Women’s Premier Division MOTW: Eagles circle the Bulldogs

Image courtesy of East Coast Eagles Media.

 

Written by Madison La Pira

East Coast Eagles vs. UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs – Kanebridge Oval on Saturday 1 June 

No one knew what to expect at Kanebridge Oval on Sunday when the East Coast Eagles and UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs faced off for the first time this season. Though unfortunately for the Bulldogs – who were looking to continue their recent success – the home side pulled away for a comfortable win. 

It was the away team who was first to put themselves on the scoreboard with a goal through Shannon Longville. 

However, it was not long before Sophie Martin answered this goal with one of her own in only her second game for the Eagles in the Women’s Premier Division.  

Breanna Donnellan soon grabbed her first of two for the day and closed out the goal scoring for the first half for the home side. 

The second term saw a goalless fifteen minutes as both defences were determined to keep their opponents at bay. 

It was an entirely different third quarter though with the Eagles switching into gear and kicking four goals, while preventing the Bulldogs from scoring even one.  Gabe Marzano kicked two of her three majors in a matter of minutes midway through the term. Donnellan joined her teammate in her side’s dominant third term, snagging her second goal of the match not long after Marzano. 

Rylee McGartland was also looking to keep her position as the leading goalkicker for the Women’s Premier Division as she snatched her first of the two goals for the game. 

A goal from Ingrid Nielsen at the start of the final term looked positive for the Bulldogs but unluckily for her side, it was not enough to stop the soaring Eagles. 

Marzano and McGartland closed out their goal scoring campaigns in this quarter, sealing victory for their side. 

GWS GIANTS AFLW player, Renee Tomkins’ strong performance for the Eagles saw her take home best on ground for her side. 

Alongside Tomkins, GIANTS teammate Haneen Zreika and 2018 AFL Sydney James Medallist, Emily Goodsir’s effective matches reinforced the Eagles in the midfield.

This result places the Eagles second on the ladder but the side are tied for points with first and third-placed Macquarie University and the Sydney University Bombers. 

Peri Maniakis’ strong performance at the back for the Bulldogs, particularly in the second quarter, saw her win best on ground for the Dogs.

Sandra Janjetovic also played well for the away team. 

Match Results

East Coast Eagles vs. UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs

Eagles – 8.21.69 

Bulldogs – 2.2.14 

Eagles Best – R. Tomkins, H. Zreika, E. Goodsir, S. Ford, C. Stanley, C. Arndt 

Eagles Goals – G. Marzano (3), R. McGartland (2), B. Donnellan (2), S. Martin 

Bulldogs Best – P. Maniakas, S. Janjetovic, I. Nielsen, T. Bool, M. Kohlrusch 

Bulldogs Goals – I. Nielsen, S. Longville 

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