Pakenham’s premiership defence still has a beating pulse after the Lions scored their most impressive win of the Outer East Women’s Division 1 season over second-placed Olinda Ferny Creek.
The Lions have now won five straight after a commanding 7.14(56) to 2.2(14) defeat of the Bloods under the bright Friday-night lights of Toomuc Reserve.
The Lions were bolstered by several Gippsland players, with Power skipper Rebecca Fitzpatrick playing her first game in Pakenham colours, while her Coates League teammates Ash Perkins, Jayda Tannahill and Bonnie Williams were also influential figures on the night.
The Lions struggled to break free in the first quarter, but a 3.2 to 0.0 second term secured the premiership points on offer.
Courtney Stephens was the leading goalkicker with three, while Tannahill, Perkins and Fitzpatrick were joined by Charlotte Jones and Bianca Moody on an impressive list of best players.
The Lions still face a huge task to qualify for finals, facing the top-two teams – Upwey Tecoma and Mt Evelyn – over the last fortnight of the home-and-away season.
Pakenham will need to win both games, minus most of the Coates League talent, to defend their crown come finals time.
In other games this week, Ella Collard kicked two goals in Upwey-Tecoma’s 6.10(46) to 2.2(14) victory over Woori Yallock, while Alannah Dahlsen, Dannielle Jones and Ishka-Belle Stock all kicked two goals each in Healesville’s 10.8(68) to 1.3(9) success over Belgrave.
Undefeated Mt Evelyn had the bye.
In Division 2, Officer has chalked up its second win of the season after a 20-point victory over Seville.
Chelsea Barkwith and Lauren Mercovich were the chief destroyers for the Kangaroos with two goals apiece, while Mia Taylor, Brydie Mitchell, Breana Granger, Taya Rob, Madeline Caarels and Kaitlyn Ligthart contributed significantly to the triumph.
Undefeated Warburton Wesburn survived its biggest score of the season, breaking a three-quarter-time deadlock to win 4.13(37) to 2.2(14) against Wandin.
The ladder leaders plundered the big sticks in the final term, kicking 3.5 to nos core to run out comfortable winners.
Sienna Clark, Jasmine Enever, Lillian Pagels and Madi Ward all kicked goals for the Big W’s, while Scarlett Potter was terrific around the ground.
And Yea has basically locked away fourth spot after a 3.4(22) to 1.4(10) win over Emerald.
Madison Albers kicked two, and Georgia Knight and Emily Kerr were best afield for the winners, while Freya Taffe, Ruby Langham, Paige Nguyen, Hannah Koolstra, Molly Webb and Alana Whiting were brave until the end for the Bombers.
Fifth-placed Thornton-Eildon had the bye.
OUTER EAST WOMEN’S
DIVISION 1
RESULTS – ROUND 14
Pakenham 7.14(56) def Olinda Ferny Creek 2.2(14), Belgrave 1.3(9) def by Healesville 10.8(68), Upwey Tecoma 6.10(46) def Woori Yallock 2.2(14).
LADDER
Mt Evelyn 44, Upwey Tecoma 32, Olinda Ferny Creek 28, Healesville 28/ Pakenham 24, Belgrave 12, Woori Yallock 0.
FIXTURE ROUND 15
Upwey Tecoma v Pakenham, Mt Evelyn v Woori Yallock, Olinda Ferny Creek v Belgrave. Bye: Healesville
DIVISION 2
RESULTS – ROUND 14
Wandin 2.2(14) def by Warburton Wesburn 4.13(37), Seville 2.6(18) def by Officer 5.8(38), Yea 3.4(22) def Emerald 1.4(10).
LADDER
Warburton Wesburn 48, Wandin 36, Emerald 28, Yea 24/ Thornton Eildon 16, Officer 8, Seville 4.
FIXTURE ROUND 15
Wandin v Officer, Thornton-Eildon v Warburton Wesburn, Yea v Seville. Bye: Emerald.
