By David Nagel
Pakenham remains in fourth position on the AFL Outer East Division One ladder after the Lions played some of their best football of the season to defeat Monbulk by 52 points on Saturday night.
Pakenham came out of the blocks fast, with a new-look midfield gelling quickly as the early stages of the contest played out.
Emily Devine and Annalise Ryan enjoyed their first taste of playing on the wing, while Pippa Simon and skipper Chloe Nagel adapted quickly to their new inside roles.
Resting ruckman Bel McGee and Amy Campbell both kicked first-quarter goals as the Lions raced out to 15 point lead at quarter time.
Rachel Betteridge then added two goals in the second quarter, with Campbell striking another blow to give the Lions a 35-point lead at the main break.
A nasty injury to a Monbulk player saw little action in the third, with McGee having time to slot her second for the evening.
Lucy Ventham then put the finishing touches on a strong win with a long-range goal in the final term.
Devine and Ryan were two of the better players for the Lions, while Abbey Tognazzini and Tash Wakenshaw kept the back six nice and tidy.
Laura Gillard, Jade McCormick, Kath Gow and Indy Bakker were some of the better players for the Hawks.
Undefeated Mt Evelyn has survived one of its toughest challenges of the season with the Rovers scoring a 3.1 (19) to 1.1 (7) victory over a rapidly improving Healesville.
The Rovers, who had not been kept to below five goals this season, struggled to break free of a desperate opponent, with the Bloods keeping the best team in the competition to just a single goal in each of the first three quarters.
Goals to skipper Isobel Urquhart, Georgia Ploegsma and Kiara Simons saw the Rovers home in one of the best contests of the season.
Madi Foley and Casey McConchie were also impressive for the winners, while Ruby O’Dwyer, Dannielle Jones and Emerson Woods were best for the defeated Bloods.
And second-placed Beaconsfield has also survived a tough outing with the Eagles scoring a 2.4 (16) to 1.2 (8) victory over third-placed Upwey-Tecoma.
Goals to Courtney Robinson and Katie Angelis sealed the deal for the Eagles, who had Charlotte Jagusch, Vickie Liarakos and Sarah McCallum all in top form.
Kiana Oates was once again outstanding for the Tigers, kicking a goal and being everywhere around the ground.
Jess Walton and Ella Collard also dug deep on a tough Saturday morning at the office.
This week’s match of the day sees Pakenham host Healesville at 3pm on Sunday.
Results: Beaconsfield 2.4 (16) v Upwey-Tecoma 1.2 (8), Pakenham 7.10 (52) v Monbulk 0.0 (0), Healesville 1.1 (7) v Mt Evelyn 3.1 (19).
Ladder: Mt Evelyn, Beaconsfield, Upwey-Tecoma, Pakenham, Healesville, Monbulk.
This week: Saturday 3pm – Mt Evelyn v Monbulk. Sunday 3pm – Pakenham v Healesville.
