Women’s Premier Division Match of the Round Review- North Shore Bombers v Sydney University

Written by Lucas Holmes

 

Before the Easter long weekend, in round 2 Sydney University accounted for Southern Power by 74 points. Whilst the North Shore Bombers were defeated by 3 points in a nail-biting encounter by the Manly Warringah Wolves.

 

First quarter

It took less than three minutes for Sydney University to threaten the North Shore defence.

From a Ball up on the attacking side of the centre square, chain handballs found Georgia Mann. Mann surrounded by North Shore defenders, created her own space then unleashed a running shot on goal that missed narrowly.

North Shore’s slick ball movement led to the first goal of the day.

From a boundary thrown in on the far centre wing, North Shore transitioned the ball to the opposite side of the ground. A kick to space inside the forward 50 allowed Alannah Green to swoop on the football (and despite the best efforts from Esther Maling) skidded the ball home 20 metres out.

North Shore made it two goals in quick succession. A free-kick for holding the football was paid on the half-forward flank. Kai Stevenson took an uncontested mark in the forward pocket and kicked truly from a tight angle for her first goal in senior football.

Shannon Smit kicked the Bombers’ third to cap off a strong first quarter.

Quarter time North Shore Bombers 3.2.20 Sydney University 0.1.1.

 

Second quarter

Green had the chance to kick her second goal in the opening minutes of the quarter, but it was Phoebe Gray who made no mistake soon after.

A quick kick from the University defence came straight back inside the forward 50. Green collected the ball on the bounce, shrugged off an opponent and handballed to Gray who made no mistake from 25 metres directly in front.

Sydney University almost responded straight away. Rebecca Mitchell took an intercept mark in the middle of the ground. Mitchell’s spearing kick was met with a courageous mark. Wasting no time, play on was called with the long shot on goal registering a minor score.

North Shore kicked their fifth goal in the latter stages of the second term.

Following a kick out, Georgie Ohare fed Matilda Eder with a short handball. Eder’s kick was marked just outside the goal square by Alyce Keating who made no mistake.

Half time North Shore Bombers 5.4.34 Sydney University 0.3.3.

 

Third quarter

It didn’t take long for Sydney University to open the scoring in the third term.

Mann (who had spent time behind the football) found Emma Gelsomino just inside the centre square. Gelsomino turned and kicked into the pocket looking for Amber Laven. A cruel bounce evaded Laven whose attempted shot rolled into the opposite pocket.

Emma Walsh and Lauren Maneschi worked well in close quarters which allowed Walsh to snap home from close range.

North Shore hit back no more than a minute later.

Lucy Krimmer cut off a risky University kick in the centre of the ground. Krimmer’s kick to centre half-forward found space and the Bombers didn’t let University out of their defensive 50. Eder was once again the beneficiary, and her pinpoint kick found Keating just outside the goal square. Her second goal of the afternoon.

Both sides’ physicality around the football came to the fore during the third term as the remainder was played between the two arcs.

Three quarter time North Shore Bombers 6.4.40 Sydney University 1.4.10.   

 

Fourth quarter

A 50-metre free-kick was the catalyst for North Shore early in the final term.

Eder took a mark on the half-forward flank (after play resumed from the centre wing). As it had been all afternoon, Eder kicked to 20 metres out from goal where Gray and Green had a two on one advantage. Gray kicked her second from close range, the Bombers were off an ideal start.

Gray would’ve had her soon after if not for a brilliant chase down tackle by Chiara Palazzo.

Walsh showed how important it is for players to keep their feet as she had three disposals in 30 seconds. As Sydney University looked to go inside their forward 50, Walsh was stopped by Olivia Edwards who made a lunging tackle.

The Bombers almost made University pay at the other end with Eder’s kick out of mid-air just trickled past the goal post.

Both sides had a few chances at either end but couldn’t capitalise as neither side took a backwards step as full time approached.

Full time North Shore 7.6.48 Sydney University 1.7.13.

 

For North Shore, Matilda Eder’s ball use (particularly going inside the forward 50) was outstanding. Both Lucy Krimmer and Charlie Fyffe rebounded well of half-back and Kate Reynolds dominated in the ruck.

Rayanne Kenny excelled in contested situations for Sydney University. Nikki Seroukas showed her speed on the outside of the contest whilst Emma Walsh impressed around the ground.

 

North Shore Bombers 7.6.48

Goal kickers: P. Gray 2, A. Keating 2, S. Smit, A. Green, M. Stevenson

Best: Z. Hurrell, A. Green, L. Anderson, K. Batley, E. Matheson, L. Krimmer

 

Sydney University 1.7.13

Goal kickers: E.Walsh

Best: N. Seroukas, G. Mann, E. Walsh, A. Foo, S. Johnson, C. Palazzo