By JARROD POTTER
Victorian Women’s Football League
Round 2
ON the winners’ list for the first time in its Division 1 lifespan, Cranbourne Women’s Football Club proved far too strong for St Albans.
The visitors didn’t stand a chance as Cranbourne booted 107-points-to-nil.
It all started with the midfield powerhouse – ruck Samantha Franklin tapped down to Alicia Heins and Ash Fennell at will before the fleet-footed Eagles found forwards Kirsten Mcleod, Nicole Schroeter and Alice Barfoot to decimate the Spurs defence.
Rinse, lather, repeat for 16 goals from a variety of forwards.
Cranbourne had answers to questions St Albans wasn’t capable of asking as the Eagles streamed out of defence to keep the Spurs scoreless at Casey Fields on Sunday.
Despite losing captain Danielle Hardiman to a knee strain earlier that week, the Eagles stood strong across the centre and defensive lines as St Albans failed to mount any sizeable offence.
Tess Butler and Lauren Hutchison excelled across half-forward and in the centre while newly promoted Mcleod’s seven-goal haul as the primary forward target was also top notch in her Division 1 debut.
“Really, really happy with it all and it’s good to see the girls play a great brand of footy,” Cranbourne coach Shaun Smith said.
“Macca (Mcleod) was fantastic and Kerry Anderson came across from Seaford and Scoresby and she’s a gun… we’re really happy to have those inclusions.
“We lost Dani Hardiman before the game, so it’s good to cover her loss.”
The turnaround from last week’s inability to score was the pleasing factor for Smith as the team linked up across the field and finished the job in front of the sticks.
“Last week I was disappointed that we lost, it was one that got away and we didn’t have enough scoring shots,” Smith said.
“We had plenty of the ball but couldn’t score, so it’s really good to kick a big score, 100-plus, and the defence was awesome as well.”
Cranbourne faces Knox at home on Sunday from 2pm.
In lower grade results, Hallam was unable to match pace with Port Melbourne Colts, downed 1.1 (7) to 2.14 (26). Sarah Beattie and Sarah Punton were best afield for the Hawks. While Cranbourne’s 3/4 team comfortably bested South Morang 8.6 (54) to 1.4 (10).
