STRATHMORE v PASCOE VALE
Friday 7:30pm at Boeing Reserve
STRATHMORE were outclassed by Keilor in Round 9, going down by 74 points but have an opportunity to get back on the winners list here.
The Mores recorded a 71-point over the Panthers back in Round 4, in the first of their two wins for the season.
With a largely youthful group, the Mores will be hoping to use this match as a platform into the remaining rounds to increase confidence as they continue to build experience and understanding of game play.
Laura Cocomello came in for her first game after having featured strongly for the Calder Cannons during the NAB League season and was impressive.
Robyn Randell and Bianca Michienzi were also important for the Mores across the ground.
In a game where both clubs had minimal numbers take to the field, Pascoe Vale were unable to stop the firepower of Burnside Heights.
Shannon Gore was able to register the sole goal for the Panthers in the third quarter.
Usual suspects, Rita Iocco and Amira Mekawy did their best to keep the Panthers in the hunt.
The form line shows that Strathmore should run away with this game, but Pascoe Vale will be seeking to break their winless streak before facing Keilor in Round 11.
KEILOR v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Friday 7:30pm at Keilor Reserve
Both teams enter this match on the back of two wins in a row.
Whilst Keilor kicked reasonably straight (12.3) in Round 9, the Bears were equally inaccurate (8.21) with both teams keeping their opponent to a solitary score each.
Lauren Kirby was busy in Keilor’s last win against Strathmore, booting three goals, with Elizabeth Hosking and Kallyn Gent dominant midfield forces.
Kayla Ravanello continued her standout season, hitting the scoreboard with five goals, increasing her position on top of the goal kicking tally to six.
Laura Parker, Ebony Stevens and Tori Russell complemented Ravanello with a goal each.
Last time the Blues and Bears faced off, Keilor recorded a straightforward win, but with both teams sitting on equal points, Burnside Heights will want to turn the table and gain a percentage-boosting win to secure second position.
Both teams have the capacity to kick a large score, but the defensive setups of each team may be the telling factor.
WESTMEADOWS v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Friday 7:30pm at Willowbrook Reserve
Westmeadows will be seeking their fourth win in a row when they host the Sunbury Kangaroos, as they currently sit behind the Kangaroos by minimal percentage.
The Tigers recorded a 35-point win over the Sunbury Lions thanks to a two-goal performance by Shannon O’Toole and support from Grace Gerada, Nicole Chiera, Emily Brebner and Liana Keenan.
They were able to overcome a contested first quarter to extend their advantage at each change.
The Sunbury Kangaroos amassed 54 scoring opportunities in their 144-point win over Craigieburn.
Kate Edney (five goals), Regina Said (four), Bronte Koutras (three) and Jessica Dominko (two) did the damage.
Bailee Said was back at her medal winning best with Bronte Koutras also proficient.
Both teams will want to firm up their finals position and claim advantage heading deeper into the season.
ABERFELDIE 1 v SUNBURY LIONS
Saturday 11:50am at Clifton Park
Aberfeldie claimed advantage over Hillside in Round 9 with a resounding 95-point win at Aberfeldie Park West.
Burnside Heights and Sunbury Lions are the only two teams Aberfeldie have not yet beaten during their so far unstoppable season, with games still to come.
With nine individual goal kickers and even contributions across the ground, Aberfeldie were never headed last week, adding eight goals in the first half and finishing with six in the second, whilst limiting the Sharks to two points for the match.
Jess Atta took her goal kicking tally to 12 for the season with a two-goal performance whilst Siobhan Carlton continued her strong recent form as well.
The Sunbury Lions started the game well against Westmeadows but could not sustain their performance, fading to a 35-point loss.
Taylah Brady got on the board early for the Lions, but only three points could be added after half time.
Renee McMahon and Zoe Hardiman were recognised for their efforts.
The Lions will not want to allow Aberfeldie to get off to a flyer and will be focused on limiting the run of their opposition midfielders.
CRAIGIEBURN v HILLSIDE
Saturday 12:50pm at DS Aitken Reserve
Hillside were soundly beaten by ladder leaders Aberfeldie in Round 9, whilst Craigieburn’s woes continued, unable to lodge a score against a firing Sunbury Kangaroos outfit.
Despite a competitive performance against Keilor in the previous round, the Sharks did not have an answer for an attacking Aberfeldie side.
However, Sharks’ leaders Rachael Burton, Rachael Jackson and Demi Houston continued to stand up for their team and will come into the game against Craigieburn intent on following up their performance from Round 4, where they inflicted a 95-point win over the Eagles.
Craigieburn have now lost seven of their last eight games in a challenging season and were down seven players on their opposition Sunbury Kangaroos last Friday night at Eric Boardman Reserve.
