By David Nagel
The Outer East women’s football season kicked off on Saturday with three competitive games in Division One showing the battle for this year’s title is definitely going to be hard-fought.
Berwick Springs, Healesville and Upwey-Tecoma all scored impressive victories on the weekend, but Belgrave, Pakenham – and reigning champs Olinda Ferny Creek – showed enough to suggest a very even season looks on the cards.
Berwick Springs prevailed by seven points over Belgrave 2.4(16) to 1.3(9), in a game where both defensive units were on top.
Kim Emile and Tayla Stephens kicked the only two goals for the Titans, who led by eight points at half time and maintained that margin through to the final siren.
Jess George and Megan Witchell were terrific for the winners, while Charlotte Crabtree and Emily Harvey did well for Belgrave in its first game up in Division One.
Pakenham made a great start against Upwey-Tecoma, but were outgunned by the Tigers in the second half, eventually going down 4.4(28) to 1.5(11).
The Lions were right on top early, with Abbey McKenzie, Emily Devine and Kate Green doing a great job in defence, while Sarah Ventura was dominating the tap outs.
Lions’ skipper Chloe Nagel kicked the only goal of the first term, and things looked good for the visitors who were applying some serious pressure.
Both teams hit the contest hard in the second term, with the Tigers levelling the scores at the main break with a late goal before half time.
Bec Thompson proved the difference after the break, kicking two goals and being an instrumental player around the ground.
Pakenham fought hard to stay in the fight; trailing by a straight kick at the final break before Upwey powered away with two last-quarter goals.
Jess Occhipinti, who was taken out of the match by McKenzie for three quarters, showed her class in the last with a vital goal.
First gamers for Pakenham, including, McKenzie, Green, Aiesha Kolaritsch, Rielle Menere, Emily Johnson and Kayla Wilson all did some nice things and will be handy additions as the season rolls on.
In the final game of round one, Healesville kicked three last-quarter goals to overcome a three-quarter time deficit against Olinda Ferny-Creek, winning 4.14(38) to 3.2(20).
Casey Wilsmore, Paula Pavic and Megan Schelfhout led the way for Healesville, who lost their only game last season to Olinda Ferny Creek in a cut-throat semi-final.
