WSL2 - Report by Olivia Richards

The match was an exhilarating display of skill and determination, with the narrowest of wins. With 10 players available for the 7pm, the team showed strong spirit throughout the game. Alex was unfortunately kicked out in the 2nd quarter, but the team rallied with notable performances from several key players. Lara was exceptional in goals, making crucial saves and demonstrating sharp reflexes. Bene and Mietta were relentless in their offensive efforts, delivering powerful shots that kept the pressure on the opposition. Defensively, Emily and Ash were rock-solid, providing a formidable barrier and disrupting the opponents’ attacks. Kyrene and Denise contributed significantly by putting constant pressure on the opposing team, creating opportunities for their teammates. A standout moment came when Mietta executed a crucial kick-out, regained possession, and scored a decisive goal, showcasing her game-changing ability. Maria was tireless, working diligently up and down the pool, and effectively maneuvering the ball in the midfield. Emily, meanwhile, excelled in swim-ups, winning every single one and pushing the team forward. In a tense moment, the team faced a kick-out but couldn’t convert it into a goal. Lara made a key save, but an inability to find a pass led to a turnover, which fortunately resulted in a missed goal by the opposition. The score progression was as follows: Q1 3-2, Q2 7-4, Q3 10-5, and Q4 12-11. Lara’s remarkable header save in the final moments was instrumental in keeping the team’s winning dreams alive.

Essendon defeated Richmond : 12 - 11 Goals : Mietta 4, Bene 3, Alex 2, Maria 2, Emmy 1

WSL3 - Report by Lisa Murray-Segal

From our list of 14, it was a challenge this week to see who was still in the country, and who wasn't sick or with broken bones. We had 9 players ready to face a tough StCath's side late on Tuesday night, and were not pleased when they switched our game from the dive pool to outside due to another game's forfeiture. 🥶 LisaAs steped into the cage to cover Sandra's soiree in Europe and we had all 3 of our developing newbies in Caitlin, Hannah and Polina step up to the challenge. We relied on Clare and Heidi for some speed and Meg, Sher and LisaMS for some experience and strong defence. But StCath's had our measure all night. They kept the pressure on, and scored at will. They stung us on the turnovers in particular when we failed to cover, often leaving LisaAs facing 2 unmarked shooters. Meg shot our first goal with a hard angled rocket, but by the end of the first we were down 1-4. We slowed their play in the second, but couldn't score ourselves as their defensive tactics saw us being pushed out to the halfway point, making it 1-6 at halftime. They rallied in the third, and once again put on 4 goals. We did hit the net on one occasion - with a nice break from Polina down the pool to shoot her first goal ever! Now down 2-10. The final quarter was a tighter affair, but we were tired and players continued to slip through our flagging defence... but well done girls, for not giving up the fight. And thankyou to Meg's friend Hannah for stepping up into table duty.

Essendon were defeated by StCath's : 2 - 13 Goals : Meg 1, Polina 1

WSL3 (Combo Jnr Team) - Report by Frankie Varghese

This week's game was a tough but fun one. Monash played a strong game and although they won, our team played some very good attacks and scored a few great goals. Shanessa scored 2 amazing goals and Sophie got us our third.   It was great to continue playing with the newer members on our team, as well as the older ones, and we’re looking forward for what the rest of the season has to offer.

Essendon/Monash/NYPD/DVEA were defeated by Monash : 3 - 14 Goals : Shanessa 2, Sophie 1

