OMs claim minor premiership, CYs outgun De La

Meg Saultry

With the top 4 already locked in ahead of Round 14, it was only a matter of playing for final positions in the Division 2 Women’s competition.

Old Melburnians finished their home and away season with both the minor premiership and the win, defeating Bulleen Templestowe by 24 points at Elsternwick Park Oval. Four points separated both clubs at half time, but four unanswered goals to OMFC in the third term separated the two sides in the end. OMFC’s Isabelle Smith booted five goals in a Best on Ground display, while Clara Toohey also dominated her opponents. Rachael Traplin and Madelyn Davies were the best for the Bullants, and each slotted a goal, though the Bullants season effectively ends with the club finishing in fifth.

In a low-scoring affair, Whitefriars FC got the better of Oakleigh by beating the seventh placed side by 13 points at W.A. Scammell Reserve. The Friars slotted the only goal before three quarter time to effectively lead by 11 points (with a conversion rate of 1.6) heading into the final term. And in a even contest across the final 20 minutes, each team found another major before the siren sounded. Eilish Boyd kicked two goals for the Friars and finished the season as the Division’s leading goal kicker (with 23), while Therese McCarthy was judged best afield. Cassandra and Jordan Bethune impressed for the Krushers, while Mia Fortune kicked the sides’ lone goal in the final term. The Friars finish the home and away season in third, with Oakleigh remaining in seventh.

Williamstown CYMS will also head into the finals series in winning form after beating De La Salle by 31 points at Waverley Oval. CY kicked three unanswered first half goals, while keeping De La Salle scoreless in both the second and fourth terms, to win the match. CY’s Peta Glaister was her side’s best with two goals, while Stephanie Basile was another who stood out and finished with a major herself. Jennifer Males was De La Salle’s best performer and Tina Chokbengboun was at the end of her side’s only goal of the game. CY head into the finals in fourth, while De La Salle’s season comes to an end, with the side finishing in eighth.

Old Ivanhoe won their third game in a row ahead of Finals, handing Aquinas a 34 point beating at Aquinas College in the final game of the home and away season. Scores were level at the first break, with both sides slotting two straight majors in the opening term. But then it proved to be all Old Ivanhoe, with the visitors kicking another two goals by half time, before slotting five second half majors to take the game too far away from their opponents. Jacqueline Mitchelhill was best afield for the Hoers with her two goals, while teammates Lucy Purchase and Sienna Whiteman also finished with two. After her five goal haul last round, Aquinas’ Caitlin Flanagan was again her side’s best forward with two goals of her own, while Sophie Matthys also impressed around the ground. Aquinas finish in sixth to end their season, while Old Ivanhoe hold the coveted double chance heading into the finals, with the club sitting in second.