AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division – Match of the Round Review
Women’s Premier Division Match of the Round – Manly Warringah Wolves vs Inner West Magpies
RECAP
What a way to kick off the 2021 AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division season, with a Grand Final rematch between two powerhouse teams of the competition. To add some extra feeling to the occasion Manly Warringah completed the traditional Premiership flag unfurling pre-match on what could only be called perfect conditions for footy at Weldon Oval, Curl Curl. The turf works completed during the off-season worked a treat as the ground was in fantastic condition for the first round of the season.
FIRST QUARTER
The first quarter was fiercely contested by both teams, but it was Manly Warringah, the defending Premiers, hitting the scoreboard regularly. Holly Graham got the scoring underway after a bullet pass from Emily Goodsir (fresh of playing with the GWS GIANTS). Graham never looked in doubt after marking 25 metres out on a slight angle. Inner West had their chance to kick their opening goal after a high contact free kick directly in front, however, Berry Fox-Quinn failed to clear the outstretched arms of Erin McKinnon, also back from AFLW duties with the GIANTS. And the end of the first quarter it was Manly Warringah 3.3.21 to Inner West 0.0.0.
SECOND QUARTER
The contest evened up in the second quarter as Inner West settled into the contest with Lael Kassem and Gillian Behan leading the Magpies resurgence. A key change was extra support provided in the ruck with Linda Lodge providing support to Erin Todd with the aim to reduce the dominance at stoppages from Manly Warringah, led by Erin McKinnon. Despite a more even contest in the ruck McKinnon continued to block the advances of the Magpies with a combination of dropping a kick behind the play, along with a superior ability to read the play. The first goal of the quarter came from an excellent transition of play from Inner West with a sharp handball from Jordan McGee finding Claudia Langley who snapped truly. However, the Wolves answered back with goals from Jacquelin Green and another from Holy Graham, as the teams entered the long break and a chance for Luke Slobin (Manly Warringah) and Arron Convery (Inner West) to evaluate the first half of the season – it was Manly Warringah 4.3.27 to Inner West 1.2.8.
THIRD QUARTER
As the teams emerged for the second half, it was clear the match had evened up with both teams having patches of dominance. The class of Lisa Steane was becoming evident as she was involved in the majority of the Manly Warringah’s attacking plays while also accumulating a mass of tackles and pressure efforts around the ground. Laura Marshall, Anna Ruut and Emily Pease continued to compete for the Magpies, with one goal a piece to each team in the quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
The final quarter was much the same as the second and third, with Inner West and Manly Warringah sharing the football and the dominance of the quarter, both teams tackled hard and put the pressure on each other. Caitlin Johnson (wearing the famous no.120) kicked the first goal of the quarter before Eleri Morris finishes off a very solid individual performance with two goals in the final few minutes of the match.
In the end it was Manly Warringah 7.8.50 too strong for Inner West 4.3.27. However, there is likely to be more to come from this match up with a return leg to come at Picken Oval in Round 10 (Saturday June 19) and, of course, the allure of a finals rematch.
MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES 7.8.50
Goal Kickers: C. Johnson 2, J. Green 2, H. Graham 2, E. McKinnon
Best Players: L. Steane, H. Graham, E. McKinnon, E. Goodsir , G. Ravics, K. Gilchrist
INNER WEST MAGPIES 4.3.27
Goal Kickers: E. Morris 2, C. Langley, L. Lodge
Best Players: L. Marshall, E. Morris, L. Behan, G. McDonnell, E. Pease, G. Behan
PREMIER DIVISION WOMEN’S MATCH OF THE ROUND – NEXT WEEK
East Coast Eagles vs. Manly Warringah Wolves Saturday April 17 – 12:20pm Kanebridge Oval
Photo: Merrillie Redden
