James Murphy
CASTERTON SANDFORD 17.11 (113) d MILLICENT 0.0 (0)
CASTERTON Sandford has continued its run of good form and claimed a third consecutive win on its home deck last Friday.
The Round 8 clash at Island Park had the Cats up against Millicent in a one-sided battle.
The Saints have struggled against most teams this season, while the Cats have just one loss on their 2023 record – to Mundulla in Round 4.
Chloe Foster played an impressive game and her five goals and best-on-ground performance left Millicent defenders without an answer.
By the first change the margin was 26 points, before the Victorian hosts added another three goals in the second term.
Entering half time the Saints were scoreless and trailed by 47.
The second half followed the same trend and the Cats kept the scoreboard pressure on with four third-quarter goals.
They put in their biggest haul in the final stanza and six majors pushed the home team out to a staggering 113-0 victory.
Gabrielle Sullivan, Hinemoa Biddle-Maitland and Amelia Thomas also featured highly in the best players, while Makayla Hutchins and Libby Altorfer had their moments in the spotlight.
The pair converted four and three goals respectively.
Despite the standouts, the Cats’ total of eight goal scorers bodes well heading into the pointy end of the season.
They sit in second place on the ladder after eight rounds, with just one home-and-away game remaining.
For Millicent finals is well off the table.
The Saints commended Cassie Levison for her efforts on Friday night, which were recognised as best on ground.
She was joined by Stephanie Gilbert, Megan Tilley and Kalli Brown among the top performers.
NORTH GAMIER 12.10 (82) d KONGORONG 0.2 (0)
After knocking over an undefeated Mundulla the week before, North Gambier kept the momentum rolling with an 80-point win over Kongorong on Friday night.
The two teams opened proceedings at Vansittart Park and after an even start, the Tigers broke away in the second term.
The difference was seven points at the first change, but North kicked into gear with four unanswered goals to establish a healthy half-time lead.
Kongorong managed a behind during that time – its first of two for the night – with the margin 35 points at the main break.
The goals kept coming in the second half, with three in the third and four in the fourth, with the Hawks adding one behind during that time.
Alice Tentye had a night out and her usual finesse around the contest rewarded her with four goals and the best-on-ground honours for the Tigers.
Paris Ackland and Luca Roulstone were also solid, while Laura Chester featured in the best and on the goalkicker list with two majors.
Geordan Thomas also bagged two, while Eadie Mustart and Libby Howe-Morgan both found the big sticks and also rounded out the best players.
Kongorong looked to the reliable Evie Sealey as best on the night, with Sheree Ailey, Sheba Miller and Taylor Cozzi also in good form.
MUNDULLA 24.14 (158) d KALANGADOO 0.0 (0)
Mundulla was unmatched in Friday’s Round 8 clash with Kalangadoo at Vansittart Park.
The northern Tigers were never in doubt and a mammoth 63-point opening term set the scene for the night.
They added three more goals to their 10 in the second and at half time the margin was out to an unassailable 86 points.
Erin Horsnell established herself as a prominent force through the middle of the ground, with her efforts eventually earning her the best-on-ground honours.
Zoe Hawker was also solid through the centre, while Kaylene Rowett was rock solid in defence.
By three-quarter time the margin was out to 131, with the Magpies yet to post a score.
Melody Maddern was prolific in front of goals and she finished the night with seven majors.
Natalie Twigden also had her accuracy dialled in, with five for the match.
Another four goals in the final term wrapped up the solid win, with the final score at 158-0.
Casey McElroy, Sammy Hunt and Renae Feder rounded out Mundulla’s best players.
For Kalangadoo Emily Cooney was a diamond in the rough with a best-on-ground performance.
PENOLA 5.9 (39) d KYBYBOLITE 5.4 (34)
It was undoubtedly the match of the Limestone Coast women’s football round when Penola and Kybybolite went head-to-head at Island Park on Friday night.
They were pushed to the line but at the final siren the Eagles prevailed by five points to secure a six-point buffer in fourth place.
Penola was out of the gate strongly and put two goals on the board to be well placed at the first change.
Another two in the second term kept the Eagles in front, but Kyby also found the big sticks twice to keep the margin at 13 heading into the main break.
Kyby kept the pressure on in the third quarter with another two goals.
Penola managed one of its own to hold a 10-point advantage, but the intensity started to build leading into the final stanza.
In the fourth quarter Kyby scored 1.2, but with three behinds to the Eagles they held their rival at bay to claim valuable points in the penultimate minor round.
Goals were shared around with Simone MacDonald and Jasmine Ryan both scoring two each for Penola, while Lyndall Feast also converted.
Ryan was named best on ground for her impressive efforts around the contest, while Heidi Berkin, Caroline McGrath, Ellise Berkin and Riley Mitchell were also standouts.
For Kybybolite it was Erin Ewer who excelled, while Genevieve Blake did the bulk of the scoring with four majors and Taylor Ryan had one.
Heading into the final minor round Penola sits six points clear of Kybybolite, with the teams sitting in fourth and fifth respectively.
