WSL2 - Report by Torben Fink-Jensen

Essendon were up against bottom of the table Monash Uni, who have not yet won a game. However, they had apparently just come back from a National University competition. This meant they had a fair bit of pool time together in recent weeks. We originally were wondering if we were going to play 6 players only until 3 turned up last second to give Monash 9 in total. We had 10 which should have been enough, although no Lara, Claudia or Emmy. Before Essendon could settle in, Monash had shot their first goal. It did take a while for Essendon to find their feet while Monash were relying on a pretty simple game plan - a mix of strong shots from the perimeter and a CF who had an unusual skill set of backhands and lap shots, made just out of reach of the defenders. Essendon weren't able to get more than one goal in front in the first quarter and even then, Monash evened the game up at 4-4 by the end of the quarter.  The pace didn't slow in the 2nd quarter. We got the first two goals before Monash pulled back even, and then went out another 2 goals, to leave us 8-6 up at half time. Kate was giving us some of her usual trademark saves. The third quarter started the right way with Essendon getting the first goal. Phoebe was having a blinder in CF, causing difficulty to all her defenders. Eventually their No.9 got on the wrong side of the majors list and was rolled. This didn't reduce the pressure but Essendon were looking more comfortable at 12-9. We were hoping to pull away in the 4th quarter, but Monash were proving sticky. After shooting first for 13-9, before Monash came back to 13-10 and 13-11. We then witnessed a curious incident of a defender parrying the ball with both hands around the post. Was it a corner or a kickout? No, bizarrely just Keeper's ball.   After a bit more forward and backward and a few more challenges around refereeing, Monash closed up to 13-12. Things were starting to get quite tense especially when Monash had a strong attack and looked on the cusp of shooting a levelling goal when Bene reached out a long arm and just managed to intercept a shot. This allowed Essendon a drive up the pool and finally a 14-12 lead with 45 seconds left...the game was finally looking safe, and that's the way it stayed until the final whistle 

Essendon defeated Monash : 14 - 12   

Goals : Alex 4, Phoebe 3, Mietta 2, Ash 1, Emily 1, Bene 1, Olivia 1, Maria 1

BELOW : WSL2 game night photos courtesy of Torben Fink-Jensen (see more on our FB page)

WSL3 - Report by Lisa Murray-Segal

It was always going to be a tough ask coming up against ladder leaders, Monash who've lost just one game from nine.  At least this week we had Sandra our GK back from Europe and our highest goal scorer Clare back from Canada.  With a total of nine, a bench of two would be adequate.  It was clear from the outset, this team meant business.  Their first goal came quickly, and their second hit the net before we managed our first decent attack, and Sheridan put one away.  They scored again, making it 1-3 at the break.  The pressure mounted in the second and we struggled to keep possession.  Some panic or inaccurate throws gave them easy goals and we couldn't get close enough for some decent shots.  So at halftime we were down 1-6.  Things improved in the third as we tried to focus on manning up and being accountable for a player.  They were faster than us, and we were tiring.  Clare, Sher and Meg switched though CF and LisaAs was solid in CB.  We kept them down to a single goal before LisaMS managed a nice lob to the top corner to snare what would be our final goal for the game.  And so we started the fourth down 2-7.  Heidi, Hannah and Polina continued to swim hard trying to get some momentum on the turnovers and around the forward line and Sandra left the cage on numerous occasions to stop fast breaks and provide an extra attacking player when required.  Not a great scoreline, but the girls never stopped trying.

Essendon were defeated by Monash : 2 - 11  

Goals : Sheridan 1, LisaMS 1

WSL3 (Combo Jnr Team) - Report by Frankie Varghese

This week's game was fun and enjoyable. Although we lost, we played well and improved on our skils. Old Ivanhoe were great sports and we look forward to our next encounter.

Essendon/Monash/NYPD/DVEA were defeated by Old Ivanhoe : 1 - 12  

MSL4 - Report by Marcus Jones

The cold, wet, windy conditions were a perfect night for the Essendon boys to slap on some speedos and play water polo outdoors with reduced ego. Footscray got the better of us last time so we were keen to show them a better performance. It all started with the Silver Fox winning the swim off and driving down to centre forward with purpose and missing his shot. But fear not Go-Go Paul was in goals and stopped the counter attack by simply staring down the opposition and mentally crushing them. Once we got initial shots away we straightened up and found the back of the goals. Haydo passed on words of wisdom each break and Millsy showed us all who the best Millsy is. Welcome to Lav - its great to have you on the team.

Essendon defeated Footscray : 9 - 7  

Goals : Silver Fox (Lee) 3, Ambrose 3, Millsy (Ryan) 2, new recruit Nick 1

Note : ladders have not been updated by WPV this week