SUPER SATURDAY IN SENIOR WOMEN’S
By KEL ROWE
The Mother’s Day weekend brought a super Saturday of footy for the Victoria University Polytechnic Women’s competition.
To launch the WRFL’s newest initiative, the Female Development Network, the round also celebrated “Women of the West in Sport”, presenting a cup to the winner of Saturday morning’s match between West Footscray and Wyndhamvale.
For West Footscray the game was a particularly special one, honouring their inaugural Team Manager Jan Hindson, who passed early last year to cancer. The Falcons joined their hosts for the cause — donning purple socks to raise awareness, and all players stood arm-in-arm in the centre square for a minute’s silence before the opening siren.
Straight from the start of the quarter, the Roosters were out to make a statement, surging forward into their scoring half off the back of some solid centre clearances. The Falcons responded quickly, and despite the defensive pressure from West Footscray, were able to crack the scoreboard first, kicking the opening goal for the game.
West Footscray returned fire thanks to the reliable boot of Kat Belcher, and the team steadied in the back end of the first term, kicking four unanswered goals.
Kendra Trewavis and Hazel McCafferty were dangerous in the forward line, with the latter bagging four goals for the Roosters before leaving the field due to injury late in the second quarter.
Wyndhamvale’s Poppy Popelwell threatened in open space in the second half of the game, but the Rooster’s backline foiled any attempt to cleanly serve up the ball to the Falcon’s forwards. Among the Roosters best, Morgan McNally repeatedly rebounded out of defence, moving the ball up the wing, and was rewarded for effort with a goal late in the third quarter.
In the final term, the Roosters stamped their authority on the game, with Nichelle Sellenger adding her second of the night to the scoreboard.
Notwithstanding the furious defensive efforts of Falcons Chloe Muus and Georgia Tzagarakis, West Footscray took home the silverware, with an 83-point victory.
Across the round, Yarraville Seddon banked their second on the trot, in their early morning hit-out with Point Cook. The Eagles had five individual goal-kickers, with Samantha Eldridge bagging three for her side, locking in a 60-point win.
It was a tough day at the office for Braybrook/Albanvale, who hosted Werribee Centrals, going down to the Centurion outfit by 123-points. Tori Kewish kicked three goals for her side and was named amongst the Central’s best.
Laverton had similarly dismal morning, being denied the win by visitors North Sunshine. The Roadrunners locked in their first victory of the season, winning 4.10. (34) to 1.2. (8).
To round out the day, it was a top of the table clash between Spotswood and Manor Lakes at Converse Oval, with the Wolves ultimately winning by 32-points.
Caitlin Brennan continued her good goal kicking form and was joined by Jasmine Goodman, each bagging three for their team.