MSL4 - Report by Hayden Woods

This week the team lined up against Ajax, a team with a similar mix of younger and ahem 'more experienced' players.   Essendon welcomed new player Callum to the team, bringing the number of Mills or Mills-adjacent team members to a full 3rd of the squad.  Ambrose - Bryan has confirmed that the spotters fee has been added onto your regular match payments.  Also making their Essendon debut this evening was Felix's mum on the table (thanks again Felix's mum!).  Essendon exploded out of the blocks, dominating play and scoring 3 unanswered goals in the first quarter, helped along by Felix knocking down a missile of a 5m penalty as well as almost anything else Ajax could throw at him.  Defensive play was tight, and it wasn't until the 2nd that Ajax were able to hit the scoreboard via a breakaway from a midpool cherrypick.  Essendon were continuing to create excellent scoring opportunities via unusually accurate passing but bad luck / oversized goal posts / some quality goalieship (spellcheck assures me that's a real word) at our offensive end kept the scoreline modest.  In what is a tightly held and honoured Essendon tradition several 5m penalties were missed and there were minimal changes to the scoreboard through the rest of the game.  The final scoreline of 5-3 wasn't a reflection of a game that was generally well controlled by Essendon at both ends of the pool.  Next week's game promises to be a humdinger against the reigning SL4 and skinfold test champions the Geelong Marlins.

Essendon defeated Ajax : 5 - 3 Goals : Oscar 2, Ryan Mills 2, Ambrose Mills 1

12&U Mixed - Report by David Sage

Two minutes into the first quarter saw some great passing and tackling between both teams with a tight start to the match with Richmond getting the first goal before we drew a foul close to our goal in the 3rd minute which was converted to draw level. This was followed by some end to end play and good saves at both ends before Richmond nudged ahead just before the first break with a 1-2 lead. Richmond had 3 long passes and a strike on goal in the first minute of the 2nd quarter which took the score to 1-3, with the score blowing out to 1-5 mid way through the 2nd quarter. After some good attacking play we drew a penalty and scored, only to see Richmond rush to the other end and put the score back out to 2-6 at the major break. Richmond had a strong defensive line which we found difficult to break down and when the ball was turned over Richmond countered quickly with some long passes, which resulted in some strong tussles in the middle of the pool and our players doing their best with a couple of great intercepts, with the score out to 3-10 at the end of the third. The final quarter saw more mid pool tackles and some strong contests in the middle but it was the Richond longer passing game that made the difference. The score quickly went out to 3-11 before we regained control with a nicce intercept and a great bounce shot inot the net making it 4-11. It was end to end again for the rest of the match with Richmond using the long lobs to get over our defensive players and to stretch their lead to 4-13. The last two minutes of the game saw some defiant efforts by our players at both ends of the pool to stifle the Richmond attack, which kept the score stationary until the final siren.

Essendon/Footscray were defeated by Richmond : 4 - 13  Goals : TBC

14&U Girls - Bronze Medal Game - Report by David Sage

The first minute of the game saw DVE/Monash with the first attaching shot which was saved and then we countered, shot and missed. By the end of the second minute both teams had had a raid on the others goal and a further counter attack from DVE/Monash was diffused by by our girls. Blink and you’d miss it. At the end of the 3rd minute there was a long lob by DVE/Monash, a break and shot on target which took it to 1-0 after 3 minutes. After some great tussles in the middle we got a great bounce shot low into the goal to make the score 1-1 at the end of the 1st quarter. Off to a great start! Less than 2 minutes into the 2nd quarter saw some great saves by our goalie, to keep the score at 1-1 but with one way traffic for a couple of minutes the score pushed out to 1-3 and then with a couple of long range sprints and accurate shots from DVE/Monash's # 11 the score blew out to 1-5 at the major break. We got off to a strong start in the third after drawing a couple of fouls and then with some sharp passing our girls had the ball in the back of the net within the first minute of play. DVE/Monash made some attacking raids which were repelled by our keeper with 3 great saves to keep the score down to 2-5. But after some mid pool tussles and crisp passing from the opposition players with an accurate shot, the score stretched to 2-6. The remaining 2mins of play saw DVE/Monash push out to a 2-8 lead with sharp accurate passing, a couple of individual breaks, and good supporting swims. The final quarter saw the girls contesting to the end, even though the scoreline had pushed out to 2-10. With only seconds to go they got a turnover and snatched a last ditched goal just before the final siren to make it 3-10.

With Spring in the air the Winter season does end.

Essendon/Footscray/Northcote were defeated by DVEA/Monash : 3 - 10   Goals : TBC