By David Nagel
A stunning six-goal haul from full-forward Chelsea English has propelled Pakenham to a crucial 17-point victory over Olinda Ferny Creek in the Outer East Division One women’s clash at Toomuc Reserve.
English, or ‘Spanish’ to her teammates, took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second quarter, booting all four of her team’s goals to set up the 7.6.48 to 5.1.31 triumph.
Winning the clash between third and fourth on the ladder now sees the Lions with a two-game buffer in third position…just five weeks out from finals.
Olinda Ferny Creek won the toss and kicked with a two-to-three goal breeze blowing towards the cricket nets end at Toomuc.
The Lions won the contest, 17 to 10 in the opening stanza, but a late goal to Tobi Monkhorst saw the Bloods take a nine-point lead to quarter time.
Pakenham made its move in the second term, with English dribbling one through to open her account before nailing a set-shot just three minutes later.
The Lions were winning through the midfield, with Tash Wakenshaw doing a great job in the ruck and Chloe Nagel, Courtney Stephens and Bianca Moody providing great drive forward.
Emily Devine, Courtney Karayannis, Amanda Hobba and youngster Aliya Daniel provided a wall across half back as the Lions moved the ball quickly and efficiently…putting pressure on the Bloods’ defence.
English kicked two more for the quarter, at the 12 and 14-minute marks, to give the home side a 16-point advantage at half time.
But Olinda Ferny Creek has been one of the top-three teams for a reason, and the Bloods responded with a 3.1 to 0.0 third term to take the lead at three-quarter time.
Kyah Barry was everywhere for the Bloods, while Ruby Gilson, Chelsea Wilson and Monkhorst were dangerous targets up forward.
A late goal to Wilson gave the Bloods a three-point advantage at the final break.
But Pakenham answered strongly in the last, with Stephens opening the scoring, giving the Lions the lead, before English kicked her fifth and sixth for the match to lock away the four points.
This was Pakenham’s best win for the season, with all 19 players playing a role in the victory.
English stood out with her six goals, but the tackling and pressure of players such as Devine, Nagel and Tayla Sbisa set the scene from the first bounce.
Gilson and Monkhorst ended the day with two each for the Bloods.
Bec Thompson has kicked four goals to give reigning champions Upwey Tecoma a 63-point victory over Monbulk in their twilight clash at Upwey on Saturday.
Thompson, who leads the competition goal-kicking with 23 for the season, continued her great form with another impressive display.
The Tigers kicked 3.7 to no score in the first term, and booted 4.1 to 0.1 in the third in the two dominant phases of the match.
Amy Elias, Jess Walton and Georgia O’Halloran were best for the Tigers, while Josie Ford and the persistent Maddi Dodd gave their best as usual for the Hawks.
And Healesville remains undefeated after a 35-point victory over Berwick Springs at Mick Morland Reserve.
The ladder-leaders opened the game up in the first quarter, kicking 3.5 to no score, and cruised home to victory from that point forward.
The Titans never gave up and finished the game in style, booting 1.4 to no score in the last term to cut the three-quarter-time deficit.
Danielle Carrucan continued her impressive season, kicking three goals for Healesville, while Perry Byron and Lisa Mathieson kicked two each.
OE Women’s Results R10: Pakenham 7.6.48 def Olinda Ferny Creek 5.1.31, Upwey Tecoma 8.16.64 def Monbulk 0.1.1, Berwick Springs 2.5.17 def by Healesville 7.10.52.
Ladder: Healesville 40, Upwey Tecoma 32, Pakenham 24, Olinda Ferny Creek 16, Berwick Springs 8, Monbulk 0.
Fixture R11: Healesville (1) v Monbulk (6), Upwey Tecoma (2) v Olinda Ferny Creek (4), Pakenham (3) v Berwick Springs (5).
