Eagles hold on in one-point thriller

Rebecca Carter

Marcellin were able to hold off an almighty effort from Kew and remain undefeated in season 2021.  It was Marcellin who took the early lead, however in an impressive second quarter that saw Marcellin kept scoreless, the Bears took a 6-point lead into the main break. The seesawing affair continued in the second half, and this time it was Kew’s turn to be kept scoreless, in a 2 goal to nil third term from Marcellin. Kew fought back in the last term, however it wasn’t enough, with the final siren sounding and the scoreboard in Marcellin’s favour by a single point. The bookends for Marcellin, Anja Marshallsay down back, and Shaylee Taylor (2 goals) up forward, both stood tall. Kew will be buoyed by their display against the ladder leaders and will look towards a similar display against an equally strong St Kevin’s outfit this week.

Windy conditions wreaked havoc at Glenhuntly Oval, as an inaccurate display of goal kicking from both sides led to an intriguing match between Caulfield Grammarians and Old Trinity. It was Caulfield who were able to create more opportunities and capitalise in key moments throughout the game, running away 24-point winners. Milly Hines was a rock for the Fields down back, playing an integral role in keeping Trinity goalless. Chelsea Fisher and Maysen Duffy both put forward their most complete games for the season, demonstrating there is no reliance on just a small few down at Caulfield. Both teams have enticing match ups this week. Caulfield will be looking to be the first team to take the points from ladder leaders Marcellin, whilst Old Trinity come up against St Mary’s Salesian, where both teams will be searching for their first win of 2021.

A clinical defensive display in the second half allowed West Brunswick to defeat St Mary’s Salesian by 22 points at Ferndale Park. With just 9 points separating the two teams at the main break, a three goal to one second half, led by Laura Holdsworth (2 goals) was enough for West Brunswick to secure their third win of the season and hold down fourth spot on the ladder. The day belonged to Nahkita Wolfe, who not only took the best on ground honours, but provided the highlight of the day with a long goal from outside the 50m arc in the first quarter. It’s a crucial clash against Old Xaverians for West Brunswick this week – lose and they fall out of the top 4, win and they put a gap on those below them. An equally important game awaits St Mary’s against the winless Old Trinity.

The most dominant effort of the round belonged to SKOB, with the Saints defeating Old Xaverians by 48 points with a consistent four quarter effort. Kicking 2 goals in each quarter, the Saints had 3 separate players kick 2 goals each (Sarah Cameron, Margaret Gleeson and Jessica Joyce) as they held Xavs to just a single goal. That goal was a brilliant end over end shot from well outside the arc from Sarah Anderson, who was also named her team’s best. Xav’s will be looking to put back-to-back wins together in an important game against fourth-placed West Brunswick, whilst the Saints will need to be wary against an in-form Kew.