One thing becomes immediately obvious looking at the Goulburn Murray Women’s and Youth Girls ladders after the weekend’s action.
The contenders in both divisions have clearly established themselves in a dramatic separation from the rest.
Echuca, Nathalia and Mansfield registered remarkably similar winning scorelines against less fancied opposition.
The Purples (4-0) took on an Anzac Day special last Thursday at home to Rumbalara (0-4), breezing through to a 12.13 (85) to 1.0 (6) win.
Kiara Cooper and Abby Favaro played starring roles in the round’s opener, booting five goals apiece in a thumping result.
Colleen Lewer oversaw a pleasing outing for the Nathalia seniors.
“We had a good dominant win. We’ve got a couple of people starting with us who have done really well,” Lewer said.
“Abby and Kiara kicking five goals each was really good to see.
“We saw some good linkage from the backline and our captain worked well bringing it through the middle.”
The Thursday timeslot came as the result of a scheduling clash involving some Nathalia personnel doubling up on playing commitments, which has proved a frequent obstacle.
“We had to change days because we had some girls playing in the netball on Sunday (against Numurkah), so we’ve had to do a bit of shuffling,” Lewer said.
“Our Youth Girls coaches play seniors, so we’ve had to juggle things when they’re playing in different towns, but we’re working through that.”
The regular Sunday timeslots had two almost mirror images of the Thursday contest, with Mansfield (3-1) overpowering Barooga (1-3) in a big 14.5 (89) to 1.2 (8) victory.
Not to be outdone, the ladder-leading Murray Bombers (4-0) held Tatura (2-2) scoreless in another dominant win, prevailing 12.8 (80) to 0.0 (0).
Shepparton United (2-2) moved to eight points — granted, with a percentage well over 200 — in a more than comfortable 6.8 (44) to 1.0 (6) triumph at Kialla Park Reserve.
The table shows the top four sides boasting percentages north of 210, while the remaining four’s best is 33.83, underscoring the stark disparity of the competition’s first month.
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Clearance kick: Shepparton United’s Charli Guppy. Photo by Holly DanielImage 2 of 10
Going long: Moama’s Kaitlyn Davidson. Photo by Holly DanielImage 3 of 10
Heading out wide: Shepparton United's Jazmin Mathers. Photo by Holly DanielImage 4 of 10
Getting over the ball: Moama’s Bella Kendrick. Photo by Holly DanielImage 5 of 10
Striding into space: Shepparton United’s Leila Creevey. Photo by Holly DanielImage 6 of 10
Brace for impact: Shepparton United’s Chloe D’Elia. Photo by Holly DanielImage 7 of 10
Put the boot through it: Shepparton United’s Brielle Eldredge. Photo by Holly DanielImage 8 of 10
Heavily involved: Shepparton United’s Zara Findlay. Photo by Holly DanielImage 9 of 10
Race is on: Shepparton United’s Mackenzie Pearce. Photo by Holly DanielImage 10 of 10
Aim and fire: Shepparton United’s Emily Zampaglione. Photo by Holly DanielThe story largely followed suit in the Youth Girls, though Nathalia’s fortunes differed greatly in a 5.8 (38) to 0.2 (2) defeat at home to Barooga on Friday night, marking the Hawks’ first win of the year.
“We’ve been lacking a few numbers in the girls,” Lewer said.
“There were some good passages of play, but it’s a fairly young side.”
A handful of Shepparton United fill-ins ensured the Demons’ contest with Moama would proceed as the home side stayed perfect with a 10.7 (67) to 5.8 (38) victory.
Echuca United’s huge 14.6 (90) to 0.1 (1) result at the expense of Shepparton Swans reinforced the gap separating the top two from the rest.
While it’s a different Echuca outfit in the youth division than the seniors, the town is in control of both leagues after a month with Shepparton United figuring to challenge it all the way.