Women’s Premier Division Match of the Round – East Coast Eagles v North Shore Bombers

Written by Lucas Holmes

 

North Shore kept Sydney University to one goal in their 35-point victory in round 3. The East Coast Eagles defeated Macquarie University by 40 points.

 

First quarter

North Shore made a tactical change from the outset. Kate Reynolds who had spent previous weeks in the ruck began the match at full forward.

The Eagles had the game’s first scoring opportunity.

From a ball up on the half-forward flank, Abbey Martin went back with the flight of the football and took a strong mark. However, her set shot was pulled to the left for a minor score.

The passages of play that followed were between the 50 metres arcs as both sides racked up intercept possessions. This was until Rylee McGartland had her hands on the football for the first time.

Jaimee Kitchener’s free-kick went low in the direction of Bryany Parker. The kick was slightly errant but ended up in the path of McGartland. She picked the ball up cleanly and kicked on the run for the first major of the evening.

The Bombers’ only score in the term came after 12 minutes.

Mellissa Brydon took a mark inside the forward 50 following a 50-metre free-kick. Brydon’s shot on goal fell into the forward pocket where Reynolds had her head over the football and was rightly awarded a free-kick. Her set shot was pushed across the face of the goal.

A running goal on the quarter-time siren from Martin completed the quarter. Both sides had their chances in front of the goal.

Quarter time East Coast Eagles 2.4.16 North Shore Bombers 0.1.1.

 

Second quarter

As the second quarter commenced North Shore persisted with Reynolds deep in the forward line as the impressive Alannah Green continued in the ruck.

Martin had her second goal early in the term as the Eagles swiftly turned defence into attack.

On the half-back flank, Emily Hurley drove the ball to the centre wing. With no one inside the forward 50, Maddi Finch did extremely well as she held the ball up enough which allowed Martin to run on and take the mark. Martin made no mistake and kicked the goal from no more than 20 metres out.

To this point of the match, the Bombers struggled to get the ball beyond their half-forward line. The Eagles’ defenders were doing a great job in reading the flight of the ball and peeling off their opponents.

North Shore was gifted their first goal in the latter stages of the second quarter.

A 50-metre free-kick was awarded at a stoppage and Genevieve Love made no mistake from point-blank range.

The Bombers started to restore parity in the centre later in the term as Reynolds was sent in the ruck for the first time

Half time East Coast Eagles 3.4.22 North Shore Bombers 1.1.7.

 

Third quarter

Reynolds showed her impact not only from ruck contests but at ground level , as well as she had two clearances in the opening minutes.

After a relatively even start to the quarter, East Coast poured on the forward pressure inside their forward 50. Which led to the first goal as the halfway point of the quarter approached.

A secondary clearance followed Jade Swabey’s deep entry inside the forward 50. A clever handball over the top from Tarni Evans found McGartland who turned blindly back onto her right side and dribbled home her second.

McGartland’s third came soon after as Evans put the ball on a silver platter for McGartland who converted the set shot from 35 metres out.

The Bombers’ best opportunity came straight after McGartland’s third.

Oliva Edwards’ clean hands were superb in the middle (considering what was left of the centre square) and the ball ended up with Shannon Smit centre half-forward.

Brydon, who was at the earlier contest, followed the ball into the forward pocket. Her snap across the body just fell short of the behind line and was pushed over for a minor score.

A late goal to McGartland and the Eagles opened a healthy 33-point lead at the last change.

Three quarter time East Coast Eagles 6.5.41 North Shore Bombers 1.2.8.

 

Fourth quarter

As the fog started to set in across Kainbridge Oval, the final term got underway.

In the early exchanges, North Shore was willing to take the game on through the centre corridor.

Kimberley Batley also executed a great tackle on Madeline Ferguson on the half-back flank.

Ferguson made amends minutes later. The Eagles used the far side of the ground as they transitioned the ball inside the forward 50. Ferguson who initially collected the ball at centre half-forward kicked to space, in the direction of McGartland. Her sweeping handball was right into the path of Ferguson who continued her run and kicked her first from 25 metres out.

North Shore had their second goal minutes later. Edwards was rewarded for putting her head over the football inside their forward 50. A 50-metre free-kick ensured that Edwards would kick her first goal of the evening.

McGartland’s fifth and sixth goals came one after another as the margin was out to 45 points.

Evans converted a shorter set shot for her first before a late Elle Carroll goal for the Bombers.

Full time East Coast Eagles 10.5.65 North Shore Bombers 3.2.20.

 

Tarni Evans proved to be a crucial link between the midfield and forward line for East Coast. Rylee McGartland was lethal inside the forward 50 whilst both Bryany Parker and Erin Naden provided run and carry off half-back and into the centre of the ground.

Olivia Edwards was important in the middle over the ground and drifting forward for North Shore. Zoe Hurrell although impacted after a knock in the third term, was crucial to the Bombers’ ball movement. Kate Reynolds had a large impact on the game, particularly after she was moved into the ruck late in the second term.

 

East Coast Eagles 10.5.65

Goal kickers: R. McGartland 6, A. Martin 2, M. Ferguson, T. Evans

Best: G. Garnett, T. Evans, E. Hurley, R. McGartland, E. Naden, B. Parker

 

North Shore Bombers 3.2.2

Goal kickers: E. Carroll, G. Love, O. Edwards

Best: O. Edwards, M. Eder, Z. Hurrell, K. Reynolds, E. Carroll, L. Forrest