Chargers fire, Sharks bite, and Westbourne cruise in Round 2

Round 2 of the Division 4 Women’s 2025 season delivered some surprising results, as Port Melbourne Chargers, Westbourne Grammarians and Beaumaris consolidated their title for the teams to beat this season.

Unfortunately, the first match of the round between Oakleigh and Old Xaverians was not contested as Old Xavs forfeited, handing the Krushers the four points by default. As much as it was a disappointment not to see either team in action at Scammel Reserve, Oakleigh will be relieved to be on the winner’s list following a 75-point shellacking at the hands of Port Melbourne Chargers in Round 1. Meanwhile, Old Xavs will have their eyes set on their Round 3 clash with second place Westbourne at home next week. 

Over at Righetti Oval, Port Melbourne Chargers (6.6.42) banked an impressive 41-point win over St Kevin’s (0.1.1) to continue their fantastic start to the 2025 season.

Although not all was breezy for Port Melbourne, after St Kevin’s brought the fight in the first half despite nothing to show for on the scoreboard. A third quarter blitz by Fleur Wilson (2 goals), Olivia Box (1 goal), Claire Peters (1 goal) and Chumin Zhou (1 goal) swung momentum back in favour of the Chargers. What seemed a resolute defence for the Saints in the first half crumbled under the heat of Port Melbourne’s forwards.

It was this consistent pressure around goals that contributed to the 7-goal buffer maintained until the final siren. It wasn’t all negative for St Kevin’s, as Kritikides, Hoal, Stephenson, Leckey, Lupson and Holden performed admirably in the loss.

On the horizon, St Kevin’s travel to McCalister Oval to take on Round 2 winners West Brunswick, while table-toppers Port Melbourne play Monash Blues at Frearson Oval.

Undoubtedly, the match of the round took place between West Brunswick (5.2.32) and the Monash Blues (2.7.19) at McCalister Oval. In a see-sawing contest that had multiple lead-changes, West Brunswick held their nerve to win by a gritty 13-points.

It is needless to say that straight kicking was the difference between the two sides, as West Brunswick capitalized upon their opportunities in front of the sticks. Inaccuracy was much of the story for the Blues in the first term, however, did not dictate the second quarter as they held a 5-point advantage at the main change. West Brunswick’s Kate Dean seized her moment to put West Brunswick back in the lead early in the third quarter.

A heavily contested game ensured the scores were level throughout much of the final term, before Melanie Chea, Dominque Grabau and Le Rossignol kept Monash at bay with decisive second half goals – to run out winners by 13. Vuong, Yonehara, Bellicanta and Carpenter were among the Blues’ best but could not will their team over the line.

Monash will look to bounce back against ladder-leaders Port Melbourne while the Magpies take on St Kevin’s next week.

In the mid-day timeslot at the historic W.T.Peterson Oval (formerly Brunswick Street Oval), Westbourne Grammarians flexed their muscles in a 23-point victory over Fitzroy.

Such was the impressive nature of the win, that Westbourne held Fitzroy goal-less in the first half, while booting 3 goals of their own to lead by 19.

Fitzroy’s first major occurred at the 12^th minute mark of the 3^rd term to cut the margin back to 13. However, that was the final glimmer of hope for Fitzroy as Westbourne frequently hit the scoreboard in the second half courtesy of goals from Choate, Moodie and Gashi.

Fitzroy earnt a consolation prize late in the fourth quarter, but it proved not enough as Westbourne basked again in the winner’s sunshine. Other significant contributors to Westbourne’s victory include Elissa Natale, Natasha Dunn, Te Aroha Hapuku and Jazmyn Mathers.

As the weekend was marked by close matches, the contest between Beaumaris (15.12.102) and Preston Bullants (0.0.0) was far from a nail-biter. Beaumaris eager to kick-start their 2025 campaign after a win-by-forfeit in R1, caught fire against Preston in a 102-point mauling at Banksia Reserve.

A quiet first term by both sides was dispelled quickly by Beaumaris booting 5 un-answered goals in the second quarter to lead by 41 at half-time. This domination was largely a result of Isabella Allen’s stellar 7 goal performance emulating Jesse Hogan’s 9 against the Eagles last week.

Unfortunately, the Preston defense had no response to Allen’s full-forward clinic. 4.4 goals in the third quarter, then a further 5 in the fourth stretched the lead to a mammoth 102 points at the final siren.

Despite the margin, Preston was commended for their attack on the ball all day, headlined by Jenkins, Marks, Luci, Braini and De Santis to name a few. Preston will keenly look forward to their R3 home clash with Fitzroy, while Beaumaris will host Oakleigh.

Expect some more fireworks in Round 3, as Beaumaris and Oakleigh are sure to catch the attention of fans in the match of the round. Another warm Melbourne week ahead will set the stage for some epic battles across Round 3 of Division 4 Women’s.