SENIOR SUMMER STATE LEAGUE - ROUND 7

WSL2  (Editor)

A scheduled bye for our WSL2 squad this week, but they'll be back in action next week up against Monash Uni.

WSL3  Report by Lisa Murray-Segal

This week we faced the undefeated ladder leaders - StCath's.  Always a tough physical side, and we were without Sheridan and Sally.  We welcomed Josie back into the side with the 2s having a bye this week, to bolster the squad.  We made a pretty good start, stopping their attacks with high pressure defence then turning the tables and having a red-hot go in offence.  Eventually StCath's scored the first goal mid quarter, and another late in the piece.  We continued to have quality attacks but made the goal keeper's job too easy.  Down 0-2, we started the second term determined to make the most of our opportunities.  Josie drew an exclusion out on the wing, and a quick one-two pass to LisaMS and back to Josie ended with a nice angled goal.  But StCath's continued to add to their tally which saw us 1-4 at half time.  We were starting to tire, but managed to match them in the third quarter at least in effort.  Some great work at centre forward by Maddy and Hannah gave us a focal point, but we were a bit stagnant on driving at times or creating space once the ball went in.  They had started fronting our centre forward, which further shut down our efforts.  At three quarter time we were 1-6 down.  The last quarter was similar, though the girls never stopped having a go.  Kerrie was relentless in defence, Amber was swimming hard creating space in attack, LisaAs and Georgia applied pressure when we needed it and Sandra stopped some rockets coming into the net.  The final scoreline didn't reflect the closeness of the game.  Our biggest handicap was failing to shoot at the corners, with most of our shots aimed at the keeper.  More to work on at training next week...

Essendon were defeated by St Catherine's : 1 - 9

Goals : Josie 1

MSL4  Report by Izaak Day

A tough result against ladder leaders Ajax, going down 6–11, but there were plenty of positives to take away. The lads showed real fight throughout the game and had a strong 3rd quarter, bringing great energy and determination when we needed it most. The scoreboard wasn’t in our favour this time, but there’s plenty to build on!

Essendon were defeated by Ajax : 6 - 11

Goals : TBC

OSL5  Report by Tom Donohoe

The first quarter MC Chiefs jumped Essendon, who were a bit too unstructured and caught on the break a few times, the score 0-4. The second quarter Essendon responded better, goals to Bryan and Tom had us at 2-6 at the main break.The third quarter saw Essendon get well on top of the Chiefs. A swim up from Lewy who went 4/4 from the game swam on to throw goal of the day. A couple of goals to Tom and then a classy 5 meter from Ruckus had Essendon right in it with a score of 6-7 at the end of the third. As much as Essendon looked like they were going to swim over the top of them, the Chiefs rallied a bit better and Essendon could not find the net. Ruckus having gone into goals was stitched up with two 5 meters at the end of the game but he heroically saved both of them. Despite the narrow loss, Essendon showed enormous fight, discipline, and second‑half dominance. The performance highlighted improved structure, resilience, and the ability to respond under pressure — all positives heading into next week.

Essendon were defeated by the MC Chiefs : 6 - 9

Goals : Tom 3, Bryan 1, Lewis 1, Marcus 1

JUNIOR WINTER COMPETITION - ROUND 5

12&U Mixed  (No report)

Northcote/Essendon were defeated by Melbourne Collegians : 3 - 11

Goals : TBC

14&U Girls  (No report)

Northcote/Essendon defeated Monash : 4 - 3

Goals : TBC

14&U Boys  Report by Sheridan Mom

The squad faced a tough, highstakes encounter this week against MC in what served as an intense, direct preview of next week's gold medal match.

MC proved to be a highly formidable opponent, showcasing a very well-drilled structure and superior physical strength across the pool. Their clinical counter-attack transition repeatedly put our defense under heavy pressure, punishing any minor execution errors.

Following the match, Coach Mitch delivered a clear directive to the team. To close the gap, we must elevate our overall intensity. Specifically, Mitch has challenged every player to bring more urgency to our swimming and display a stronger, relentless will to win the ball in 50/50 situations.

DVE/Essendon were defeated by Melbourne Collegians : 3 - 15

Goals : Vishnu 1, Dean 1, Charles 1

16&U Girls  Report by Amber Mink

We had nine girls at the pool this week for an 8:40am start against Northcote. Although the weather was cold, we quickly warmed up in the heated pool and got straight into the game.

We really wanted to win this game, as a victory would secure our spot in finals and give us the chance to play one last game for the season. We started strongly, finishing the first quarter with a 1–0 lead thanks to Arly. At quarter time, we spoke about improving our decision-making and making sure we were taking our opportunities. Our defence slipped a little in the second quarter, allowing Northcote to score three goals and take a 1–3 lead into half time. We had a big chat at the break and went back into the pool fired up and ready to fight our way back into the game. Although Northcote managed to score another goal in the third quarter, Audrey responded with a goal of their own, and Isla scored right on the buzzer to keep us in the game. We headed into the final quarter trailing 3–4. We pressed tightly and worked incredibly hard in the final quarter, determined to find a way back into the game. Audrey managed to level the scoreboard with her seond goal, making it 4–4. It was a scramble in the last minutes, We were unable to add to our tally, but we kept Northcote scoreless too.

So the game finished with a draw, but because we were higher on the ladder, we secured our spot in finals! Every player worked incredibly hard in this game and throughout the entire season, and we are so excited to have one last game to finish off the season.

Essendon/DVE/Marlins drew with Northcote : 4 - 4

Goals : Audrey 2, Arly 1, Isla 1

16&U Boys  Report by Jamie Kirby

Last game of the season against second placed MC Gold. An early start outdoors at MSAC with the mist over the pool looking amazing but the sun glare was super challenging for our boys! A much more competitive outing compared to last weeks game against ladder leaders MC Blue, with some good structure in attack and defence. 

The first quarter showed great signs, super competitive to trail 0-2. Second quarter continued the good work, getting on the scoreboard to trail 2-4 at half time (even with resting key players in the second term). The third quarter continued the excellent efforts, trailing 4-7 at the three quarter time break (including 2 penalties). MC Gold were feeling pressured, rushed, and making uncharacteristic errors. The boys tired in the final quarter, still finishing with a respectable 4-13 scoreline against a much bigger opponent. Isaac from MC with 5 last quarter goals was the only player to get on top!

Next week it's the finals/playoffs... and we will play Richmond in the Bronze medal game. With some key players out, this will test the boys!

Northcote/Essendon/Footscray/DVE/NYP were defeated by MC Gold : 4 - 13

Goals : Lukas 3, Kabir 1