediction: Mount Evelyn by 12 points.
On Sunday afternoon, make sure you head down to Mullum Mullum Reserve to catch Norwood and Upper Ferntree Gully fight it out to reignite their respective seasons with plenty at stake this weekend. The winner will possibly find themselves in sixth on the ladder while the loser will find themselves sitting at the bottom of the table. Samantha De Bono Temopoulos and Britney Owen will be holding the Upper Gully attack as they try and make it two in a row while Holly Fenton will be taking control for the Norwood team.
Prediction: Upper Ferntree Gully by six points.
Views and opinions expressed in the article remain those of the author.
