By David Nagel
Pakenham is just one win away from its first-ever women’s senior premiership after the Lions defeated Healesville by 19 points in the Outer East Women’s Division One second semi-final at Seville on Saturday.
The Lions absorbed a super-strong start from the Bloods to record a 6.5(41) to 3.4(22) victory and earn direct entry into the grand final at the Kilsyth Centre of Excellence on Sunday 25 August.
Healesville clearly had the better of the opening exchanges with Pakenham’s backline forced to work overtime to limit the scoreboard damage.
Defenders Emily Devine, Aliya Daniel, Annalise Ryan, Abbey McKenzie, Ash Perkins and Jayda Tannahill kept the Lions in the hunt in the first term, while the defensive running of wingers Bonnie Williams and Matilda Argoon was also important structurally.
The Lions gradually turned the tide in the latter stages of the first term, with a quick-thinking handball from Courtney Karayannis allowing Ava Deszcz to kick the opening goal – against the run of play.
Ruck Sarah Ventura and midfielders Courtney Stephens, Kate Green and Bianca Moody then settled into their work, and when centre-half-forward Chloe Nagel found Aiesha Kolaritsch in the goalsquare, the Lions led 2.1 to 0.1 at the first change.
Healesville then received well-deserved reward for its efforts at the start of the second term with key-forward Megan Schelfhout slotting a six-pointer just 30 seconds into the quarter.
The dangerous Kolaritsch answered for the Lions before Amy Frazzetto then cut the margin back to six points with the last kick of the first half.
The third term – known as the premiership quarter – was when the Lions put their stamp on proceedings.
Pakenham wasted three opportunities in front of goal before Moody extended the lead to 15 points with a cracking goal on the run.
And when Kolaritsch kicked her third for the match – her 46th for the season – the Lions led by 21 points at the final change.
Scarlett Potter gave the Bloods’ supporters some hope, kicking the opening goal of the final term after three minutes of play, before the classy Deszcz put the issue beyond doubt with four minutes left on the clock.
Ventura was magnificent for the Lions in the ruck, showing great courage to bounce back several times from big hits, while the run-and-carry of Williams, Perkins, Moody and Argoon gave the Lions a boost out wide.
Schelfhout was terrific for the Bloods from her key-forward post, while Dannielle Jones was typically tough at the contest.
The ruck battle between Ventura and Paula Pavic was the key contest of the match with both players giving their teams drive away from the stoppages.
While the Lions now get to rest their aching legs with a week off; Healesville will need to back up in this Saturday’s preliminary final against Upwey-Tecoma after the Tigers ended the back-to-back hopes of reigning-premier Olinda Ferny Creek in the first semi-final on oval two.
The Tigers converted their only scoring shot in the first quarter, leading by four points at the first break, before kicking two goals to one in the second term to take an 11-point lead at half time.
The Tigers then kicked 1.5 to no score in the third term to lead by 22 points with a quarter left to play.
Olinda Ferny Creek coach Simon Gilson got a response from his team in the final term, but a 2.0 to 1.1 last quarter was not enough to rein in the deficit.
Alex Bantock, Jess Occhipinti, Tegan Philp, Dakota Roach and Bec Thompson all kicked singles in the 5.7(37) to 3.2(20) victory, while Corinna White, Ash O’Halloran and Tahlia Sheehan were influential figures around the ground.
Maddy Collins, Lily Carlin, Ruby Gilson and Claire Hyett gave their all for Olinda Ferny Creek, who put up a brave defence of its premiership.
Healesville and Upwey-Tecoma will meet in the preliminary final at Healesville at 12.20pm this Saturday.
In Division Two, Monbulk has progressed to the grand final with a controversial 4.3(27) to 3.5(23) second semi-final victory over Woori Yallock.
With no power running to the time-keepers box at Seville, an air-horn was used as a siren.
At quarter-time the horn was blown several times in short bursts, with umpires not recognising the sounds as a siren.
Play continued on for several seconds after the allotted 17 minutes of play, in which time Monbulk kicked a goal; which proved absolutely crucial in its four-point victory.
But the Hawks definitely deserve their grand final shot, coming from four-points adrift at the final change to secure a memorable victory.
Laura Gillard, Kathryn Gow, Scarlett Henderson and Jennifer Pauw all snagged goals for the winners, while Shania Turner, Yanessa Hancock-Wolfe and Madeline Caarels were among their better players.
Despite the loss, Woori Yallock stars Sky Wilson, Keren Wakefield, India James and Adele Ormsby will take good form into this week’s preliminary final against Warburton-Wesburn.
The combine proved far too strong for Officer, ending the Kangaroos season with an impressive 8.6(54) to 3.1(19) triumph.
This one was effectively over at quarter time with Warburton-Wesburn kicking 4.1 to no score in the opening term.
Tamika Ferguson booted four, and Madi Ward two for the winners, while Lilian Pagels, Emerson Woods and Sally McIntosh played key roles in the victory.
Officer did well to play finals this year – sneaking its way in during the final round – with Zoe Luxford, Ella Jackson, Lauren Mercovich and Ava Cipriani showcasing their talents on the day.
Woori Yallock and Warburton-Wesburn kick off proceedings this Saturday, playing in the Division Two preliminary final at Healesville at 10.35am.
