BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v HILLSIDE
Friday 7:30pm at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
AN improving Hillside will travel to Burnside Heights on Friday night to play the rival Bears.
Burnside Heights held off a determined Westmeadows to record a nine-point win last week.
Leading by just one point at three-quarter time and down on players, the Bears were resolute in defence and kicked the only goal of a tight last quarter to take the four points.
Tori Russell played a strong game rebounding out of defence with Ebony Stevens and Brodie Stevens influential in the ruck and around the ground.
Hillside is coming off two good wins in a row, having run away in the last quarter to record a 20-point win against Strathmore in Round 5.
Rachael Jackson continued her good form, featuring among the goal kickers with Demi Houston also a threat in the forward half and Cassandra Turrie providing run through the middle.
The last time these two met was back in Round 1 of 2018, where Burnside Heights proved too good and were led by Brooke McKinley (seven goals).
But with McKinley suffering another unfortunate injury blow in last weekend’s match, Hillside will be out to change the narrative when they meet later this evening.
WESTMEADOWS v KEILOR
Saturday 10:00am at Willowbrook Reserve
Alongside ladder leaders Aberfeldie, Keilor appears to be the form team of the EDFL Women’s Premier competition, having won three successive games by convincing margins.
But Westmeadows has also played some quality football and will be doing its best to stop Keilor’s winning streak.
The Tigers kicked the last goal of the third quarter to get within one point of Burnside Heights last week but couldn’t get on the scoreboard despite repeat forward entries in the last.
Jacinta Scott was named best for the Tigers with support from Kloe Jordan-Wilson and Melanie Pill.
Keilor’s defensive wall was executed to great effect in their match against the Sunbury Lions at home, winning by 61 points with 26 scoring shots to none.
The Blues were led by Elizabeth Hosking, who launched numerous forward 50 entries, Sophie Freeman and Kallyn Gent, whose skill by foot was prevalent.
Westmeadows will be seeking to prove that it can overcome one of the ladder leaders on Saturday morning at Willowbrook Reserve, but the Blues will have other plans.
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v STRATHMORE
Saturday 11:50am at Eric Boardman Reserve
Eric Boardman Reserve will host a Round 6 fixture featuring an interesting Sunbury Kangaroos outfit.
The Roos have recorded big defeats against lower-ranked teams but conversely suffered a big loss to ladder leader Aberfeldie as well.
Here they come up against Strathmore, who have been competitive against similarly ranked mid-to-lower ladder teams without getting over the line.
VFLW Essendon-listed player Alex Quigley came into the Sunbury line-up and kicked 12 goals in a standout best-on-ground performance in last week’s 159-point win over Pascoe Vale.
The Kangaroos had 44 scoring opportunities for the game, with Kate Edney (four) and Georgia Marinier (three) also kicking decent bags.
Strathmore was competitive against Hillside, making the most of their forward forays and applying pressure in defence, limiting the end result to 20 points despite the difference in scoring shots being 20 to five.
Tia Wedge played her best game for the season, while Zana Maginness again backed up her recent form with two goals.
The Kangaroos currently sit on 12 points for the season and are behind Westmeadows and Hillside on percentage, so they will be eyeing off an early-season top four position with a win over Strathmore.
ABERFELDIE 1 v PASCOE VALE
Saturday 1:40pm at Clifton Park
Aberfeldie looms as the team to beat in EDFL Women’s - Premier.
It has set the current benchmark and shaken off early challengers and now faces a battling Pascoe Vale side still searching for its first win of 2019.
Aberfeldie looked ominous against Craigieburn in kicking 21.28 last week and finishing the game with a seven-goal last quarter.
Goals were shared among 11 players with Olivia Madden (four goals) and Jacquelie Pierce (three goals) proving most dangerous.
Kylie Kennedy earned best-on-ground honours for the match and also featured on the scoresheet with a goal of her own.
Pascoe Vale’s difficult start to the season continued against the imposing Sunbury Kangaroos.
The Panthers had minimum numbers available, but they tried hard all day.
Amanda Quirk was permitted into the team for her first game and was named Pascoe Vale’s best.
The second of Aberfeldie’s scheduled back-to-back EDFL Women’s matches at Clifton Park on Saturday (see below) will likely be Pascoe Vale’s biggest challenge yet.
SUNBURY LIONS v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 2:20pm at Clarke Oval
Round 6 presents an exciting opportunity for either the Sunbury Lions or Craigieburn to get back on the winners list in what should be an entertaining, closely-contested match.
Both teams currently sit at 1-4 with just 12 goals kicked between them over the first five rounds.
The Lions were gallant against Keilor, limiting the final margin to 61 points despite being under constant pressure from a large number of forward 50 entries by their opposition and not hitting the scoreboard themselves.
Jessica Rowe played another brave game for the Lions, as she continues to lead her team each week.
Craigieburn was unable to match Aberfeldie in Round 5 across the ground, but Chloe Jonkers, Tamara-Jane Lovett and Jazmin Wightman fought hard and will be important in giving their team the best chance to go 2-4.
