By David Nagel
Pakenham will look to rejuvenate its flagging Outer East Women’s Division 1 season when the reigning premiers reacquaint themselves with a familiar foe at Healesville on Saturday.
The 9.10am game at Healesville will be a rematch of last year’s grand final where the Lions won their first-ever women’s premiership with a high-class performance against the Bloods.
The Lions have struggled to replicate that form this season; currently sitting second last on the table, but are showing signs of improvement.
Young players such as Rielle Menere, Ella Jackson, Sienna Jones and Ellana Stanbury will have fresh legs this week, coming off the bye, while Healesville comes in a little shaky after a 43-point defeat at the hands of Olinda Ferny Creek.
The Battle of the Bloods was basically over at quarter time with Olinda Ferny Creek kicking 5.1 to 0.3 in the first quarter on its way to an 8.6(54) to 0.11(11) victory.
Phoebe Dixon slammed home three goals and Olivia Edwards two for the winners, while midfielder Paisley Stock and skipper Alex Bryan were best on ground for Healesville; who kicked 11 points without putting one through the big sticks.
In other games this week, Mt Evelyn maintained its undefeated start to the season with a 6.12(48) to 0.1(1) success over second-placed Upwey-Tecoma.
The Rovers shared the load nicely; with Mackenzie Adams, Bridie Burton, Lilly Kelly, Sherice Oliver, Abbey Rabot and Jess Smith all slamming home six pointers.
And Belgrave has notched up its third win for the season with a heart-stopping 2.4(16) to 2.1(13) victory over bottom-placed Woori Yallock.
The Magpies trailed by three points at half time, but goals to Cath Smith and Jess Walker got them home in a thriller.
Charlotte Crabtree and Nat Christodoulou were best for the Pies while Jessica Lee nailed both goals for Woori Yallock.
In Division 2, Emerald continues to make a strong impression with the third-placed Bombers scoring a gutsy 3.5(23) to 2.4(16) win over Seville.
The Bombers trailed at half and three-quarter time but kicked the only goal of the final term to sneak away with the four points.
Steph Thomas, Saige Van Haren and Molly Webb kicked truly for the Bombers while Freya Taffe and Paige Nguyen were important players around the ground.
In other games, Jasmine Enever and Scarlett Henderson kicked three goals each in Warburton Wesburn’s 9.17(71) to 0.0(0) win over Yea, while Wandin scored a comprehensive 7.12(54) to 2.2(14) victory over Officer.
Lauren Sullivan and Danielle Wearne launched two each for the Doggies, while Madeline Caarels and Shelby Crothers grabbed a snag each for Officer.
Ebony Code, Hayley Wood, Paige Madeley and Breana Granger joined Caarels and Crothers as the best players for the Kangaroos.
In Eastern Division 2, Beaconsfield is celebrating its first of the season after a 6.11(47) to 3.3(21) victory over Kilsyth.
The Eagles were six points down at half time but kicked 3.3 to 1.0 to take a strong grip on the match.
Bianca Mirigliani kicked two and Abbey Dibben, Darcy Gibbs, Taylah Griffiths and Jess Peiris one each for the Eagles, who had Sammy Wilko and Bianca Mirigliani in superb touch for four quarters.
