STRATHMORE v WESTMEADOWS
Friday 7:30pm at Boeing Reserve
STRATHMORE began their run of four consecutive Friday night matches in the best way possible with a team-lifting win against Craigieburn.
Led by Robyn Randell, Chloe Taylor and Sharon Mumford with two goals, the Mores were able to kick majors in each quarter to run out 37-point winners.
Westmeadows will also be buoyed after overcoming two tough losses to Burnside Heights and Keilor, to lead from the get-go against Pascoe Vale, with 10 individual players contributing to their total.
Nicole Chiera (three goals), Natalie Linton (two) and Renae Schwarze (two) continued their good form in front of goal.
The 2018 Elimination Final was the setting for the last match between these two teams with Strathmore able limit the margin to 30 points.
Westmeadows only managed to break away in the last quarter.
The Mores will need to put in a four-quarter effort here to turn the table.
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v ABERFELDIE 1
Friday 7:30pm at Eric Boardman Reserve
The Sunbury Kangaroos have now won three games on the trot after an inspired win against Burnside Heights.
A nine-goal-to-one second half compounded the damage for the Bears.
Alex Quigley’s inclusion was important for the Kangaroos, producing 10 goals.
This takes her to the top of the goal kickers list for EDFL Women’s - Premier after two games played.
Bronte Koutras, Laurelle Borck and Rebecca Dekazos also featured strongly.
Aberfeldie remain undefeated after seven rounds, holding a gritty Keilor at an arm’s length and matching the Blues’ two-goal last quarter with two of their own to win by that same margin.
Olivia Madden and Alicia Reivers were strong forces for Aberfeldie up forward, with four goals between them whilst Amy Smith’s pressure also earned her recognition amongst the best.
At the mid-way point of the season, the Kangaroos now sit in third ahead of Burnside Heights on percentage whilst Aberfeldie sit two games clear on top of the ladder.
Sunbury Kangaroos supporters should be out in full voice at Eric Boardman Reserve on Friday night, as they take on the division’s benchmark team in what should be another intriguing test.
With the Queen’s Birthday break coming up, the Kangaroos have the opportunity to leave it all out on the park.
HILLSIDE v KEILOR
Friday 7:30pm at Hillside Reserve
The four-goal performances of Rebecca Coleman and Emily Paterno led Hillside to a resounding 17-goal-to-one win over the Sunbury Lions at home last Friday night.
Coleman has proven a consistent option around goals for the Sharks with 10 majors to her name for the year, whilst Paterno, an experienced campaigner at VFLW level, came in for her first game and was listed as their best.
Rachael Burton (three goals) and Daniella Dipaola (two) also troubled the Lions’ defence.
Keilor made significant inroads against Aberfeldie, bridging the gap between their Round 2 and Round 7 losses by 36 points.
The efforts of Lauren Caruso (one goal), Erin Bult and Imogen Goullet (one goal) almost willed the Blues across the line.
Keilor’s only losses for 2019 thus far have been to Aberfeldie and they will look to keep it that way.
Hillside have proven that they can hold their own in EDFL Women’s Premier, sitting fifth after an impressive four weeks with the only blip in that period being a two-point loss to Burnside Heights.
However, their three losses for the year have been to higher-ranked teams (Westmeadows, Sunbury Kangaroos and Burnside Heights) and they will need to reverse that trend to take the points against Keilor.
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 11:50am at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
Burnside Heights had no answers in Round 7 against a ruthless Sunbury Kangaroos outfit, going down 14-102.
Maria Afuhaamango and Kayla Ravanello kicked a goal apiece, with Brodie Stevens named best for the beaten team.
The Bears had a number of player changes for the match and have struggled for goal kicking options over the last month, especially since losing Brooke McKinley in Round 5 and playing without Sina Mason.
There has been a heavy reliance on Afuhaamango and Ravanello but they will need to find other avenues to goal to stay in the hunt as a finals contender.
Craigieburn were unable to change their fortune against Strathmore despite best efforts, with the visitors recording a six-goal win.
Natasha Campbell was the Eagles’ sole goal scorer, kicking her first for the season.
Naomi Heatcote and Shaylah Kendrick tried hard and were named amongst the best for their team.
Over the past month, Craigieburn have only been able to manage three goals and will be desperate to apply scoreboard pressure against Burnside Heights.
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v ABERFELDIE 2
Friday 7:30pm at Canning Reserve
Level with Greenvale at half time in Round 7, Avondale Heights turned the game in their favour with a 4.4 to 0.1 third quarter to join the winners circle for the second week in a row.
Isabella Iaccino was damaging, kicking four goals in a best-on-ground performance.
Daisy Samuel continued her excellent first season for the Heights.
Aberfeldie backed up their performance against the Essendon Doutta Stars with a 33-point win at home to Coburg Districts.
Challenged by Coburg Districts in the opening quarter and going into the first break with only a one-point lead, Aberfeldie were able to stop Districts from scoring for the remainder of the match, while adding a further 4.8.
Ruby Cashmore (one goal) provided a spark in front of her home crowd.
Avondale Heights will be gunning for a trifecta of wins in this match, in what looms as a winnable game for both teams.
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 10:00am at Nipper Jordan Oval
On a blustery Friday night at Lakeside Oval, the Stars opened up a commanding first half lead before Roxburgh Park did their best to stage a late comeback.
Aleesha Hobbs’ run-and-carry along the wings enabled the Stars to create opportunities up forward, which she also capped off, with five majors to her name.
Joanna Falconer was also lively, contributing two goals.
Maribyrnong Park will be looking to their defenders to limit their influence coming into this one.
The Lions will be disappointed they let the game slip against Tullamarine going down by 14 points, as the last quarter again proved to be their demise.
With nine of 11 goals kicked for the game down one end, Tullamarine had the scoring end for the last and kicked 1.5 to edge out the Lions.
The Stars play a free-flowing brand of football when they are at their best.
However, they were pushed by the Magpies around stoppages in the second half last week, so locking the game up could be Maribyrnong Park’s go in this one.
COBURG DISTRICTS v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 11:50am at Cole Reserve
Districts have been getting closer to a win, with 29- and 33-point losses over the past two weeks, however they come up against an impressive Keilor Park outfit who will be looking to rebound straight back after their second loss for the year.
Abbey Lord was able to open Districts’ account early in the first quarter last week, but it proved to be their only score for the game, although they were able to keep Aberfeldie to 5.9.
Bianca Hendricks, in her first season back playing football, has proven to be a consistent performer.
Keilor Park’s confidence should have been re-inforced by their three-point loss to Moonee Valley, taking motivation out of the match to maintain their positive early season momentum going into the Queen’s Birthday break.
Chiara Imela, Meghan Patrick and Caitlin Holzheimer have been shining lights for the Devils and should continue to propel their team towards the finals.
