Melbourne Uni has blown the VWFL Premier Division season wide open after an upset win over the Darebin Falcons on Sunday.
Fresh from an unexpected Round 1 loss at the hands of the Eastern Devils, the Mugars responded in style, surviving an enthralling battle with the Falcons to prevail 7.8 (50) to 5.1 (31).
Darebin’s star-studded line-up proved no match for Uni in an absorbing second half that saw the Falcons register just one behind after the main break.
Mugars coach Andrew Jago would have been impressed by the contribution from every one of his chargers on Sunday but it was his leaders that stood tall when it mattered.
Karly Tapner shone in a four-quarter effort while joint captain Emma Kearney’s clearance work was instrumental.
Catherine O’Bryan continued her stellar start to the season and the pace and skills of Kirby Bently, Nicole Hildebrand and Kaitlyn Ashmore were pivotal in Uni notching their first win of the year.
The Falcons appeared up for the fight in the first half with Katie Brennan on fire with four goals and Darcy Vescio providing plenty of drive from the midfield.
But when the supply dried up, so did the reigning premier’s scoreboard pressure, leaving the Mugars to celebrate an important early season triumph.
St Kilda falls to Diamond Creek
Diamond Creek is on the board in season 2015 after holding off St Kilda Sharks on Saturday.
Despite trailing up by 17-points at the first change, the Creekers rallied to prevail by 14 points, 10.1 (71) to the Sharks 9.3 (57)
Brittany Grech and Rebekah Sibenaler bagged three crucial goals each in the narrow victory, while best on ground honours went to ferocious on-baller Amelia Bardon.
Ruckman Tiarna Ernst was another standout, dominating the hit-outs and providing a target while resting forward.
In her 100th game, Anna Saxton, as she has in so many of her century of games, was crucial in the clinches and was deservedly named in her side’s best.
Despite falling to their first loss of the season, the signs weren’t all bad for the Sharks with spearhead Moana Hope adding five goals to her season tally in an engrossing battle with Lauren Morecroft.
Another Shark to shine was youngster Jenna Bruton, whose pace, dare and long kicking has her quickly building a reputation in the premier division.
Georgia Harris was also a strong contributor, bagging two goals.
St Albans no match for Eastern Devils
The Eastern Devils remain the only undefeated team this season after overpowering St Albans on Saturday.
The Devils didn’t have it all their own way but proved too strong in the end to win by 67 points.
Key forward Sarah Perkins kicked four goals, to go with her bag of six last week, to lead the Devils to comfortable victory.
Robyn Foster and hard nut Jess Trend were at their best as the Devils' superior depth shone through.
Danni Teasdale and captain Bree White led the resistance for the Spurs, who could hang their hat on keeping their opponent goalless in a pressure-packed second term.
Unfortunately it doesn’t get any easier for the Spurs, with reigning premiers Darebin waiting in Round 3 fresh from suffering an unlikely early season loss.
Picture courtesy of Russell Canham
Last Modified on 20/04/2015 12:50