With eighth playing ninth at Clarke Oval on Saturday afternoon, the result could come down to the wire.
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v COBURG DISTRICTS
Friday 7:30pm at Canning Reserve
Avondale Heights and Coburg Districts are yet to record a win in Season 2019 but under lights on Friday night at Canning Reserve, momentum can change.
Heights travelled to Ormond Park in Round 5 and matched it with Moonee Valley in the first half.
They kicked two goals to Moonee Valley’s seven for the match, with Rita Ceravolo and Affinity Miller playing significant roles in keeping their team in the hunt.
Coburg Districts was well beaten by an impressive Tullamarine outfit at Leo Dineen Reserve on Sunday, but the Lions didn’t drop their heads.
They were able to register a score from a 50-metre penalty in the third quarter, Abbie Storer was again busy around the packs and Maria Carbone put in another solid performance for her team.
Coburg Districts will be desperate to get its inaugural win on the board but its intent will be matched by that of Avondale Heights, who will look to claim its first win as a standalone team.
KEILOR PARK v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 10:00am at Keilor Park Reserve
Keilor Park Reserve will host a Saturday morning fixture that will pit a more seasoned Devils side with a developing Maribyrnong Park outfit.
In last week’s battle between two of Division 1’s experienced teams, Keilor Park claimed victory with two goals in the second quarter and held advantage at half time, before adding one more in each of the remaining quarters to win by 14 points over Roxburgh Park.
Sara Imela and Meghan Patrick asserted their presence and Samantha German’s two goals proved to be the difference on the scoreboard.
Maribyrnong Park was also full of running against an undermanned Aberfeldie outfit but kicked inaccurately, not scoring a goal after a spirited second quarter in which they opened the game up with four majors.
Jessa Baluyot took her season’s goal tally to six after adding three in the first half and Kate Arnold was also impressive, kicking two.
Having only won one game in 2018, Keilor Park has had a positive start to the 2019 season and is playing a consistent brand of football.
The Devils’ run should continue here, however the Lions could be a dangerous opponent as they gain confidence and experience.
ROXBURGH PARK v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 10:00am at Lakeside Oval
The first of three home games for Roxburgh Park at Lakeside Oval on Saturday will feature a resurgent Tullamarine side up against a focused Magpies outfit.
Roxburgh Park has now lost two in a row and will be determined to turn the tide.
At home on a cold Friday night, the Magpies couldn’t sustain scoreboard pressure, falling 14 points short of Keilor Park.
Sarah Mazzucco and Katelyn Birmingham were again threats up forward, kicking Roxburgh Park’s only goals between them.
Tullamarine’s overlap run and bounce was on show last week in a comprehensive win against Coburg Districts.
Tricia Devine was at her best all over the ground, breaking out of stoppages, setting her team up from defence and kicking four goals off her own boot.
Roxburgh Park will need to limit her influence when she returns to play her former team.
Kiandra Tuvaine and Emily Angelidis were also lively, helping their team win the ball out of the ruck, kicking long and asserting forward 50 influence.
Expect this game to be won and lost in the middle.
The team who wins centre clearances and around the ground stoppages will give their forwards the best opportunity to kick a winning score.
ABERFELDIE 2 v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 11:50am at Clifton Park
There are still a number of unknowns about Aberfeldie’s second side.
In the first match of the double-header fixtured at Clifton Park on Saturday, neighbouring Essendon Doutta Stars will be the opponent and they appear to be a strong contender in their first season of EDFL Women’s.
Aberfeldie could not match Maribyrnong Park in Round 5 with only 17 players available, but Ebony Rocci kicked her first goal of the season and both Ruby Cashmore and Louise Erasmus deserved some praise for their performance as well.
Aleesha Hobbs is the Essendon Doutta Stars spearhead and she currently sits second on the goal kicking tally with 13 goals.
Hobbs is complemented well by Lauren Sims, who had a standout game against Greenvale with four goals.
Essendon Doutta Stars will be full of confidence going into this match and Aberfeldie will have to bring its best to challenge them.
GREENVALE v MOONEE VALLEY
Sunday 2:20pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
In the only Sunday game scheduled for Round 6, Greenvale will take on Moonee Valley at Section Road.
The Jets have one win to their name for the season and couldn’t add to it against Essendon Doutta Stars last week, going down by 86 points.
The firepower of the Stars overwhelmed a Jets team that was without a bench.
Bianca Torrijos and Fredda Puruntatameri stood tall for their team and were supported by a couple of first gamers in Tylah Marchbank and Georgie Rodger.
Moonee Valley was challenged but eventually prevailed against Avondale Heights in Round 5, kicking 7.4-46 to 2.2-14 with Georgia Marsland’s six goals separating the teams.
Nadia Valenti also chimed in with a goal, while Lily Bussell-Poole played her best game for the Fog in her first season of football.
Greenvale will need its midfielders to limit the number of Moonee Valley forward entries and take their own chances in what will be a tough match-up.