Brittnay Soutter and Naomi Heatcote are important players for the Eagles, but a team effort will be required to challenge the determined Sharks, who still have finals hopes on the line.
GREENVALE v ABERFELDIE 2
Friday 7:00pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
A three-goal best-on-ground performance by Bianca Torrijos was instrumental in setting up a 75-point win for Greenvale over Coburg Districts.
Talisa Bartolo was also creative up forward with two goals in a strong showing.
The Jets bounced out of the blocks fast, setting up the win with a five-goal-to-one first half and were able to limit Coburg Districts from scoring in the second.
Aberfeldie 2 fell to Moonee Valley in Round 9, keeping in touch with the top side in the first half before the Fog extended their lead and were able to accurately close the game, kicking three goals in the last.
Abers were without Celeste Defina and Ruby Cashmore, two of their most consistent performers in the Division 1 team.
Both were required in Premier Division.
Briana Marino, up from the Under 18s team, kicked truly to get Aberfeldie 2 on the board in the first quarter, but it proved to be their only goal for the game.
Aberfeldie 2 should have the support of their Premier Division teammates, who play on Saturday morning, as they remain in finals contention, sitting on equal points with Roxburgh Park (fourth) and Maribyrnong Park (fifth).
But Greenvale found the winning formula against Coburg Districts and will be eager to repeat their winning ways.
TULLAMARINE v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Friday 7:00pm at Leo Dineen Reserve
A five-goal performance by Courtney Annett led Tullamarine to a runaway win against Avondale Heights in front of their home crowd last week.
Michelle Boase also chipped in with two goals as the margin was stretched to 56 points.
A five-goal second quarter was telling with Taylah Hardman, Bianca Devine and Tricia Devine getting first hands on the ball.
Essendon Doutta Stars led from start to finish against Keilor Park in a performance that reinforced their finals credentials.
Kate Bacak’s three goals were influential, with Shelby Meyers, Aleesha Hobbs and Tayla Rose McKeown complementing her work, each recording a goal.
If Tullamarine can take the win here, they will establish themselves as a serious finals threat, whilst Essendon Doutta Stars will want to eliminate a potential challenger with Moonee Valley up next.
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v KEILOR PARK
Friday 7:30pm at Canning Reserve
Avondale Heights started well against Tullamarine last week, trailing by only eight points at quarter time but could not make the most of their opportunities, succumbing to the pressure of Demons and ultimately going down by 10 goals.
The Heights should be credited for their performance, though, as they entered the game with only 14 players, almost a dozen less than their opposition.
Affinity Miller was again the shining light, kicking two goals with Rita Ceravolo best-on.
Keilor Park were tested by Essendon Doutta Stars in what was a likely finals match-up.
The Devils were unable to limit the influence of the Stars’ key playmakers and were eventually beaten by 26 points.
Caitlyn Simon, Samantha German and Holly Berry made the most of limited forward entries, kicking one goal apiece.
Keilor Park will be looking to prove that the result was only an aberration and bounce straight back against a depleted but determined Avondale Heights.
COBURG DISTRICTS v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 10:00am at Cole Reserve
Season 2019 continues to be a learning experience for Coburg Districts, who still remains winless after suffering a 75-point loss at the hands of Greenvale last week.
Abbey Lord got Districts on the board with a goal in the second quarter, but they couldn’t contain the spread of goal kickers for the Jets at the other end.
Kerri Magee, Caitlin Murphy and Maria Carbone were named among the best players.
Roxburgh Park were unable to withstand the pressure of Maribyrnong Park and now sit precariously in fourth position, thanks to favourable percentage.
A slow start was costly for the Magpies against the Lions, as they were held scoreless in the first quarter, before breaking through with a goal in the second.
Shelby Best continued her form around goals, with Elisha Wain kicking her first goal for the Magpies as well.
Last time they met was back in Round 1, where Roxburgh Park took the honours in a commanding performance.
The storyline will likely be similar when they meet again.
MOONEE VALLEY v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 10:00am at Marybyrnong Park - Oval 2
Moonee Valley’s four-quarter effort against Maribyrnong Park secured them a 52-7 win at Ormond Park last week, setting the tone in a big day for the club at home.
Georgia Marsland was on par with her average across all games, booting four with Tara Newman, Molly King and Jessica Lewis also getting amongst the goals.
The Fog’s strong finish to the game should be pleasing for the coaching group and they will be intent on continuing such form into the first quarter here against the Lions.
Maribyrnong Park returned to the winners list in a consistent effort against Roxburgh Park.
Gabrielle Mahoney’s two goals and impact around the ground earned her best-on credit.
Maribyrnong Park got within four goals of the Fog in Round 1 and if they could do one better and pull off an upset here with winnable games still to come, they could potentially finish off the season strongly and keep their finals chances alive.
