WANGARATTA Rovers' open women's team enjoyed a 65 point victory over Thurgoona Bulldogs while celebrating 40 games for the club's female football program, and Amy Collins' involvement in all of them.

Collins kicked three goals in the first term, while Bianca Mulqueen was outstanding in the first quarter and had an immediate impact in the second.

Emma Gosbell displayed her usual running, team play and long kicking, Jo Maples was solid in defence, with great support from Jacinta Findlay, Kate Burns and Deb Platfuss, and Bron McGorlick kicked a great goal.

Rovers went into half–time six goals up, and in the third term Maples moved to the forward line and Findlay got a chance to run through the middle, while Lily Kozuharoff kicked two quick goals in the third, and Jess Whitehead booted her third goal for the game from a mark and set shot.

Jess Byrne combined with Burns and Celia Piesse to help the Hawks go into the final break with an eight–goal lead.

Deb Platfuss was thrown into the ruck and gave the Rovers first chance at the ball, while Dakota McAliece tried hard all game and Findlay kicked two great goals on the run.

Final score: Wangaratta Rovers 14.7 (91) defeated Thurgoona Bulldogs 4.2 (26).

Awards: Bianca Mulqueen, Amy Collins, Jo Maples, Jess Byrne, Emma Gosbell, Jacinta Findlay.

Goals: Amy Collins 4, Jess Whitehead 3, Jacinta Findlay 2, Lily Kozuharoff 2, Bianca Mulqueen, Bron McGorlick, Celia Piesse.

Rovers' under 14s met a fast–running, accurate Bulldogs outfit which piled on four goals in the first term and five in the second.

Standout play in the challenging first half came from Lily Currie–Fraser's terrific running, chasing and contesting.

In the second half the players showed improvement.

In defence, Sadie Skewes and captain for the day Lucy Kiely teamed together, while defender Lily Gibb and midfielder Erin Collins performed well, and Molly Thomas rose to the challenge of the ruck contest in the final term.

Pippa O'Conner provided plenty of run despite having already played a game of soccer that day.

The Hawks' final quarter was their strongest, outscoring the Bulldogs two points to two goals, with a lovely passage of play involving Sadie Skewes, Lily Gibb and Eliza Harding a highlight.

Keeping the Bulldogs to one goal after half–time was a terrific defensive effort from the team.

Final score: Thurgoona Bulldogs 10.8 (68) defeated Wangaratta Rovers 2.0 (12).

Goals: Eliza Harding.

Awards: Lucy Kiely, Pippa O'Connor, Eliza Harding, Erin Collins.

The under 17s met a much–improved Thurgoona, who adapted more quickly to the heavy conditions.

Ali Jones, Alana McKenna and captain for the day Lili Fan applied pressure early, but it was Sophie Boyle and Clare Collins with their run out of the backline who kept the Hawks in touch in the first half; the two girls gathered more than 35 possessions between them.

Rovers dominated the third quarter; Mack Clark was terrific in the ruck, and mids Trinny Preer, Ruby Bihun and Ali Jones started to win the ball from the centre clearances, while Ella Bradley took strong marks and earned plenty of kicks.

Lily Gibb, playing up from the under 14s, read the play well and had a great quarter on the wing, and Sophie Boyle enjoyed her freedom at centre half forward.

The free–flowing final quarter allowed Thurgoona to score four goals, but the run of Clarke, Bradley, Jones and Gibb around the ground ensured the Rovers had plenty of the play, and with lots of hustle and sheer determination, the forward line finally found Ammy Thompson, who snapped truly.

Final score: Thurgoona Bulldogs 10.6 (66) defeated Wangaratta Rovers 1.3 (9).

Goal: Ammy Thompson.

Awards: Ella Bradley, Lily Gibb, Ruby Bihun, Ash Shallue.