By David Nagel
The final-four has now been locked away in Outer East Division One Women’s football after a season-shaping penultimate round 14.
Healesville, Upwey Tecoma, Olinda Ferny Creek and Pakenham will battle it out for this year’s crown after Olinda ended the finals chances of Berwick Springs on Saturday night.
With one round remaining, Healesville and Upwey Tecoma will finish one-two – in that order – while Olinda and Pakenham will battle it out for third and fourth placing.
Olinda hosts the undefeated Healesville this weekend, while Pakenham faces an equally difficult assignment with a visit to Upwey Tecoma.
Finals are run over two weeks, with first taking on fourth and second playing third in semi-final action on Sunday 6 August…before the grand final takes place a week later.
Olinda Ferny Creek came out of the blocks firing on Saturday night, leading by 17 points at quarter time after a 4.0 to 1.1 start to proceedings.
Berwick Springs matched motors with the Bloods in the second term, but a 3.2 to 0.1 third stanza saw the home-side kick away once again.
Regular contributors in Vanessa Bateman and Olivia Edwards kicked three each for the Bloods, while Kyah Barry and key-tall Chelsea Wilson were others to stand out in the 9.3.57 to 4.5.29 victory.
The Titans may have been defeated, and now have no hope of playing finals, but have been a wonderful addition to the Outer East women’s league this year.
The Titans have very strong numbers and look set to be a tough team to crack in coming seasons.
Kim Emile booted two for the Titans, while Felicity Jouvelet, Megan Witchell and Chloe Romanoff were influential figures around the ground.
The Titans should round out their season with a strong win over bottom-placed Monbulk this week.
A stunning six-goal haul from Bec Thompson has propelled Upwey-Tecoma to a 9.8.62 to 1.3.9 win over Monbulk.
Thompson now has 31 goals for the season, just one behind classy left-footer Danielle Carrucan from Healesville.
The Tigers just steadily pulled away all night, with three goals in the final term their best output for the evening.
Skipper Alex Bantock kicked two goals for the reigning premiers, while Amy Elias, Leah Borg and Jess Walton owned their positions on the night.
Jennifer Pauw kicked the only goal for the Hawks, while the consistent Maddi Dodd and Kathryn Gow never gave up the fight.
And Healesville has shown its class with a dominant 14.13.97 to 0.0.0 victory over Pakenham at Toomuc Reserve.
The undefeated ladder-leaders had 10 scoring shots in the first term, but wasted opportunities kicking 3.7 in the opening quarter of football.
League-leading goal-kicker Carrucan booted three for the premiership favourites, while Danielle Jones and Ishka-Belle Stock snagged a couple each.
Skipper Alex Bryan was once again impressive for the winners, while Amy and Sarah Frazzetto proved difficult match-ups for the under-manned Lions.
Pakenham has had a horror-run of injuries in recent times, and started Saturday’s contest with just 14 fit players to choose from.
The Lions dug deep and never gave up all day, with Aliya Daniel, Courtney Karayannis, Katie Sanders, Bianca Moody, Tayla Sbisa and Niamh Mooren showing some promising signs ahead of finals.
Results R14: Monbulk 1.3.9 def Upwey Tecoma 9.8.62, Pakenham 0.0.(0) def by Healesville 14.13.97, Olinda Ferny Creek 9.3.57 def Berwick Springs 4.5.29.
Ladder: Healesville 56, Upwey Tecoma 36, Olinda Ferny Creek 28, Pakenham 28, Berwick Springs 20, Monbulk 0.
Fixture R15: Berwick Springs (5) v Monbulk (6), Olinda Ferny Creek (3) v Healesville (1), Upwey Tecoma (2) v Pakenham (4).
