Women’s Premier Division MOTW: Eagles fly away with victory
Image courtesy of East Coast Eagles Media.
Written by Madison La Pira.
UTS AFC Bats vs. East Coast Eagles – Trumper Park on Saturday, 18 May
The UTS Bats were looking to prove themselves in this Round 6 clash against the East Coast Eagles whom they suffered an enormous loss to in the opening round of the Women’s Premier Division 2019.
The Eagles also faced a difficult battle this week with five of their players (Renee Tomkins, Delma Gisu, Rylee McGartland, Brenna Tarrant and Georgia Garnett) selected by the GWS GIANTS to play for their VFL Women’s side on Saturday.
Unfortunately, the Bats couldn’t get the start they were hoping for as the Eagles shot out the gates. Gabe Marzano bagged her first of three for the day in the opening minute of the match, setting the tone for the away side’s day at Trumper.
Ally Dallaway added a second goal to her team’s lead only a few minutes before the whistle blew marking the end of the quarter.
Once again, the Eagles looked strong to begin with at the start of the second term but the Bats quickly picked up the pace to match them.
A series of errors from the Eagles combined with the efforts of Carol Breen, who won best on ground for the Bats, kept the goalscoring from the Eagles to a minimum.
In her first match in the Women’s Premier Division, Jessica Quade was also able to kick her first goal in her new division for the Bats.
The Eagles still managed to snag a goal right at the end from Marzano, to maintain their lead going into the third term.
They did not appear dismayed after from the second half though as the Eagles took off, scoring two quick goals from Chloe Arndt and Marzano at the five-minute mark.
The Bats were out to prove that they were still in this match, as Amy Khuu’s speed was on show at Trumper Park.
Jane Zouch and Kat Grabowski answered the Eagles two third term goals, each with one of their own for the Bats.
Emily Goodsir once again demonstrated why she was the deserving winner of the 2018 James Medal as her goal in the final moments of the third kept any threat of the Bats at bay. Goodsir followed this up with another in the fourth that the Bats answered through Julia Georos.
Unfortunately for the home team, it was all too late and the Eagles ended the match with a comfortable win.
Caelah Stanley’s second game in the Women’s Premier Division saw her take home best on ground for the Eagles with her relentless tackling preventing the Bats from taking control of the match.
It was only her third match of the year, but Sarah Ford continued her string of strong performances in her return from the GIANTS VFLW side, with her speed and vision giving her team an edge over their competitors.
The Eagles are now positioned third on the ladder but are tied for points with second place Macquarie University.
Match Results
UTS AFC Bats vs. East Coast Eagles
Bats – 4.1.25
Eagles – 7.8.50
Bats Best – C. Breen, J. Garside, A. Khuu, S. Goldrick, L. Behan, E. Donnelly
Bats Goals – J. Zouch, K. Grabowski, J. Georos, J. Quade
Eagles Best – C. Stanley, S. Ford, E. Goodsir, A. Dallaway, J. Macklin, G. Marzano
Eagles Goals – G. Marzano (3), E. Goodsir (2), A. Dallaway, C. Arndt
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