By David Nagel
Pakenham is well-prepared for a tough finish to the Outer East Senior Women’s competition after a hard-fought 24-point victory over Monbulk at Toomuc Reserve on Saturday.
The Lions will definitely play finals footy this season after banking wins in their last two matches, against Thornton-Eildon and now the Hawks.
But coach Rick Stalker and his team face a stern test in the lead up to finals, hosting second-placed Healesville this week before freshening up with a bye and then travelling to Upwey Tecoma to take on the ladder leaders in the final round of the season.
The Lions were well-held early by Monbulk, who set up well behind the ball and denied the Lions any easy avenues to goals.
Abbey Tognazzini was once again brilliant in the ruck for the Lions, while Courtney Stephens, Bianca Moody and Melina Eppel were providing plenty of drive through the midfield.
But Stalker was not happy with his team’s attack at the football and let them know about it at quarter time.
“You’re are not communicating with each other and trying to do everything yourselves…this is not the football we want to play,” Stalker said.
“Start working together as a team, look for each other with your handballs and start being stronger over the football.”
Moody kicked the only goal of the second quarter, giving the Lions an 11-point lead at half time.
First-year player Steph Grentell then kicked another from the goal-square to give the Lions a match-winning lead at the final break.
The game opened up considerably in the final term, with Lions’ skipper Chloe Nagel kicking two goals in a hurry before Moody added another to give the Lions a six-goal lead.
Monbulk answered with two goals to Emily McKay, to balance the scoreboard with the overall run of play.
Pakenham played two first-gamers on the weekend with Brooke Tognazzini and Hannah Smith, both acquitting themselves well, while full-back Tash Wakenshaw, centre-half-back Emma Caulfield and Katie Sanders repelled the Hawks advances for the majority of the contest.
Molly Horne and skipper Indy Bakker battled their hearts out for the Hawks, why key-tall Jade McCormick was sensational around the ground.
In other games this week, Upwey Tecoma had a strong win over Olinda Ferny Creek in a battle between two of the top-three teams in the competition.
The Tigers were too strong, winning by 24 points, despite missing skipper and gun midfielder Kiana Oates.
Alex Bantock kicked two for the Tigers, while Lauren Cleeman, Bec Robinson and Corinna White were influential figures around the ground.
Maddi Collins and Phoebe Dixon booted one each for the Bloods, who remain in third place on the ladder.
Healesville continued its mightily impressive form, defeating Belgrave by 60 points at Belgrave.
The Bloods have threats everywhere you look up front, with Dani Carrucan, Kelly Laidlaw and Monique Willemsen chiming in with two goals apiece.
The Bloods had seven goalkickers on the day.
And Yarra Junction has prevailed by 32 points in a high-scoring contest against Seville.
Kylie Booker kicked three, and Michelle Goldsmith and Jade Radford two each for the winners, while Lilian Pagels slotted three majors for the Navy Blues.
In Eastern Division One, Beaconsfield had the bye in preparation for a tough test this week against Rowville.
The Hawks sit on top of the ladder, undefeated after eight games, while the Eagles sit in fourth place. The game kicks off at 10.40am on Saturday at Holm Park Reserve.
OUTER EAST WOMEN’S
RESULTS – ROUND 12
Pakenham 5.8.38 v Monbulk 2.2.14, Belgrave 2.0.12 v Healesville 10.12.72, Olinda Ferny Creek 2.1.13 v Upwey Tecoma 5.7.37, Yarra Junction 8.11.59 v Seville 4.3.27. Thornton-Eildon – Bye.
LADDER
Upwey Tecoma 44, Healesville 40, Olinda Ferny Creek 28, Pakenham 28, Belgrave 16, Yarra Junction 16, Seville 12, Monbulk 8, Thornton-Eildon 8.
FIXTURE
Pakenham v Healesville, Thornton-Eildon v Belgrave, Monbulk v Seville. Olinda Ferny Creek, Upwey Tecoma, Yarra Junction – Byes.
