Victorian Amateur Football Association: Hawthorn edges past Ivanhoe into the women’s Division 1 grand final
Ivanhoe faces a sudden death preliminary final after a 15-point loss to Hawthorn in the women’s Division 1 second semi-final at Ivanhoe Park on Saturday.
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Ivanhoe faces a sudden death preliminary final after a 15-point loss to Hawthorn in the women’s Division 1 second semi-final at Ivanhoe Park on Saturday.
The shock defeat ended a 10-game winning streak for the Ivies, who finished the home-and-away season as minor premiers, and they must now reach the grand final the long way against St Bedes/Mentone Tigers at Elsternwick Park on Sunday.
Hawthorn won 6.7 (43) to 4.4 (28) to move directly into the decider.
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The Ivies failed to capitalise on a strong wind advantage in the opening term.
Captain Fiona Tansley calmed early nerves with a set shot goal from 30m out directly in front in the opening minutes but several other forward entries missed the big sticks or were successfully repulsed by the dour Hawks.
The Ivies led by eight points, 1.3 to 0.1, at the first change
It was a similar story for the Hawks in the second quarter, key forward Penny Brown splitting the big sticks after five minutes before Hawthorn edged to a 1.5 to 1.3 lead at the half.
With the wind backing off in the third, Hawks star Laura Castleden inspired her teammates when she snagged a set shot goal from 40m out. Ivies on-ballers Tahlia Day, Sarah Kerr, Kira Duroux and centre Georgia Scarce worked the ball forward at the stoppages and it wasn’t long before the extra forward pressure forced a turnover resulting in Emily Jane Johnson goaling with a thumping kick from the top of the 50m arc.
Five minutes later, with Ivies veteran forward Katie Jones exerting her presence in the packs, Scarce crumbed a loose ball and snapped a goal from 35m to put the Ivies back in front.
But, four minutes later, the Hawks regained the lead after Castleden was awarded a free kick for an over-the-shoulder tackle, goaling the set shot.
A few minutes into time-on, the Hawks got a lucky break when Molly Johnston’s set shot from 25m fell short. The ball was hurried into the pocket where Brown swooped and got boot to ball a split second before the siren sounded.
The ball wobbled through and the goal was paid after a short consultation between goal and field umpire.
The Hawks, ahead by 10 points and full of confidence going into the final quarter, kicked two quick goals before a set shot goal from Duroux late in the term provided some consolation for the Ivies.
Castledon (four goals) was best afield for the Hawks along with Brown (two goals) while on-ballers Day, Scarce and Sarah Kerr were best for Ivanhoe along with midfielder Anita Dolzan.
“It was a tough hard-fought game, Hawthorn were the better team on the day,” Ivies coach Bill Emerson said. “But the Ivies will adjust and prepare for St Bedes. The Ivies know they will be in for a fierce struggle and will give our best efforts.”
Meanwhile, in Division 2 women’s, Old Ivanhoe will also need to battle its way through a cut throat preliminary final after going down to Old Melburnians, 5.9 (39) to 0.1 (1), in the second semi-final at Elsternwick Park.
Emma Volpe, Beth Hopper and Natasha Reeve battled gamely for Old Ivanhoe which will now take on Whitefriars at Bill Lawry Oval on Sunday.
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Ivanhoe suffered a hefty 102-point defeat to Division 1 finals aspirant Oakleigh at Scammell Reserve on Saturday, 19.30 (144) to 6.6 (42).
Mali Jacobs was best-afield after returning from a lengthy overseas trip, while Jack McDonald (one goal) was also among the Hoes’ best players in his first game for three years.
Oakleigh spearhead Aaron Cloke looks to be well on course to win the division’s goalkicking award again, booting 10 goals to take his season tally to 89.
Meanwhile, Old Ivanhoe had the week off with Premier, Premier B and Premier C having a bye.
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