A LARGE crowd gathered at McDonald Park on Friday night to witness the significant improvement of players and sides alike in Round 3 of the Limestone Coast Women’s Football League competition.
It was a night for one-sided games, with the closest margin being 15 points in the final match of the night.
Heading into Round 4, Millicent and Kybybolite look to be the pinnacle of the competition, both yet to drop a game.
Glencoe easily accounted for North Gambier in the opening match, followed by a dominant performance from South Gambier against West Gambier.
East Gambier was no match for Kybybolite, despite the home-ground advantage, while Millicent dominated its clash against Kalangadoo.
South Gambier 3.9 (27) d West Gambier 0.0 (0)
IT was a night of celebration for the reigning premiers South Gambier who claimed a comfortable victory over West Gambier under the guidance of coach Nicolle Orr.
Orr made history on Friday night, being the first female to coach in the women’s football league due to the absence of Chris Edmonds.
She led her side to a solid win, but as the Demons enter further into the season she will look for improvement when it comes to finishing off in front of goal.
The inaugural champions kicked three majors for the game, but booted a disappointing nine minor scores.
South had control of the match from the outset, but just two points separated it from the Roos in the opening quarter.
A more dominant second term from the Demons extended the margin out to 18 points by the long break.
Imogen Walker was working hard around the ground to give her side first use of the ball.
However, South again struggled to kick straight when it counted, adding another three minor scores to its team total.
West stepped up its intensity in its back line coming into the final term.
The Roos had determination to limit the damage and they did just that.
The Demons had limited scoring opportunities in the last quarter, kicking just one major.
Kendell Saffin was again a target up forward.
However, she was limited to one goal.
Her team mates Aimee Beck and Tess Clark also chipped in with a major each.
Walker was awarded best on ground for the winning side.
She was well supported by Claudia Edmonds, Clark, Chelsea Frost, Beck and Katelyn Lapatha.
For West it was Mikaylah Hamson, Brittney Allen, Caitlin Morris, Emma Lynch, Amanda Banks and Lesley Macdonald who stood up against tough competition.
Kybybolite 5.8 (38) d East Gambier 1.2 (8)
A FOURTH quarter surge against hosts East Gambier handed Kybybolite its third straight win of the women’s football season.
Early in the contest the Bulldogs took control.
A first-quarter goal to Neave Delaney hoped to give East the momentum it needed heading into the remainder of the game.
However, Kybybolite soon stepped up and a tight contest followed.
Both sides increased their tackling pressure and limited scoring opportunities was the result.
East was able to break out of the contest and into the forward 50 for a minor score on one occasion in both the second and third quarter.
The inability to kick truly arguably cost the Bulldogs the premiership points in the end.
East ran out of legs in the final stanza, which allowed Kybybolite take control.
The visitors piled on an impressive 5.8, while holding East scoreless to seal the match.
Georgia Irvine led the scoring with two goals, while Melanie Hutchesson, Danielle Moore and Mardi Riley all chipped in with one apiece.
Best for Kybybolite was Annabel Mould.
However, Dellie Brown, Moore, Kirsty Dickenson, Katie Brodie and Irvine’s never say die attitude contributed to the last-quarter come-back.
East’s Tyne Bosko, Nicola Collins, Kriara Beck, Cindy Gollan, Taysha James and Delaney all stood up to the plate against the new side to the competition, despite the loss.
Glencoe 4.10 (34) d North Gambier 0.0 (0)
A SOLID start to the Glencoe All Stars gave North Gambier little hope of claiming its first win of the women’s football season.
The All Stars were quick out of the gate, adding 2.2 to the scoreboard in the opening term.
Glencoe’s defensive pressure made life difficult for the Tigers’ attack.
However, inaccuracy in front of goal meant for a more even second quarter.
The All Stars still had most of the ball, but failed to finish off, adding seven points to their total.
The Tigers were not out of the game, the difference being just 21 points at the long break.
However, a controlled third term from Glencoe saw the deficit only increase.
The All Stars made the most of its limited chances in front of goal and finished the quarter with 1.1 to hold a 28-point lead heading into the final term.
North stepped its defensive pressure up in the fourth, but Glencoe was able to sneak yet another goal to add to a rather one-sided affair.
The All Stars claimed the match by a comfortable 34 points by the final siren.
Simone Macdonald was impressive in front of goal, kicking two majors for the game, while Claire Nolte and Christina Patzel managed one apiece.
Holly Smith was the standout for Glencoe over the four quarters.
However, Kate Tomkins, Dakota Trotter, Nolte and Shianne Morgan all chipped in.
For North Sarah Pilven, Samantha Scott, Lorrelle Walker, Ella Firth, Brianna McKinnon and Kara Zeven’s efforts were noticed.
Millicent 3.4 (22) d Kalangadoo 1.1 (7)
MILLICENT continues to impress, claiming its third straight victory in the women’s football competition, this time over Kalangadoo.
The Magpies have won just one game from three in the opening few rounds and knew they would be up against it when tackling a tough Saints outfit in the final game of the night.
Millicent was able to convert in the opening quarter to shift the momentum into its favour early.
The Saints continued their dominance into the second term, adding a further two majors to the scoreboard and as a result holding a 19-point advantage at the long break.
Kalangadoo bounced back into the contest in the third quarter and was able to deliver the ball into its forward 50.
However, unable to fully capitalise, a minor score was all the Magpies could manage.
Their defence did well to keep Millicent from running away with the game.
But due to the solid first half from the Saints, they still held a comfortable lead.
The trend continued into the fourth quarter.
Kalangadoo was doing its best to stop Millicent from breaking open the contest.
But the Saints’ mid field was too strong and while they struggled to capitalise on their opportunities in the forward line, they added three minor scored to put the game beyond doubt.
Millicent finished with a 15-point victory.
Olivia Fuller was again at her best around the ground, kicking two of the Saints’ three majors.
Grace Carnellor chipped in with the third goal.
Best for the winning side was Kelsie Wilkinson, followed by Jami Walker, Fuller, Carly, Knaggs, Carnellor and Annaleise Canala.
Brianna Devine was Kalangadoo’s only goal scorer for the match, while the Magpies’ stand out players were Sharna Devereux, Emmason Ilsley, Alyssa Boylan, Kylie Schultz, Chloe Pratt and Jemima Burt.
Meanwhile, the eight sides will make their way to Kybybolite on Sunday.
South Gambier will tackle Millicent in the opening game of the day, before North Gambier and East Gambier going head-to-head.
Glencoe All Stars will test their luck against Kalangadoo and hosts Kybybolite will battle with West Gambier.
