WHITTLESEA continued on its winning ways in the Northern Football Netball League division three women’s competition but took some time to eventually shake off a dogged Wallan outfit at the Whittlesea Showgrounds.
The Eagles made a flying start to the battle of the birds, kicking the opening three goals of the contest. Audrey Steinke and Olivia Hodgson both kicked goals on the run, while Shayla Cooper added a late goal from a set shot in close to open up a 19-point lead at the first change, 19-0.
When Hodgson kicked the first goal of the second, the margin was 25 points, and it looked as though Whittlesea would again boost its percentage.
But the Eagles faced some strong resistance from Wallan, who was able to kick two of the next three goals, with Kaila Vangeli splitting the two Melanie Hope efforts.
A late goal to Trinity Tebbutt ensured Whittlesea would win the quarter, leading 37-12 at the main break.
Whittlesea struggled to put away Wallan in the third quarter, only managing one goal for the quarter through Indiana Robinson. But it was still enough to ensure the Eagles led 44-13 at the final change.
Whittlesea had a good final term, albeit a little inaccurate, kicking five behinds for the term, while Steinke added two goals to ensure the Eagles won 9.7 (61) to 2.1 (13).
Vangeli played well to be named best-on-ground, while Hodgson was noteworthy with her two goals. Ashley Fitzpatrick, Harper McPherson-Goulding, Robinson and Tahlia Brander completed the best players for the Eagles.
Laurimar had a bye, but will reconvene with a tough assignment against the ladder-leading Eagles, while Wallan host Epping at Greenhill Reserve.
