WANGARATTA Rovers female footballers returned to the WJ Findlay Oval on Sunday to take on Wodonga Raiders - the first time all three of the club's grades had played at the ground since round four.

The open women's clash was always going to be a tough one against the undefeated ladder leaders, and Raiders owned the first quarter with three goals and one behind and Rovers unable to get on the scoreboard.

In the second quarter, each side managed to get a point each, but no other score.

The competition was physical, with plenty of players going all-in to the contest, and Rovers defenders continually shut down the ball and were able to get it out of the Raiders' forward line.

After half time, Megan Quick kicked Rovers' first and only goal.

Despite the physical game, the Rovers women continued to fight, and kept the Raiders to just 13 points for the remainder of the match, laying tackles and taking some great marks under pressure.

Ultimately, though, the Raiders' game play around the field proved too good for the Rovers, who went down by 27 points.

Best: Mikaela Trethowan, Ally Ballard, Bron McGorlick, Emma Gosbell, Kylie Barton and Kathryn Burns.

Goal: Megan Quick.

Final score: Wangaratta Rovers 1.07 (07) lost to Wodonga Raiders 5.4 (34).

With a number of girls still unavailable due to the school holidays, the under 17s were fortunate to have four under 14s - Clare Collins, Mia Johnston, Lucy Kiely and Sophia Pasquali - step up to help in the higher grade again this week.

A four goal opening term to Wodonga Raiders put them in a strong position heading into the second quarter, but to Rovers' credit the visitors only kicked six more goals for the match.

In a best on ground performance, Eva Allen was superb in the back line, and was well supported by backline teammates Teagan Fordham, Bree Keys and Taniqua Melbourne.

Sophia Pasquali got the home team onto the scoreboard and the Hawks were unlucky to not get another goal or two as the match progressed.

There were some great passages of play, as well as some brilliant, hard running in pairs in a strong performance overall by the group, which has developed well over the course of the year.

Best: Emily Cooper, Eva Allen, Ashley Shallue, Milli Allen, Bree Keys, Taniqua Melbourne, Sarah Wernert.

Final score: Wangaratta Rovers 0.01 (01) lost to Wodonga Raiders 10.13 (73).

The Rovers' under 14s faced a strong Raiders outfit; with a few girls returning from holidays, the home team had 17 players taking the field, and Raiders loaned an 18th player each quarter.

The focus this week at training was contested work, particularly bumps to help win ground balls and marking contests, and the girls showed terrific endeavour with both of these skills.

Debutante Sophia Pasquali showed plenty of speed, a cool head under pressure and the ability to break free from congestion to help propel the ball forward.

She was assisted by Mia Johnston, Jayla Keys and Clare Collins in the midfield, who all covered large amounts of the ground to assist teammates and try to win the contested ball.

The girls showed plenty of enthusiasm, determination and fighting spirit right until the final siren, with heaps of positives to come out of the match in terms of development and improvement.

Awards: Sophia Pasquali, Lucy Kiely, Bianca Davies, Jasmine Fordham.

Final score: Wangaratta Rovers 0.0 (00) lost to Wodonga Raiders 18.14 (122).