WSL2 - Editor

This week the 2s were due to play Footscray, but got an early call mid afternoon to advise that Footscray couldn't field a team. So it was a night at home for the girls, and a 3 point, 8 goal win as a reward for not lifting a finger!

Essendon defeated Footscray : 8 - 0 (FORFEIT) 

WSL3 - Report by Lisa Murray-Segal

This week was a scheduled BYE for the women, so they took advantage of a night off and went out!  A team dinner at the Railway Hotel where Tuesday night Parma and Schnitty specials are the go! 

A send off/celebration too, for Clare and Isabelle - who both leave us at the end of this competition with a move interstate.  Plenty of water polo stories told over a glass of wine or bubbles.... 🍾🥂

BELOW : WSL3 team dinner at the Railway Hotel, Sth Melb

WSL3 (Combo Jnr Team) - Editor

This week our junior girls came up against StCaths for a 9pm game that was delayed further with matches running overtime. Some confusion post game about the resulting scoreline also added drama delaying the trip home further.

Essendon/Monash/NYPD/DVEA were defeated by StCath's : 0 - 11

MSL4 - Report by Ryan Mills

In an entertaining matchup against a strong Ajax team, Essendon swam away with an 8-3 victory—but not without a few comedic moments along the way. The highlight of the game came when Andy delivered an absolute dime of a pass to Michael on the post, who drew a 5-meter penalty and got Ajax’s best player rolled. It was textbook water polo brilliance... until Lee stepped up to take the shot and kindly handed the ball back to their goalkeeper. Later, history almost repeated itself. Ryan, in true center-forward fashion, spun his defender to perfection and earned another 5-meter penalty. Surely, this time we'd capitalize, right? Wrong. Lee, ever the optimist, decided to try his luck again, and Ajax’s goalkeeper happily obliged with another save. While Lee's penalty shooting skills might still be warming up, the rest of the team was on fire. Meanwhile, Felix put on a masterclass in goals, making save after save to keep Ajax at bay. Jokes aside, it was a strong performance against a quality side, with everyone contributing to a well-deserved win.

Essendon defeated Ajax : 8 - 3   

Goals : Ryan 4, Lee 2, Ambrose 2

**Senior ladders have not been updated by WPV this week**

12&U Mixed - Report by Sheridan Mom

The team travelled to Hawthorn this week for their 2 games.  Some banter prior to the match, spotting newly appointed Northcote Coach, ex- Essendon and Stingers player Maddie Steere, pointing out she was in the wrong colours.  Our combined Essendon/Geelong team arrived with a squad of 12 players this week, with Geelong contributing quite a few new players making their debut. So regular interchanges had to be called throughout both matches.  Both games were tightly contested, and the kids tried hard, driving and creating goals.  The first game saw Xavier score his first goals of the season after having front water and creating space in the forward line.  Amia and Anje also swam well and found themselves in great positions to score.  Dean was solid in defence this week and had a shot in goals.  Each week you can see the confidence growing in the Essendon players, as they get more match experience; and I expect more improvement to come when we hit the pool in a few weeks’ time.

Game 1 : Essendon/Geelong drew with Northcote :  3 - 3 Goals : Xavier 2, Chloe 1

Game 2 : Essendon/Geelong were defeated by Footscray : 5 - 9 Goals : Dylan 4, Chloe 1

14&U Girls - Report by Kate Simnett

The girls were put under pressure early in their first game against Richmond but they worked as a team with some fast swim outs and good goals to keep the score close. It was a great game after having a couple of weeks off.  Their second game against MC was a low scoring battle of defence. Some excellent work in goals kept it to 1-1. The girls had us all on the edge of our seats with some very close shooting. 

Both games were great to watch and a victory is just around the corner for sure!

Game 1 : Essendon/Geelong were defeated by Richmond Yellow :  5 - 7  Goals : TBC

Game 2 : Essendon/Geelong drew with Melbourne Collegians : 1 - 1 Goals : TBC

14&U Boys - Repot by Natalie Meissner  

The boys came up against a strong side this week, in Melbourne Collegians Blue.  Despite only having 7 in the pool, the boys fought hard, but fatigue started to find them during the second half after lots of turn overs from both sides. There were some good plays, passes and a few goals, but in the end they were out matched. 

Essendon/Monash were defeated by Melbourne Collegians Blue : 5 - 17  Goals : TBC

Girls Combined 

Essendon/Monash were defeated by Richmond Tigers : 5 - 19  Goals : TBC

YthBoys 

Essendon/Monash were defeated by Richmond Black : 4 - 12  Goals : TBC