WALLAN and Kilmore both experienced tough days in the Northern Football Netball League women’s competition on Sunday afternoon.
The Magpies continued their recent improvement, keeping a free-scoring Whittlesea outfit in check for much of the day at the Whittlesea Showgrounds, but lost by 48 points.
The Eagles took charge in the first quarter by kicking three goals to no score to lead 19-0 at the first change.
However, Wallan had a good second quarter, keeping pace with the Eagles, and kicking two goals to three, with both goals kicked by Melanie Hope, ensuring the Magpies trailed 12-37 at the main break.
Defensively, Wallan held up well in the third term, and restricted Whittlesea to just one goal, but it wasn’t enough to make inroads, with the Eagles leading 44-13 at the final change.
Whittlesea kicked a further two goals to ensure it would win 9.7 (61) to 2.1 (13).
Kelly Lennox continued her fine season, while Hope, Jordan Stanyer, Shannyn Powell, Bec Turnbull and Brittney Knight also played well.
A late charge from Kilmore fell desperately short as the Blues tasted defeat for the second time this season at the hands of Darebin at AH Capp Reserve.
Playing in incessant rain, it was a tough affair in the opening quarter, with both teams enjoying chances, but both scored three behinds to end the quarter deadlocked 3-3.
Darebin got the start it wanted in the second term, and added two goals, but Kilmore scored a much-needed late one through Chloe Brown to trail 10-15 at the main break.
The third quarter would ultimately prove the difference. Darebin kicked two goals, ensuring it increased its lead to 18 points by the final change, 28-10.
A furious fightback saw Jade Ventura give Kilmore life with a goal in the opening minutes of the last term, while Brielle Kinnear added another to set up a grandstand finish, but it was the home side who held on, winning 4.5 (29) to 3.7 (25) to take a small amount of revenge from the semi-final last season.
Alexis Knight played a brilliant game, while Ella Stewart, Nicole Bauce, Sacchi Rose-Grigg, Chiara Nardo and Jenaya Stewart were also named in the best.
