By David Nagel
Women’s football kicked off in grand style on the weekend with a competitive opening round of matches taking place in Outer East Division 1.
Reigning premier Pakenham had to call on its reserves of resilience to overcome a plucky Woori Yallock, coming from 10 points down at three-quarter time to win 3.0(18) to 2.4(16).
The Lions are a different looking outfit from the team that claimed last year’s premiership, with only seven players from grand final day taking to the field on Saturday.
The first quarter was a dour affair, with Woori kicking the only point of the quarter to lead by that margin at the first break.
Pakenham kicked the only goal of the first half in the second term to lead by four points at the main interval.
Woori Yallock, last year’s runners up in Division 2, and the only team promoted to the top-flight this season, then put its stamp on the contest in the third quarter.
With Emily Spicer and Belle Price in great form around the ground the Tigers kicked 2.2 to no score in the third, with goals to Emelia Robin and Sky Wilson opening up a clear margin at three-quarter time.
The Lions lifted in the final term, with the speedy Tianah Vandesteeg keen to avoid an upset loss on the opening day of the season.
Vandesteeg kicked two, and the returning Rachel Betteridge one, as the Lions capitalised on their total of three scoring shots for the day.
The ranking of both sides will become a little clearer this weekend, with Pakenham hosting Mt Evelyn and Woori Yallock paying a visit to Olinda Ferny Creek.
While Mt Evelyn had the first-round bye, Olinda Ferny Creek was forced to work hard for its 4.9(33) to 4.2(26) victory over Belgrave.
The Bloods trailed at half-time, but booted 3.5 to 1.1 in the third quarter to take control on the scoreboard.
The Magpies fought back hard in the final term, but the Bloods held on to kickstart their 2025 season.
Star forward Olivia Edwards slotted two goals for the Bloods, while one each to Madeleine Collins and Eloise Tyler kept the brave Magpies at bay.
Jess Walker kicked two and Charlotte Crabtree and Sophia Thomas-Tatti once each for Belgrave.
And Upwey Tecoma appears set for a good year after the Tigers rode a strong third quarter to a 5.4(34) to 3.1(19) victory over last year’s runners up Healesville.
The Tigers led by a point at the main break, but a 3.2 to no score third term put the issue beyond doubt.
Alex Bantock and reigning league-medal winner Jess Occhipinti kicked two each for the winners, who’s form has been kicked along by the return of Kiana Oates and Emma Caccetta this season.
In Division 2, Warburton-Wesburn is the early-season frontrunners after a clinical 18.24(132) to 0.1(1) thumping of Officer.
The Burras were brilliant from the first bounce, with ruck Hollie Eckhardt feeding the midfield of Emerson Woods, Sally McIntosh and Maddi Andueza with some clever tap work.
Scarlett Henderson was the hero for the Burras, kicking three goals in the opening term on her way to an incredible eight majors for the morning.
In other games, Thornton-Eildon secured a 5.3(33) to 2.2(14) triumph over Seville, while Wandin opened its account with a 5.9(39) to 0.7(7) victory over competition newcomers Yea.
The Tigers were competitive in their first ever women’s match, but just didn’t have their kicking boots on.
In Southern Division 1, Casey Thunder got the better of Narre South Saints, winning 5.7(37) to 2.6(18).
Lana Fullwood and Alizha Roche kicked two each for Thunder, while Pakenham premiership player Bianca Moody slotted the other.
Moody was named best on ground for Thunder, while her former Pakenham teammate Sarah Ventura was an influential figure in the ruck.
