One round remains in Swisse VFL Women's, but the week one finals' matchups are yet to be decided after Round 17.
The talking point of Round 17 was St Kilda forward Moana Hope coming oh so close to 100 goals for the season, falling just one short after numerous attempts in the final term against Cranbourne.
We take a look at the results, with a focus on VU Western Spurs v Seaford:
The VU Western Spurs are finishing 2016 on a positive note after defeating Seaford by 52 points to record their seventh win.
The Spurs outran and out-positioned the Tigerettes from start to finish, extending their lead at every break to win 12.9 (81) to 4.5 (29), as Callum O’Connor reports.
It didn’t take long for the Spurs to have traffic running their way as Alyssa Mifsud led what was perhaps the Spurs’ midfields most impressive outing yet. Further afield, their forwards pushed hard to make space with Alex Quigley – quickly growing week by week into the role of a key forward - too fast and mobile. She finished with two goals and was a major ball winner in her side’s forward half.
An extraordinary three-bounce running goal from Kylie Nicolaci gave the Spurs a 14-point buffer at the first break but many amongst the home crowd were nervously awaiting a Seaford counter-attack.
In coach Brett Alexander’s first season, Seaford have been known for their tough attack on the ball and direct ball movement but at Henry Turner Reserve it was clear that the longer VFL season has taken its toll on the young side, with half 22 or younger.
Seaford got some of their run and carry back in the second quarter as ruck-rover Kate Gillespie-Jones and Jess Eberle pushed through the Spurs’ wall. However, the Spurs never let their pressure slide and the frustrated Tigerettes couldn’t make clean disposal.
Seaford had their chances late in the quarter but netted three behinds to leave the Spurs with a half time lead of 30 points.
The lead raced further north once play resumed. Ash Gunn drove the Spurs forward and then decided to go all the way herself. Nicolaci’s second goal pushed the margin out to a game-high 41 points and the way back was too far for the Tigerettes.
Seaford key forward Jas Rolland kicked her side’s second on the stroke of three quarter time and when veteran defender Kim Ebb started with two quick goals in the final term, the smallest hope of a Tigerette comeback grew. The home team responded and strong marks to Mifsud and Ainslie Kemp (two) restored their match-winning lead.
The Spurs celebrated one of their best efforts yet, also discovering an unexpected goalsneak in debutant forward Helen Roden, sister of former AFL player David. Roden showed exemplary composure with her goal on the run under pressure in the second quarter and competed hard all day.
The Spurs face Knox in their final clash of the season while Seaford will take on top-two aspirants St Kilda, with the defence faced with curtailing forward Moana hope who need just one more goal for 100 for the season.
In other results:
- As mentioned, Moana Hope finished with a haul of 10 goals for St Kilda, helping her side to a 102-point win over Cranbourne.
- Katie Brennan kicked nine goals as Darebin warmed up for finals with a 27-goal win over Knox
- Melbourne Uni kept Diamond Creek to one goal after quarter time to run away with a 100-point win, Nicole Hilderbrand named best for the Mugars
- Sarah Perkins kicked her 50th goal for the season with two majors for the Eastern Devils, but it was Jaimee Lambert and Sarah D’Arcy with four apiece that were the leading goalkickers in the Devils’ 101-point win over Geelong
CLICK HERE for full results
Photo: Cameron Grimes
Last Modified on 15/08/2016 17:43