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 Under 18 Girls Competition.
Mount Evelyn continued its winning streak and its undefeated run with a strong 111-point win over Yarra Junction in the battle of the Yarra Valley teams. As per my preview last week, Katelyn Betts, Melanie Hogg and Catherine Garlick are again showing the way with 10 goals together. Heather L’Huillier and Holly Brennan performed an amazing support role for the winners as they led from start to finish with limiting their opponents’ scoring to just one point by the end of the game.
What a shocker from Chirnside Park at home at Kimberley Reserve as the Knox Falcons flew into the Panthers’ home ground and came away with a strong 68-point win to keep their finals hopes alive. A McCormack, L Walshe and S Ashmore scored a combined total of eight goals and also named in the best players on the field for the winners. Sophie Ruddick and G Bradshaw led the way for the home team but the Panthers will need to go back to the drawing board this week as they need to stay alive for a top-two spot.
Samantha Allen produced a best-on-ground performance as she kicked four crucial goals for the Waverley Blues in one of the closest matches of the weekend. The Blues had to come from behind and finished strongly with a 15-point win over Norwood. Norwood came out on top in the first quarter as it tried to prove a point against the Blues on their home ground with a 13-point lead at the first change. The close contest continued in the next three quarters with Jessica Mckenna, Bridget Murphy and Grace De Cesare assisting the home team to fight their way back into the contest.
Zoe Alston ruled the forward line for Bayswater as she kicked four goals to guide her team to a six-goal win over Heathmont at Bayswater Oval. Chelsea Mammone helped Alston with two goals of her own as Bayswater led from start to finish but they pulled away from the Jets in the second half with a four goals to two to stay in the hunt for a top two finish. Jayne Blakemore scored two goals for the Jets as she tried to keep her team in the contest but the midfield and back-line for the ‘Waters proved to be the difference.
Previewing this weekend’s games, Yarra Junction will be facing off against a determined Chirnside Park team who will backing up from a huge upset loss to Knox last weekend while the Eagles will be hoping to cause another upset for the visitors as they will be wanting to get themselves off the bottom of the table. Sophie Ruddick, Corrinne Jackson, Jenna Freeman and Shanae De Cler will lead the way for the Panthers while Jamee Cousens, Jessica Laidlaw and Louise Sandqvist will be pushing the Eagles attack in the battle of the Maroondah/Warburton Highway.
PREDICTION: Chirnside Park by five goals.
Knox will be happy to return home to Schultz Reserve as it hosts the bottom-of-the-table Upper Ferntree Gully this weekend. The Falcons are coming off a strong win over Chirnside Park which kept their hopes for a finals berth alive while Upper Ferntree Gully had a well-earned break last weekend and will be ready to go after two weekends off. This could be a danger game for the home team as Upper Gully will be well-rested and had some great form coming into the break. With Julia Baker and Kaitlyn Zeeck leading the way for the Falcons, it will be very tough to see the Upper Gully causing an upset in this game.
PREDICTION: Knox by five goals.
Mount Evelyn and Heathmont will be playing each other for two different reasons as the ladder leaders look to continue its undefeated run while Heathmont will be hoping to bring last week’s first-half performance against the ‘Waters for all four quarters. The big three of Katelyn Betts, Melanie Hogg and Catherine Garlick will be carrying the load for the home team and will be powering away for a comfortable win while Jayne Blakemore, Jessica Saunders and Samantha Evans will be continuing their good form for the Jets.
PREDICTION: Mount Evelyn by three goals.
This could be a danger game for Bayswater as they head to Mullum Mullum Reserve to play a determined Norwood outfit for second place. Zoe Alston will be a major factor again this weekend for the ‘Waters while Holly Fenton will do the same for Norwood. Who will have the energy and determination to see their team over the line in one of the most exciting games of the weekend?
PREDICTION: Bayswater by one goal.
The views expressed in this article are purely subjective and remain those of the author.
