A season-long drought has broken for the Officer women’s team after the Kangaroos fought valiantly for a one-point win over Seville in Outer East Division 2 on Saturday.
The Kangas looked a slick outfit in the opening term, with goals to Molly Walters and Hayley Wood opening up a 14-point advantage at quarter time.
But the navy blues bounced back with two goals to Emily Oliver to open up a one-point advantage at the major interval.
The second half was a real grind for both teams as the defensive pressure of both units lifted through the roof.
The Kangaroos scored three points to one in the second half to celebrate a 2.5(17) to 2.4(16) victory; their first taste of victory for the season.
Breana Granger, Taya Rob, Shelby Crothers and Madeline Caarels joined Walters and Wood on Officer’s best players’ list, while Jessica Bennett joined Oliver as the best players in navy blue.
In other games in Division 2, top-team Warburton-Wesburn continued its unbelievably dominant season with a 12.18(90) to 0.0(0) victory over third-placed Emerald.
Amber Brierley and Paige Nguyen tried their hearts out for the Bombers, but four goals to Gabrielle Woods and three each to Scarlett Henderson and Madi Ward saw the ladder-leaders prove too good.
And Yea still holds hopes of playing finals after holding off a late challenge from Thornton-Eildon.
The Tigers led by two straight kicks at three-quarter time, but a three-goal-to-two final term saw the visitors close the gap fast.
The Tigers held on, with Isabella Ayre booting three goals and Madi Albers and Billie Bermingham one each in their 5.3(33) to 4.4(28) success.
Rose Kealy, Mia Heard and Jade Mewburn were best for Thornton-Eildon.
In Division 1, Pakenham has made it two wins on the trot with a thumping 17.8(110) to 2.1(13) victory over Belgrave.
The Lions were particularly damaging in the third quarter, booting 7.2 to 1.0 to bury the Magpies’ chances.
Kasey Exposito had her best game in Lions colours, booting five goals, while Mia Smith-Clark chimed in with four.
Courtney Stephens, Charlotte Jones and Gippsland Power teammates Bonnie Williams and Ash Perkins were also influential for the Lions, while Lauren Sultana and Jess Walker fought things out for Belgrave.
Mt Evelyn continues to be the team to beat, steamrolling third-placed Upwey Tecoma by 72 points at Mt Evelyn.
The Rovers were dynamite in the opening half, ramming home 8.7 to no score on their way to a comprehensive 11.12(78) to 1.0(6) triumph.
Bridie Burton, Summer Edyvane, Jessica Hoskin and Georgia Ploegsma all kicked two each for the Rovers, while Niamh Hunter-Clear, Madison Walsh and Dakota Roach helped limit the damage for Upwey Tecoma in the second half.
And Olinda Ferny Creek has maintained its grip on second place on the ladder after a comfortable victory over bottom-placed Woori Yallock.
Proven goalkicker Olivia Edwards was the star for the Bloods with five goals in the 6.11(47) to 1.1(7) win.
Ash Thomson, Lily Carlin, Charlotte Edwards, Chloe Kanally and Ella McRae joined Edwards as major players for the Bloods, while Emelia Robin, Emily Spicer and Anelise McCracken had a red-hot crack for the Tigers.
Fourth-placed Healesville had the bye.
DIVISION 1
Ladder: Mt Evelyn, Olinda Ferny Creek, Upwey Tecoma, Healesville/ Pakenham, Belgrave, Woori Yallock.
Fixture R12: Pakenham v Woori Yallock, Healesville v Mt Evelyn, Upwey Tecoma v Olinda Ferny Creek. Bye: Belgrave.
DIVISION 2
Ladder: Warburton-Wesburn, Wandin, Emerald, Thornton-Eildon/ Yea, Seville, Officer.
Fixture R12: Seville v Wandin, Officer v Yea, Emerald v Thornton-Eildon. Bye: Warburton-Wesburn.
