By David Nagel
The composition of the Outer East Women’s Division One finals series appears to be locked and loaded after Upwey Tecoma and Olinda Ferny Creek overcame the respective challenges of Belgrave and Berwick Springs on Saturday.
The top-two teams, Pakenham and Healesville, dodged the first bout of serious winter weather on the weekend, with both teams having byes, allowing teams from third to sixth on the ladder to battle it out on centre stage.
And both games came down to stirring final-quarter battles, with both producing single-figure margins heading into the final term.
Upwey Tecoma, third, had to come from behind at both half time and three-quarter time to score a 4.5(29) to 3.2(20) victory over Belgrave.
The visiting Magpies looked the winners at the final break, leading by seven points, before the Tigers came home strongly.
With Tahlia Sheehan (two goals), Alex Bantock and Jess Occhipinti providing targets up forward, the Tigers kicked 2.4 to no score in the final term to edge clear for a very important victory.
Niamh Hunter-Clear, Corinna White, Rebecca Thompson, Ella Collard and Dakota Roach all lifted for the Tigers, while Francesca Alves was once again the outstanding player for Belgrave.
Amber Drummond, Alexandra Walsh, Nicole Baboucek, Yvonne Pleydell and Lauren Sultana were also strong for the Magpies, who head to Pakenham this week to take on the ladder leaders.
Upwey, meanwhile, has the bye.
Reigning premier Olinda Ferny Creek also had to battle hard for its 3.10(28) to 1.3(9) victory over Berwick Springs.
The Bloods wasted huge opportunities in front of goal; leaving the door open for the Titans with the scores at 1.10.16 to 1.2.8 at three-quarter time.
But with Charlotte Edwards, Charlotte Humphries and Olivia Edwards adjusting their accuracy up forward, the Bloods kicked 2.0 to 0.1 in the final term to strengthen their grip on fourth spot.
Lily Carlin, Vanessa Bateman, Claire Hyett and Ruby Gilson were good performers for the Bloods, while Tameka Youn, Zara Strang, Tracey McMinimee, Caitlyn Bonney, Megan Witchell and Felicity Jouvelet battled things out for the Titans.
In Division Two, the inclusion of Casey Demons VFLW player Tylah Burn has helped Officer score its best win of the season against Wandin.
The Kangaroos looked gone at three-quarter time, trailing by 11 points, but the grit and determination of Breana Granger, Lauren Mercovich, Lauren Langeveld and Burn helped turn the deficit into an inspiring 6.7(43) to 5.3(33) triumph.
Mercovich and Chelsea Barkwith snagged two each for the winners, while Chloe Stokes matched their total for Wandin.
In other games, Warburton-Wesburn narrowly hold top spot after a 2.5(17) to 0.5(5) win over Woori Yallock, while Monbulk bounced back to form with a 63-point win over Seville.
And Emerald is now a game clear in fourth spot after the Bombers scored a 20-point win over Thornton-Eildon.
Molly Webb slotted three, and Paige Nguyen two for the Bombers, who had Indianna Flint and Caitlin Ellis play fine four-quarter games.
Tahnee Heard, Suede Croad and Isabella Weston were best for Thornton-Eildon.
