Northern Knights two from two

Neve O'Connor and Alyssa Bannan celebrate a goal on Sunday. Picture Shawn Smits.

Northern Knights made it two from two in the TAC Cup girls competition with a thumping win against the Calder Cannons on Sunday afternoon.

Having claimed a win against Dandenong Stingrays in the opening round with a strong final quarter, the Knights led from start to finish against the Cannons, winning 7.8 (50)-0.2 (2).

Knights coach Marcus Abney-Hastings said the most pleasing thing from the opening two rounds wasn’t necessarily the results, but the way they were playing.

He said they were surprised by the final margin against the Cannons.

“The hard work is paying off,” he said.

“The most pleasing thing is the performances of the girls and the way they have come together as a team.

“The results are a bonus. The best thing about being two and zip is the style the girls have tried to play.

“The girls really showed they knew the structure and won a lot of 50-50 balls.”

Abney-Hastings said a number of players across the board had impressed in the opening two rounds.

Skipper Madeline Brancatisano has led from the front and been really good in and under and was named best on ground on Sunday. Neve O’Connor, another in the leadership group, has been strong in the ruck.

Abney-Hastings said 16-year-olds like Alyssa Bannan, Ashleigh Snow and Ciara Fitzgerald were all playing key roles as well.

The Knights, who sit on top of the ladder, this week face Sandringham Dragons, who have a win and loss so far.

“It’ll be another challenge and the girls will have to be at their best.

“Hopefully we can back up the good form from the last few weeks.”

The loss leaves last year’s premiers, the Cannons without a win from its two matches. Skipper Madison Prespakis was named the Cannons best for a second straight week.