U18 Girls Match Report

Round 1

It was a sunny afternoon for the opening of the season against Glen Waverley Rovers, on the wide expanses of Brentwood Reserve. Our regular side had Charli and Kelsie out, but was bolstered by U16s Lauren, Allannah and Claudia with Ruby and Maggie joining us later. Given our low numbers, we played 15 a side. The team were in Bayswater colours, lead by Tyler and Jas F, with Paige finally celebrating her 50th milestone in her 51st game. Jo was left to coach the side solo, after Jordy and Lauren were unavailable.

We won the toss and kicked with the wind, but got off to the worst possible start when a long kick from a Glen Waverley player trickled slowly over the goal line in the opening minute. That initial goal was effectively the Rover's lead at half time, but after a great third quarter, we'd narrowed the margin to two points. Unfortunately, the last quarter was played mostly in the Glen Waverley forward line, and the final score saw the Rovers winning the game 2.11-23 to 2.4-16. Some great signs for our girls who fought to the end despite being outnumbered all day.

Highlights included:

• Rana holding the backline together for large parts of the game
• Some breath-taking runs by Katia down the middle of the ground
• A contest where Tyler was outnumbered 3 or 4 to one, and made second, third and fourth efforts to force a stoppage
• Some great one percenters by Em CT, including a magnificent spoil
• A goal to Paige in her celebration game, as well as a goal to Jas P.

We weren't far away today, and I'm sure the coaches will tighten some things up during the next couple weeks which will help us improve in the coming games (so get to training!).

Thanks to our helpers:

• Trainer: Karren Martin
• Runner: Adam Ternes
• Timekeeper/Scoring: Brooke Cathro
• Goal Umpire: Mick Sharry
• Umpire Escort: Anthony Gianetti
• U16s Lauren, Allannah, Claudia, Ruby and Maggie

Bring on Round 2!

Round 2

Another glorious day for ANZAC Round, we wore Knights colours in our first home game at Liberty Reserve, up against Upper Ferntree Gully. With Charli and Kelsie coming into the side we had all 15 of our team on the field, and were also again supported by U16s Lauren and Allannah, who had played in the match immediately before our one. Jo was joined in the coaching box by Jordy and Lauren.

Once again we started 15 a side, and quickly gained the ascendancy in the first quarter, kicking 2 goals and holding Upper Ferntree Gully goalless. The structure the coaches had been working on during training was evident, especially during the middle part of the game, with the defence and midfield often able to position themselves correctly without too much coach involvement. The match got a bit spiteful in the second half, with our opponents eventually only able to field 12 a side after some strong tackling by our girls. Our players continued to play tough, fair, consistent footy for four quarters, and ran out winning the game 7.9-51 to 0.3-3.

Highlights included:

• Kelsie solid in defence for most of the game, then drifting forward for a goal in the last quarter
• Lauren and Allannah again blending seamlessly into the team
• Neve, working hard in defence including some great use of the body to out position her opponents
• Libby proving a handful up forward, kicking a goal
• Holly not only taking marks and winning the ball, but helping her teammates by chasing and shepherding, earning her the ANZAC medal

The numbers that have been getting to training really helps build the team, and helps the coaches run full ground drills. Everyone benefits, so keep coming when you can!

Thanks to our helpers:

• Trainer: Karren Martin
• Runner: Adam Ternes
• Timekeeper/Scoring: Jess Crampton
• Goal Umpire: Mick Sharry
• Umpire Escort: Daniel Provenzano
• U16s: Lauren and Allannah

Unfortunately we have a bye this weekend, but we're looking forward to seeing how the team builds into Round 4!

Round 3

We had the Bye this week, which was probably timely with a few players isolating with COVID.

Hopefully everyone rests up, and we are ready to go for Round 4!

Round 4

The conditions were overcast with rain threatening for our Round 4 clash with Waverley Blues, wearing Bayswater colours for our first home game at Bayswater. A few girls were probably underdone after a couple of sessions of training were cancelled before our bye round due to COVID ravaging the team. This week Bianca missed with broken fingers, and Holly with illness. We were joined by U16s Allannah, Dakota, Ruby and Maggie, to give us 17 players, and played 15 a side.

The teams traded goals for the first three quarters, and at three quarter time we were three points down. With three minutes to go the margin was two points, when Tyler copped a heavy knock. Precious time ticked away as the trainers treated her, and play resumed with only a couple of minutes to go. What looked like a big pack mark to Paige in the goal square with seconds remaining, was touched and play went on. Our girls kept pushing and the ball found its way to Claire who received a free kick in the forward line as the clock ticked down and the siren sounded. A calm set shot went through the middle, and after trailing for most of the day we ended up winning the game 8.4-52 to Waverley Blues 7.6-48.

Thanks to our helpers:

• Trainers: Karren Martin/Beccy Dawber
• Runner: Adam Ternes
• Timekeeper/Scoring: Lara Robertson
• Goal Umpire: Mick Sharry
• Umpire Escort: Daniel Provenzano
• Canteen: Kym Johnson
• U16s: Allannah, Dakota, Ruby and Maggie

What a great way to finish the grading rounds.

Round 5

A sunny but cool day for a tough match up with one of the ladder leaders Wantirna in Round 5, an away game in Knights colours. We wore black armbands to honour Paige's grandfather. We had Tyler, Jas, Rana, Claire, Darcy and Holly out, but welcomed Izzy and Jade for their first games of the season. Our usual helpers from U16 Lauren, Allannah, Ruby and Maggie also joined us to give us 15 players for the match.

Wantirna dominated the first quarter, and we were lucky they were inaccurate in front of goal to keep us in the game. A big effort, and the girls clawed their way back in the second quarter, to be two points down at half time. With low numbers, our players tired a bit in the third quarter, and our opponents built a match winning lead. Our girls didn't drop their heads, and fought out the game well, winning the last quarter 6 points to 14. Final scores had Wantirna winning 6.9-45 to 2.10-22.

Thanks to our helpers:

• Trainers: Karren Martin/Beccy Dawber
• Runner: Adam Ternes
• Timekeeper/Scoring: Jess Crampton
• Goal Umpire: Mick Sharry
• Umpire Escort: Anthony Gianetti
• U16s: Lauren, Allannah, Ruby and Maggie

Another tough game next week against ladder leaders North Ringwood.

Round 6

Another cool, sunny day for our Round 6 clash with ladder leaders North Ringwood, an away game in Knights colours. We had Tyler, Jas, Libby, Kelsie and Holly out, but had our usual helpers from U16 Lauren, Allannah, Ruby and Maggie. Jo was coaching solo, with Jason joining her at quarter time.

The North Ringwood side were a class above us today. Our girls tried hard, and our defensive effort for the whole game was good. We never gave up, but the final scores saw North Ringwood winning convincingly 11.11-77 to 0.1-1.

Thanks to our helpers:

• Trainer: Karren Martin
• Runner: Adam Ternes
• Timekeeper/Scoring: Jess Crampton
• Goal Umpire: Mick Sharry
• Umpire Escort: Anthony Gianetti
• U16s: Lauren, Allannah, Ruby and Maggie

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