Swans upset Tigers, Hawks claim top spot

Meg Saultry

Ivanhoe made the biggest statement of the round, giving Canterbury an old fashion beating to the tune of 73 points at Canterbury Sportsground on Saturday. It was Ivanhoe’s 10 goals across the second half that steeled up the unbeatable lead, though Canterbury broke through in the final term to put a goal on the board. Ashton Bridge and Federica Frew both nabbed three goals each for Ivanhoe, with the latter best afield in just her second game this season. Having already kicked 9 goals this season, Tahlia Day showed she was just as influential around the ground, though did chip in Ivanhoe’s final goal for good measure. Canterbury’s Jacqueline Edwards kicked her sides’ only goal in the final term, while Lauralee Rinaldi was the Cobras best. Ivanhoe now sits in second after the win, as Canterbury hangs onto its Top 4 spot, ahead of fifth only by percentage.

South Melbourne Districts toppled the ladder-leading St Bedes/Mentone Tigers by nine points at Gary Smorgon Oval, in what is the biggest upset of the round. The Tigers headed into the match firm favourites with South Melbourne sitting below in sixth, but it was South who lifted on the day and kept the Tigers scoreless in the second half to run out winners. South’s Lauren Gibbs earnt best on ground honours, while three teammates chipped in for the sides goals. Briony Lewis was important for the Tigers, as Eliza Cooper added another goal to take her overall tally to 10 for season. South Melbourne is back on the winners list and with three wins in four week, remain in sixth, while the Tigers loss important ground, dropping from first to third.

Hawthorn AFC are sitting comfortably at the top of the ladder, moving a win ahead of its rivals, after a 33-point win against Therry Penola at Rathmines Road Reserve. The Hawks started strong, looking sharp in front of goals as they slotted four straight goals by half time. Constructing a lead of 40-points by three quarter time, Hawks went into the final stretch feeling comfortable, and while Therry lifted to outscore the Hawks nine to two in the final term, it proved too late. Laura Castleden top-scored with three goals for the Hawks, while Penny Brown backed up her impressive haul from last round (4) with another two goals. Diamantina Kloufetos starred for the Hawks as their best, while Therry’s Kathryn Ennor was the shining light for the Lions as their only goal scorer, with Therry now dropping from fifth to seventh.

Swinburne Uni returned to the winner’s board after coming out victorious in a close 14-point affair against UHS-VU at St James Park. It was a low scoring affair as Swinburne carefully extended its lead at every break to run out winners. Rianne Coldebella was the only multiple goal scorer of the match, kicking two, while teammate Brianna Murphy was integral to the Razorbacks win. Sarah Noonan bagged the only goal of the game for UHS, and was the best on the day for the visitors. Swinburne remains fifth on the ladder after the win, but now only trails Canterbury (4th) by a percentage margin of 5.15, while UHS’s loss continues a run of five defeats as they drop from seventh into last place.