To say round two of the Goulburn Murray Women’s League brought mixed fortunes for the local sides would be a grave understatement.
The weekend kicked off on a tremendous note for the Shepparton contingent, with Shepparton United (1-1) handling business in style under Friday night lights at Deakin Reserve.
Zahra Kelly, Kelsey Makar and Emily Zampaglione contributed two majors each, with skipper Melissa Foster finding a goal as well in a thumping 9.13 (67) to 0.2 (2) win over Barooga (0-2).
United coach Grant Searle certainly liked what he saw.
“Coming up against a new side in Barooga, it was nice to have a win and good for the girls' confidence,” Searle said.
“When you consider Echuca beat us by 100 points or thereabouts last year, to lose by eight points (in round one) is what I would consider a vast improvement.
“We don’t just have one focal point to goal; we pride ourselves on being able to share it around.
“We had a number of contributors across the forward line, but we also had players kicking goals after running down the ground from the backline.”
The good news continued at Tatura (2-0), where the Bulldogs utilised goals from Clarise Gale, Rebecca Laino and Charlie O’Hara to stave off Nagambie (0-2) in a tight one, winning 3.6 (24) to 2.4 (16).
The news was far less favourable for Rumbalara (0-2), which ran into a Murray Bomber buzzsaw when Echuca (2-0) visited Mooroopna Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
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In enemy ranks: Rumbalara’s Emma Daly, filling in from Echuca, gets a handpass away. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 6
Straight onto the boot: Rumbalara's Nhykira Mansfield goes to find a target. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 6
Going long: Rumbalara’s Che Atkinson goes to unleash one. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 6
Getting stuck in: Rumbalara’s Christina Ponting and Echuca’s Holly Hughes contest the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 6
Loose ball: Rumbalara’s Chelsea Hall swoops to claim an uncontested possession. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 6
Moving into space: Rumbalara's Emma Daly, filling in from Echuca, has the chance to run. Photo by Rechelle ZammitLeading from the front, Echuca co-captain Paige Baksh took Rumbalara to task with nine majors as one of six multiple goal-scorers on the day, supplemented by Kate Dixon’s four.
Once a difficult day finally ended for the Rumba girls, Echuca had run out a 22.13 (145) to 1.1 (7) winner.
Nathalia (2-0) completed the round in style by taking care of first-year outfit Mansfield (1-1), but the Purples met some late resistance with the game decided.
Nathalia held the Eagles scoreless for the first three quarters, racing out to a 37-point lead, but Asha Foubister saved face for Mansfield with three final-quarter goals in an eventual 8.5 (53) to 3.0 (18) result.