THREE goals in three minutes sealed a wonderful start to the season for Kilmore’s women’s team, defeating Lower Plenty by 27 points.
The Blues battled away for three quarters to put away the Bears, but it was a last quarter burst which proved to be the straw that broke the Bears’ back.
Kilmore had a perfect start to the season three minutes in as Jade Ventura kicked the first goal of its season, but inaccuracy then plagued the Blues as they had ample opportunity to perhaps put the game away early in the first term. Instead, the Blues recorded five behinds as they led 11-1 at the first change.
It was goal-for-goal in the second term, with Lower Plenty hitting back to reduce the margin, before Shenay Reeves kicked an excellent goal out of the ruck. The Bears scored again, but Jenaya Stewart ensured the Blues held on to a nine-point lead at the main break with another goal, leading 23-14.
The third quarter was a struggle. It took 15 minutes for a key breakthrough, but for Kilmore, it was worth the wait as Chloe Talbot put through a much-needed goal to extend the lead to 16 points by the final change, 31-15.
The goal sparked Talbot, as did the rest of the Kilmore team, with Rose Love just about putting the finishing touches on the win, before Talbot added goals two and three to finish off a three-minute burst, and securing a 7.7 (49) to 3.4 (22) victory.
Shazi Cappello was best on, adding plenty for the Blues in a dual defensive-midfield role and winning plenty of clearances. Ella Stewart also performed well, as did Ventura, Grace Gerada, Jenaya and Reeves.
Meantime, Wallan was no match for St Mary’s 2, losing by 40 points at Greensborough College.
St Mary’s was just too strong around the contest, leading by seven points at the first change.
Wallan fought hard to get back into the contest, but its efforts early in the second quarter resulted in two behinds, while St Mary’s added two goals to deliver a bodyblow to the Magpies, leading by 19 points at the main break, 21-2.
The Burra again pulled away as the second half got under way, kicking another goal to extend the lead to 26 points at the final change, before kicking a further two goals in the last to run away 6.7 (43) to 0.3 (3) winners.
Isabella Newman worked hard for Wallan in the clinches, while Nicole Evans, Shayla McAullife, Olivia Gibb, Melanie Hope and Ava Borg were also named in the best for the Magpies.
Both Kilmore and Wallan’s next opponents were yet to be determined at the time of production.
