GIRLS INTERLEAGUE WRAP UP

By Matt Fotia

It wasn’t all about the boys in the recently completed Worksafe Metro Junior Championships, with the Eastern Region Girls having two sides compete in the Under 15 Girls competition, with the girls winning three games between them.

The ERGFL’s first side took on the Northern Football League in their carnival opener and led all game, finishing up 18 point victors, 5.9(39) to 3.3(21). Alysia Pisano from the Rowville Knights kicked four majors to help set up the win, whilst Mount Evelyn’s Gabrielle Woods was named best on ground.

Meanwhile the second side played out an absolute classic with the Yarra Junior Football Leagues second team, going down by just four points in the end, 6.4(40) to 6.8(44). The girls almost stole victory in the last quarter despite trailing by 18 points at the first change.

They chipped away at Yarra’s lead kicking four goals to one in the second half but couldn’t land the killer blow. Neve Coghlan kicked two goals, whilst Emerald’s Abigail Rabot was one of four other goal kickers. Mount Evelyn duo Caitlin Hoskin and Amelie Moore were the best two ERGFL players on the field.

The first side took on South Metro in their second encounter and despite leading at half time, went down by 18 points, 3.5(23) to 5.11(41). Disappointingly the girls were held goalless in the second half.

Pisano popped up once again with two goals, whilst Ava Campbell kicked the other ERGFL major, with Laura Stone, Lily Hart and Grace Walsh the best players.

In the other round two ERGFL game, the second side was pitted against the Essendon District Football League’s first side and battled gamely before ending up 51 points in arrears, the final score 9.10(64) to 2.1(13).

Neve Coghlan and Georgia Stubs kicked the two goals for the ERGFL, whilst Healesville’s Scarlett Potter, Yarra Glen’s Perry Bryon, Mount Evelyn’s Jessica Hoskin and Olinda Ferny Creek’s Charlotte Rose all played impressive matches.

In their final game the ERGFL first side took on the Yarra Junior Football League’s first side and grabbed their second victory off the back of an impressive defensive effort.

The girls grabbed the lead early before shutting out the Yarra JFL in the second and third quarters, winning 6.5(41) to 3.6(24). The side also won three of the four quarters, drawing the other one, in a complete team performance.

Pisano kicked three goals to make it nine goals from the three games, with the aforementioned Woods (Mount Evelyn) also kicking a major. Mia Busch, Jade McCormack and Emma Peak were the ERGFL’s best players.

In their final game the ERGFL second side took on the Essendon District once again, this time the EDFL’s second side their opponents.

EDFL were kept scoreless in the first quarter before they hit the lead at half time. The ERGFL then produced another strong quarter to keep the EDFL scoreless again in the third quarter to lead by six points at the final break.

Essendon had opportunities to hit the front in the last quarter but misfired, handing the ERGFL the win by three points, 3.2(20) to 2.5(17).

Georgia Stubs kicked two goals whilst Elena Tyers kicked the other. Scarlett Potter, Jessica Hoskin and Perry Byron stood up once again to be picked as three of the best players for the side.

Female Talent & Competition Coordinator Jessie Mullholland said the girls should be pretty pleased with their efforts considering the quality of opposition they faced.

“Both sides acquitted themselves beautifully and did really well to get some wins against some really high quality opposition, the second side in particular performed admirably against the Essendon District’s first side,”

“The ERGFL is booming and these girls are a testament to the talent that lies in our competition, I’m proud of them.”