Victoria played WA in the first Division 1 game of the 2011 AFL Women’s National Championships. This game, a rematch of the 2009 Grand Final was expected to be a tough affair and it lived up to all expectations.
Victoria had plenty of the ball in the first quarter dominating the inside 50’s 14 to 1. WA’s back line was under immense pressure but held up very well with Kirby Bentley the cousin of Docker Roger Hayden marshalling the troops and providing a great deal of run out of defence. WA kicked the first goal of the quarter at the 5 minute mark after a Victorian player ran over the mark to give away a very costly 50 metre penalty. This goal was their only score for the quarter. Victoria peppered the goals but were inaccurate not registering their first major until the 15 minute mark. Victoria took an 11 points lead into the first break.
Conditions in the 2nd quarter were difficult with the heavens opening up. WA started to go inside 50 more often but weren’t able to capitalise with Victorian defender Diana Haines strong across half back. Haines intercepted a number of WA entries and provided Victoria with great rebound. Spectators witnessed some very smart play from Amy Catterall when she toe poked the ball 15 metres to a team mate who drove the ball long into the forward 50. The game started to open up with Victoria taking 35 uncontested marks to WA’s 18. Victoria kicked 1.1 for the quarter while WA could only manage a point. Victoria led by 17 points at the main break.
Victoria extended their lead in the 3rd quarter kicking 3 goals to 1. Victorian key position player Aasta O’Connor was well tackled by Rikki Ryder cousin of Essendon player Patrick and took the resultant kick from directly in front as another 50 metre penalty was awarded after a Victorian player ran through the mark gifting the goal to WA. Victoria lead the inside 50’s 7 to 2 and started to gain the ascendancy. Victoria led by 32 points at 3 quarter time.
The last quarter was an arm wrestle with both teams kicking 2 goals each. Victoria again found space taking 9 more uncontested marks. Melissa Douglas sister of Adelaide Crow Richard took a contender for mark of the year with WA player Kirby Bentley also taking a very strong grab just on the siren. Victoria ran out 32 point winners.
This was a very hard fought match with both team’s keens to start the championships strongly. Victoria found space and ran hard using the ball very well at times. WA also plenty and will be encouraged by their first up effort. It will sure be a cracker of a game if these teams meet in Saturday’s Grand Final.
VIC: 2.5 3.6 6.9 8.10 (58)
WA: 1.0 1.1 2.1 4.2 (26)
Goal Kickers VIC: S. Cross 2, M. Hutchins , A. Catterall , L. Wotton , S. McFerran , A. Guest , N. Wood Goal Kickers WA: R. Lugg , S. Matcham , R. Ryder , S. Walding
Best Players VIC: K. Donnellan, K. Loynes, A. Catterall, M. Hickey, S. Chiocci, D. Haines
Best Players WA: K. Bentley, S. Matcham, R. Lugg, D. Hooker, M. Caulfield
Last Modified on 07/06/2011 20:11