Round 5 of the 2021 Veolia Limestone Coast Women’s Football League took place exclusively under lights last Friday night and many players performed under the stars at Naracoorte and Vansittart Park. The majority of teams found goal kicking difficult with a number of low-scoring games, but Kybybolite relished the glamour of Friday night football by recording its biggest win of the year.
For the first time this season, Kyby not only broke the 100-point barrier, but smashed it after amassing a 154-8 victory over Kongorong. Many individuals impressed, but the brightest star was undoubtably Della Hannaford. The forward target was unstoppable inside 50 kicking 11 goals off her boot in a career-best performance.
Hannaford continued her prolific form after scoring a bag of five majors in her previous game and Kybybolite coach Luke Crossing said he could not ask for more from his number-one target. “Della had an absolute blunder kicking 11 goals and played really good footy,” he said.
“She was on and when you are the girls keep kicking to you, but she also handed off a few footys to the others and was not selfish in any way. “She kicked one out on the full, so could have had an even bigger day, but her goal kicking was outstanding.”
Hannaford’s presence in front of goal inspired Kyby to the huge win with Annabel Mould, Holly Hannaford and Dellie Brown also kicking bags of multiple majors. Kybybolite set the tone by scoring more than half of its 24 goals before the main break and Crossing said the way his team charged from the opening bounce stood out.
“We got ourselves in the right headspace during training and kicked three goals in the first two minutes, so everyone’s confidence was up after that,” he said. “The girls were very happy and played out of their skins in what was absolutely our most complete performance.”
Despite battling sickness and unavailability, Kyby sit well placed at the pointy end of the ladder and Crossing hopes the 148-point victory inspires his team across the second half of the season. “We had built the week before against Mundulla with a really good game, but before that we were not near our best by a country mile,” he said.
“We have had a few girls coming in and out of the side each week with a bit of gastro and big social events, so we are just starting to get our full contingent of players. “Hopefully we are starting to peak at the right time with three games left against some really good competition.”
Stevie Jane Collins was the only goal scorer for Kongorong, while Kate Wright fought hard.
The other game at Naracoorte was a tighter arm wrestle between Casterton Sandford and Mundulla. Despite keeping the Cats scoreless in the first quarter, Mundulla only led by nine points at the main break. However, Mundulla broke free with an impressive second-half effort to register a 31-point victory led by Lauren Tink.
Multiple goals to Kellsie Turner and Natasha Horne also boosted the winners, while Carlie Smith fronted the Victorians’ charge. South Gambier produced another strong performance to maintain its faultless campaign, but received a stern test from Penola.
Although the Eagles could not find the big sticks in the first half, they restricted the fancied Demons to just one goal during the second and third terms. Despite being briefly held back, South showcased its depth with six individual goal scorers in the 27-point win.
Chelsea Frost and Tess Andrews were the leading Demons, but Noelle Browne and Alexandria Ey ensured Penola restricted the ladder leaders to below 50 points for the first time this year. Millicent notched up a second successive win over North Gambier in the late game at Vansittart Park.
In a gutsy performance, Ella Little’s two goals ensured the Saints marched over the line by just 16 points. Madi Turner also impressed for Millicent, while the leading Tiger was Lorrelle Walker. As the new Under 16’s Junior Girls competition kicks off at Frances tomorrow night, the LCWFL returns to its traditional Sunday morning timeslot with games at Mundulla and Casterton
