Tigers tune up for finals with convincing victory over Panthers

THOMSON 84 d BELL POST HILL 33 Thomson used its clash with Bell Post Hill to finetune for the finals.

Despite the scoreline, the Panthers never allowed Thomson easy ball through the midcourt. Sarah-Jane Ross won best-on-court honours as she prepares for a tough finals campaign.

The talented young bookends of the Tigers outfit were at their very best again, with Allie Drake making life tough for the Panthers shooters and Emma Witham sinking 36 goals at high percentage.

Goal attack Errin Lang dropped a game-high 48 goals.

Bell Post Hill’s Ruth Swaney was strong and Sarah Kumar and Heidi Uwland followed her lead to give the Panthers some real purpose. The Roos got an early break and then doggedly kept Winchelsea at bay.

Cassidy Nelson maximised her shooting skills in the tough conditions for Anakie, scoring 33 goals to prove the difference. Aimee Burgess was the star of a tight Anakie defence.

Kendall Carracher was a livewire in attack for the Blues and Tahlia Berg was able to provide important mid-court ball.

The Blues fought back to within a goal in a pulsating final stanza, but Anakie held on. Another brilliant performance under the attacking ring from Georgia Duncan allowed Bannockburn to cruise to a 45-goal win over the Giants.

Duncan netted 53 goals at 87 per cent to take out bestplayer honours.

Abbie Avery and Alana Nicol assumed complete control in the mid-court for the Tigers and coach Leigh Potter led from the front with another classy defensive display.

The Giants lacked firepower, but youngster Keira Marsh continues to blossom with the opportunities afforded her. The Eagles blew their opposition away with a brilliant 24-8 first quarter, with beston-court Shannon Pietsch sinking 22 of her 62 goals for the game.

Justine Radford turned back the clock to support Pietsch, allowing Emily Rankin to push a little further up court and produce a dominant display at wing attack.

Molly Neeson returned to give the defence a more familiar look and her height and reach gave the Lions little room to move.

Emily Shanley battled hard in attack for Belmont, while Lorann Elkington could hold her head high after a tireless defensive effort. It was another clinical display from Werribee, after the longawaited conclusion to the player eligibility controversy.

Inverleigh was always on the back foot, but worked into the game.

Elise Lever and Jade Bell stood up in defence for the Hawks, but the dominance of Jacinta Savory in attack and the improving Hilary Sildatke through mid court allowed the Centurions another comfortable victory. The strong Corio defensive unit was at its very best again, but it was a much-improved attacking effort that allowed for the impressive victory over North Geelong.

The courageous Shayna Poto returned early from injury and teamed with Megan Goonan to control the midcourt for the Devils.

Carla Snellen registered 29 goals to give Corio some much-needed potency.

Rai Livesay turned out another superb defensive display for the Magpies, while the efforts of mid-courters Cody Dixon and Shae Rowbottom didn’t allow her work to go unrewarded.