By David Nagel
Healesville has set up the prospect of a classic second semi-final with Pakenham after the Bloods defeated the Lions by eight points at Healesville on Saturday.
Already locked in for the top-two spots on the ladder; this was the final time the two teams would meet ahead of the grand final qualifier at Seville on Saturday 10 August.
Pakenham defeated Healesville in their first two meetings this year; but the Bloods were out to prove they could more than match it with the ladder leaders.
Healesville struck first through the classy left foot of Danielle Carrucan, before Tiannah Vandesteeg replied for the Lions to make it 6-6 at quarter time.
Carrucan and Ishka-Belle Stock then kicked the first two of the second quarter to take a 12-point lead midway through the term.
Pakenham then responded with a polished finish from league-leading goalkicker Aiesha Kolaritsch to make it seven points the difference at half time.
Carrucan added a third, one minute into the third quarter, before Dannielle Jones kicked another to stretch the Bloods advantage to 19 points.
Pakenham began to turn things around towards the end of the third quarter, and a second goal to Vandesteeg cut the margin to a gettable 13 points at the final change.
The Lions were well on top in the last quarter, having five scoring shots to nil, but were wasteful in front of goal.
The Lions just couldn’t pierce the big sticks, kicking 0.5 in the final stanza to leave scores at 5.1(31) to 3.5(23) at the final siren.
Paisley Stock, Alex Bryan and Casey Wilsmore were terrific for the winners, while Matilda Argoon, Abbey McKenzie, Sarah Ventura and rover Bianca Moody were best for the brave and undermanned Lions.
Pakenham finishes its home-and-away season with a Friday-night trip to Belgrave, while Healesville stays at home; rolling out the red-carpet for third-placed Upwey-Tecoma.
In other games this week, Maddy Collins, Ruby Gilson and Chelsea Wilson all kicked goals in Olinda-Ferny Creek’s 3.9(27) to 0.0(0) victory over Belgrave, while Upwey-Tecoma will also have goalkicking practice on its training agenda this week after a 3.10(28) to 2.2(14) win over Berwick Springs.
Jess Occhipinti booted two for the Tigers while Georgia Kristalyn slotted both majors for the Titans.
Division Two saw four great games of football played, with 11 points the greatest margin of any match at three-quarter time.
A magnificent four-goal last quarter from Officer has kept the Kangaroos faint finals hopes alive after a 6.7(43) to 2.1(13) victory over fourth-placed Emerald.
The Kangas kicked 4.2 to 0.1 in the final stanza to join the Bombers on equal points on the premiership ladder.
Erin Andrews, Chelsea Barkwith, Tylah Burn, Breana Granger, Lauren Langeveld and Alyse Osborne all kicked goals for the winners, who also had Ella Jackson and Ava Cipriani in red-hot form.
In other games, two goals to Adele Ormsby led Woori-Yallock to a 4.8(32) to 4.4(28) victory over a brave Wandin, while two goals in a best-on-ground performance from Kristen Kelly led Seville to its second win of the season over bottom-placed Thornton-Eildon.
Scores were locked at half-time before the navy blues kicked four goals to one after the break.
And Monbulk has won a huge clash against Warburton-Milburn at Monbulk; claiming top spot with a 5.4(34) to 2.11(23) victory over wasteful opposition.
Scarlett Henderson was the star for Monbulk, kicking four goals, while Shania Turner, Maddison Dodd, Stacey Jolly, Yanessa Hancock-Wolfe and Hannah Koolstra were all influential performers.
The Hawks now looked guaranteed top spot after this week’s final round of matches.
Ladders – Division One: Pakenham 48, Healesville 48, Upwey-Tecoma 32, Olinda Ferny Creek 24, Belgrave 8, Berwick Springs 8. Division Two: Monbulk 52, Woori Yallock 48, Warburton-Wesburn 46, Emerald 30, Officer 30, Wandin 26, Seville 8, Thornton-Eildon 0.
Fixture R16 – Division One: Belgrave (5) v Pakenham (1), Healesville (2) v Upwey-Tecoma (4), Olinda Ferny Creek (3) v Berwick Springs (6). Division Two: Wandin (6) v Seville (7), Emerald (4) v Woori Yallock (2), Warburton-Wesburn (3) v Thornton-Eildon (8), Officer (5) v Monbulk (8).
