BROOKER’S BACK ON THE WINNERS BOARD
By KEL ROWE
Round 3 of the VU Polytechnic Senior Women’s Competition offered plenty of action —slippery surfaces saw many dramatic tussles play out on Friday night, whilst a new look Braybrook kicked their way to their first victory.
A rain-drenched Friday afternoon meant many of sides were made to grapple with greasy conditions, none more so than Spotswood and West Footscray, who battled it out under lights at Converse Oval. The Roosters were quick off the mark, scoring the first major of the night, but the Wolves responded quickly in-kind.
Eliza Terrey was influential for the visitors, surging through traffic repeatedly, whilst Spotswood’s Isabel Choate wreaked havoc around the ground. The game was decided in the dying seconds, with Spotswood claiming a 1-point victory, thanks to forward pressure that that resulted in a rushed behind.
Elsewhere on Friday, Caroline Springs Division 1 took on Werribee Centrals, going down to the home side by 40-points. In the physical clash the Centurions were too strong in front of goals — creating 17 scoring opportunities —Kyleisha Kinces converting three majors for her side.
The Caroline Springs Reserves more than made up for their clubmates’ defeat, beating out Division 2 team Point Cook in a 4-goal win at Saltwater Reserve. Lyla Griffin and Caitlyn Volpe starred for the Lakers, kicking 3 and 2 goals respectively, with Volpe also earning time in best.
Saturday morning kicked off with a strong display from Division 1 side Spotswood, blowing away the Parkside Spurs in a comprehensive 122-point victory. Asserting their dominance from the opening siren, the Wolves were relentless, keeping the Spurs to just 3 behinds. Maddison Cooper was prolific – bagging 6 individual majors for the winning side, with Spurs Taquila Angel and Riaana Sadler working hard under pressure for their side.
Despite an evenly contested first half, the Eagles got the jump on the Sharks out at Featherbrook Reserve in the final Division 1 matchup of the weekend. Yarraville Seddon came out firing after the main break, kicking 4 unanswered goals to secure a 34-point win. Sierra Greives snagged 2 majors and was named amongst the Eagles best, whilst Mary Daw’s work rate was critical in defence for Point Cook Centrals.
New Braybrook coach Charlie Fenech steered his side to their first win in 2023, after the Brookers ousted North Sunshine by 26-points. The game saw both sides hit the scoreboard early, in a physical affair. Sarah Jamieson starred for Braybrook, bagging a 4-goal haul; with Noelle Burden producing the goods for North Sunshine, kicking a major and earning time in best.
To round out the weekend, Division 2 ladder leader Wyndhamvale hosted Laverton — the former securing their third win on the trot. The Falcon forward line starred in the 50-point victory, and marked the return of WRFL 2018 Leading Goal Kicker Kellee Mcintosh, who booted 2 majors for her side. Despite showing significant improvement, Laverton were unable to respond to Wyndhamvale’s dominance, nabbing a single major off the boot of Magpie Sam Moodie.