Women’s Premier Division Match of the Round – East Coast Eagles vs Manly Warringah Wolves
Photo: Merrille Redden
RECAP
AFL Sydney Premier Division Women’s Match of the Round coverage headed out to the open expanses of Kanebridge Oval, Kellyville, for the much-anticipated matchup between finalists from 2020 with the Eagles welcoming the Wolves. Both teams came into the match full of confidence following excellent Round 1 victories against Inner West (Manly Warringah) and Southern Power (East Coast).
East Coast Eagles started brilliantly and ensured it was one-way traffic which all but confirms the Eagles (2-0) as early season Premiership favourites and has left Manly Warringah (1-1) with a week to reassess ahead of match-up with UTS AFC (1-1) in round 3. East Coast venture away from Kanebridge for the first time this season next week as they head to Macquarie University (0-2) for a contest with the Warriors.
FIRST QUARTER
The conditions at Kanebridge could almost be called perfect for footy with the weather slightly overcast and no wind or rain to speak of. The Eagles faithful as always prepare the ground perfectly, and when ‘Eagle Rock’ was blared on the speakers everyone was set for the action to commence. Maddi Finch was the first to score with a well-finished goal. Her Eagles followed-up fewer than two minutes later with a classy finish by Emily Hurley. All signs pointed to the Eagles being tough to stop, however a late goal by Ellie Shefts kept the game close with East Coast Eagles 2.4.16 to Manly Warringah 1.0.6
SECOND QUARTER
Much like the first quarter, it was the Eagles who settled best with Ash Moeller (Coach – East Coast Eagles) presenting a well skilled and drilled team who controlled the footy well across the midfield and often built strong attack from this line. The footy failed to reach the Manly Warringah forward 50 on many occasions, and when it did the defence structure from the Eagles was superior to that of the Manly forwards. The scoring was all East Coast with major scores from Abbey Martin, Rylee McGartland and Georgina Fowler. Fowler in particular started to assert her dominance in the forward 50. She was well supported by Chloe Arndt who plays a dual role for the Eagles starting in the midfield but often playing a kick behind the play or across the half back line. Half time score was East Coast Eagles 5.7.37 to Manly Warringah 1.0.6.
THIRD QUARTER
No doubt Luke Slobin (Coach – Manly Warringah) would have a long chat to this team around playing accountable football, the team had competed well around the footy but on far too many occasions the Eagles players found space and time. Manly Warringah competed hard around the stoppages, but too often lost the key dual and found the football again mostly in their defensive half. Goals to McGartland (2nd) and Fowler (2nd) all but sealed the result prior to the three-quarter time break. Sarah Ford had started to compile an impressive match in the midfield with Bryany Parker crucial to the half back defensive structure of the Eagles. For the Wolves Holly Graham worked hard, following up a great performance in round 1, along with Ashleigh Carter and Georgina Ravics. At three quarter time the score was East Coast Eagles 7.8.50 to Manly Warringah 1.4.10
FOURTH QUARTER
The Fourth Quarter was close, with both teams feeling the effects of the solid contest around the footy throughout the game. Georgina Fowler got the scoring underway in the fourth, kicking her third goal of the game and in a late consolation goal Isabella Rudolph kicked a her first for the Wolves. The match finished East Coast Eagles 8.9.57 to Manly Warringah Wolves 2.4.16.
While a disappointing result for the Wolves, they were well short of their best team, as were the Eagles with many of both teams AFLW players unavailable for this match. Both teams will be looking forward to the return match at Weldon Oval in Round 11 (Saturday June 26 at 2:30pm).
EAST COAST EAGLES 8.9.57
Goal Kickers: G. Fowler 3, R. McGartland 2, A. Martin, M. Finch, E. Hurley
Best Players: C. Arndt, S. Ford, G. Fowler, B. Parker, C. Rogers, A. Dallaway
MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES 2.4.16
Goal Kickers: I. Rudolph, E. Shefts
Best Players: K. Wall, H. Woolf, K. Harrison, G. Ravics, H. Graham, A. Walters
PREMIER DIVISION WOMEN’S MATCH OF THE ROUND – NEXT WEEK
Inner West Magpies vs. Pennant Hills Demons – Picken Oval 10:o0am Sunday April 25 (ANZAC Day)
*The league wishes to pass on our apologies for any inconvenience caused due to the streaming issues encountered during the Women’s Match of the Round on Saturday.
Although not on the original match of the round schedule the league will stream the return match between the two teams in Round 11 (Weldon Oval) live on the AFL Sydney facebook page.
