WSL2 - Report by Torben Fink-Jensen

The start of a new season and Essendon fronted up with 11 players, missing Lara, Bene and Claudia. We were playing Richmond who have 3 teams in the WSL2 comp. It is not clear which is their strongest team, but the team Essendon played (Yellow) had some regulars that we were familiar with from last season (when we beat them in the Grand Final). The venue was the Camberwell Grammar Pool, which is a bit smaller than MSAC, and, importantly for photos - much worse lighting 😭. Essendon were looking good out of the box, with a couple of strong plays catching Richmond by surprise, allowing Mietta and Emmy to get on the board. Mietta followed it up with a second from some beautiful byplay with Gen and Maria, and then handed off to Maria for another, before Gen capped off the quarter with her usual shot from nowhere with 2 players on her. Unfortunately, we did let them back in at the back end of the quarter and it ended up 5-3. Essendon then swum hard into Q2 with 2 early goals to Phoebe and Gen, although the game seesawed a little over the next few minutes as Richmond tightened up. Essendon retained their lead with Olivia potting from 7m, and Kyrene shooting across goal for the corner, giving them a 4-goal cushion for a 9-5 lead at halftime. Essendon again started the third quarter strongly and opened up their lead to 12-6, and looked like running away with the game. A bit of sloppiness in defence allowed Richmond to close up at 12-8 before Essendon went back into top gear to get stretch to 14-8 before allowing Richmond a last goal for 14-9. Richmond then turned the tables on Essendon in Q4 and scored two quick goals to close the game up to 14-10. Although they weren't in danger of losing, Essendon did have to play with purpose over the next few minutes to make sure of the game, and managed to slot in 4 goals (3 to Emmy) while letting in only another two. A great start to the season for Essendon!

Essendon defeated Richmond Yellow : 18 - 12  

Goals : Gen 5, Emmy 4, Mietta 4, Olivia 1, Alex 1, Maria 1, Phoebe 1, Kyrene 1

BELOW : WSL2 in action against Richmond Yellow (photos courtesy of Torben Fink-Jensen, see more on our FB page)

WSL3 - Report by Lisa Murray-Segal

Our squad size for this competition is down to 11, and with winter colds and flus doing the rounds we had just 8 girls available this week.  Monash were equally thin on numbers with just 7. So there was some hope we wouldn't need the defib post game.  The first quarter was a scruffy affair.  Both teams lacking in form and good pool positioning.  But there were glimpses of shape and accuracy as we started to set up in attack and work the ball around.  Monash scored twice, but we failed to make our shots count.  The second term we made more of our opportunities.  Hannah scored our first with a quick grab and shoot at centre forward under pressure.  Megan sent a rocket in for our second, but Monash were equally effective scoring twice. So at halftime we were down 2-4.  The third quarter was also a close affair.  Sandra was keeping us in the game with some great deflections in goals. Georgia and LisaMS were solid in defence and LisaAs was the wall at centre back.  Megan and Hannah were switching in and out of centre forward and some quick passing gave Megan another good angle to put one away.  A couple of fast breaks from Monash damaged the scoreline ending the third at 3-6.  The floodgates opened up during the final quarter despite the girls continuing to work hard.  Jane got herself into some great positions and Polina continued to drive forward making space.  We weren't able to capitalise on the last couple of exclusions we'd earned, remaining scoreless whilst Monash racked up another 5.

Essendon were defeated by Monash : 3 - 11  

Goals : Megan 2, Hannah 1

MSL4 

Essendon defeated Footscray : 8 - 0  (FORFEIT)

Report by Josie Simnett-Sage

From a 60-strong group of girls who trialled, two teams of 13 (Blue and White) were chosen to represent Victoria in U15G at the East Coast Challenge (ECC). Essendon’s Josie Simnett-Sage was selected for Team White. 

ECC was held July 12-15 at MSAC and Team White kicked off their first game against Tasmania. The Vic girls played a strong defensive game but sadly lost 18-2 with both goals being scored by Rosie Emptage (Northcote). They then played ACT Gold, playing a great ‘no centre forward setup’ and got many successful drives in. Even with this strategy, White sadly lost 1-11 with our only goal being scored by Kate Parnell (Geelong). 

The next few games against QLD and SA were focused on defence, getting effective drives and setting up our attack. Saturday's mantra was about creating movement to provide safer passing options.

Sunday saw a final against ACT Gold with Team White going down 4-12, despite it being coach Mel's birthday!

To see how the other Victorian teams fared, click here :

BELOW : Josie in action and the White Team photo (courtesy of Water Polo Victoria)