Women’s Premier Division MOTW: They say things come in threes…

Image courtesy of Western Wolves Media.

 

Written by Phoebe McWilliams.

Three goals each to three forwards in three quarters was the difference between the UNSW Eastern Suburb Bulldogs and the Western Wolves in Saturday’s game at Picken Oval.

Bulldogs’ forwards Jacinda Barclay, Roxy McGee and Rebecca Privitelli contributed all of the matches’ goals with three each to get their team over the line by 65 points.

It was a much more competitive match compared to the two teams’ Round 4 encounter where the Wolves were defeated by 110 points.

Wolves’ captain, Melissa Freckelton seemed to be everywhere across the ground and she was assisted by a brilliant performance by ruck, Rebecca Miller. Miller had an outstanding game not only in the ruck but also in her contributions across the ground. Smothers, tackles and a goal saving mark were all part of her repertoire in Saturday’s match.

Despite their competitiveness in and around stoppages, whenever the Wolves went forward they were confronted by a very stable and strong Bulldogs backline. Bulldogs defenders Sandra Janjetovic and Sera Kaukiono were like a brick wall, anticipating any forward entries and rebounding out of defence with purpose.

When the ball did go forward, the Bulldogs had the options with Barclay, Privitelli and McGee all working together and creating space. Barclay’s attack on the ball was outstanding, McGee played the role of a small forward well, and Privitelli took nine marks and had seven shots on goal. It was a balanced forward line that worked together well.

You couldn’t discount the Wolves’ effort. They continued their fight right through to the final siren and kept the Bulldogs goalless in the final quarter. However, ultimately the class of the Bulldogs was the difference at the end of the day, giving them their sixth win in a row.

New Bulldogs recruit, Privitelli made the move to Sydney from Melbourne last year to play for the GWS Giants. However, when the AFLW season concluded, Privitelli was enjoying her time in Sydney so much she decided to stay and moved to her adopted state full-time.

“I think I wanted to enjoy my footy a bit more and be in an environment that is different for me because I’ve been playing football in Melbourne my whole life,” said Privitelli.

“I came to Sydney and I really enjoyed living here. I really enjoy the people, I really enjoy the club, and I just felt like there was a new opportunity for me to stay here and just play footy because I enjoy it.”

She made her way to the Bulldogs and is loving the balance the club provides.

“I got to training and I felt like there was a really good balance. It is a club that holds really high standards for themselves, but they are also really good at not over complicating it. It’s a really good community club culture.”

Privitelli sits second on the competitions’ goal kicking leader board with 14 goals, one goal behind Macquarie University’s Simone Freeman. Freeman is the Strength and Conditioning coach for the GWS Giants’ AFLW team and Privitelli admits there is a bit of banter between the two.

“We do have a bit of a laugh about it as Sim is our Strength and Conditioning coach. She sits on top at the moment. It’s just a bit of competition and a bit of fun.”

Across the grounds there was an upset when Southern Power (5.7.37) defeated the Sydney University Bombers (2.7.19) by 18 points. A three-goal haul to Powers’ Brooke Curren was vital to her sides’ win. The Auburn Penrith Giants (9.6.60) defeated Newtown (1.1.7) and Macquarie University (5.10.40) were victorious against the UTS Shamrocks (1.2.8).

Phoebe McWilliams is a current AFL Women’s player, recently signed by the Geelong Cats after two years spent with the GWS GIANTS. McWilliams is also a freelance writer for publications such as Inside Football Magazine. Following the 2018 NAB AFL Women’s season, McWilliams is playing for Hawthorn in the Swisse VFL Women’s competition in Victoria, while writing for AFL Sydney.

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