TOP SIDES FIRE IN ROUND 3
By KEL ROWE
Round 3 saw the usual suspects pile on the points, with at least four teams registering runaway wins in the Victoria University Polytechnic Senior Women’s competition.
Saturday morning’s game kicked off with North Sunshine playing hosts to Yarraville Seddon in perfect sunny conditions at Dempster Park.
Both teams were keen to get their first win locked away, with the Roadrunners coming off a Round 2 bye, and the Eagles smarting from two consecutive losses.
The opening 10 minutes suggested the match might be an even contest, before the Eagles found their rhythm — causing North Sunshine to scramble in defence.
Yarraville Seddon kicked three in the first quarter, with a particularly impressive scoring assist from Emily Mizis, whose quick burst into the inside 50 led to Chloe Lazzaro’s on-target snap.
Whilst yet to hit the scoreboard, at the break the Road Runner’s coach Tom Ellard was happy with his team’s effort, urging them to continue to lock down the opposition forward line.
Right from the second quarter siren, however, it was apparent Yarraville Seddon had other plans for their hosts — bagging five goals and keeping North Sunshine locked in their defensive 50.
Ann-Marie Geary, Alana Wenban and Emily O’Connell all made the most of their scoring opportunities when in range of the sticks.
The halftime break did nothing to slow the Eagles down, with Samantha Eldridge nabbing a quick goal inside the opening minute of the third term. Despite some desperate efforts in defence from North Sunshine Captain Jessica Mudie, Yarraville Seddon continued to pepper the goal line, kicking five more goals to extend their lead out to 88-points.
At the final break, Eagle’s coach Pete Lazzaro praised his side for their clean centre clearances and challenged them to push themselves in the final term to seal a decisive win.
The Eagles outfit took his words to heart, storming home for the victory, winning by 108-points.
Elsewhere, Caroline Springs went head-to-head with Point Cook, running over the Doggies in a 93-point victory. Caitlin Pretty kicked six for the Lakers in their dominant win.
Spotswood continued their winning streak, kicking a whopping 36 goals 29 over a scoreless Laverton. The Wolves spread the scoring across the team with 11 individual goal kickers, led by captain Caitlin Brennan (10) and Peggy Toutziarakis (7).
West Footscray got their first win of the season, playing at home against Point Cook Centrals. The Roosters took it to the Sharks in a 22-point victory, with scoring shots from Molly Boorman, Bec Douglass and goal-sneak Kat Belcher (2).
Werribee Centrals hosted Manor Lakes out at Galvin Park, and the Storm made it three wins from as many games, overcoming the Centrals by 46-points.
To round out the weekend, Wyndhamvale took on Hoppers Crossing on Sunday afternoon — a match that saw the Warriors run over the Falcons by a clear 140-points.
Olivia Burrow was among the Warriors best, bagging a record five individual goals.