Women’s Premier Division Match of the Round Review – UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Pennant Hills Demons

Written by Lucas Holmes

 

UNSW-ES looked to bounce back after a 48-point loss to Sydney University in round 8. The Pennant Hills Demons were defeated by Manly Warringah by 78 points.

 

First quarter

The Bulldogs wasted no time and went forward from the opening bounce. Sophie Phillips cleared the centre square, but the Demons’ defence swept the ball away.

The Demons had a chance to enter their attacking 50 through Brianna-Lee Wade. However, Sera Kaukiono was victorious in the one-on-one contest at full forward.

Pennant Hills opened the scoring after five minutes of elapsed time.

From a ball up at centre half-forward, Tayla Duguid looked to find Brianna-Lee Wade at full forward. The football took a wicked bounce in the goal square towards the right goal post. Wade could only stick out a boot and hoped to deflect the football, which ended up going through for a minor score.

The Bulldogs had a golden opportunity to take the lead on the quarter time siren. Phillips kicked to the hotspot from just outside the arc and Willow Smith took a contested mark.

From 20 metres out and directly in front Smith kicked off a step and the football didn’t have the required journey. The football was kicked into the goalpost from close range.

Quarter time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 0.1.1 Pennant Hills Demons 0.1.1.     

 

Second quarter

The Demons had a chance to kick their first major after two minutes in the second term.

From a ball up deep inside their forward 50, a wide handball from Duguid gave a split second for Alexandra Wade to get a boot to the ball. Her kick from 25 metres out was smothered and then rushed through. The Demons retook the lead.

UNSW-ES attempted to switch the ball out of their defensive 50, Wendelin’s kick was intercepted by Alexandra Wade. She maintained her feet, steadied and kicked from 35 metres out. The football faded through for yet another minor score.

Pennant Hills capitalised on their next scoring opportunity.

From a ball up at centre half-forward, Elizabeth Gordon sent the ball to the hotspot. The football managed to get over the back and Eliza Harvey kicked off a step from inside the goal square. The Demons led by 8 points after five minutes of elapsed time.

But the Bulldogs hit back immediately. Gabby Ferreira was pushed in the back after she disposed of the football and a downfield free kick was awarded. Emily Conlan was the beneficiary and made no mistake from directly in front just outside of the goal square.

Half Time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 1.1.7 Pennant Hills Demons 1.5.11.

 

Third quarter

The Bulldogs had the football hemmed into their forward 50 in the early part of the third term. Eliza Harvey attempted to use her speed to break through the zone created by the Bulldogs’ defence but was chased down by Maddy Kohlrusch on the centre wing.

Kohlrusch was instrumental in the Bulldogs’ second goal after 3 minutes of elapsed time.

From the centre of Henson Park Wendelin released a wide handball which enabled Kohlrusch to run and carry. After three bounces Kohlrusch sent a low pass in the direction of Lexie Mitchell.

Mitchell overran the pass which enabled Smith (who led from full forward) to collect the ball in stride and kicked on the turn. From 25 metres out and with a 90-degree bounce of the football, it somehow dribbled through for a goal. Despite the best efforts from Rebecca Apap the Bulldogs retook the lead.

Smith added her second goal soon as she evaded Demons’ defenders around the contest and the Bulldogs extended their lead to nine points.

A rushed behind by Pennant Hills made the margin ten points at the final change.

Three quarter time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 3.3.21 Pennant Hills Demons 1.5.11.

 

Fourth quarter

Lara Taggart and Maddison Hare resumed their battle in the ruck as the fourth term got underway.

The Demons had an opportunity over the back in the opening 90 seconds.

With the Bulldogs’ defence pushed up to their half-forward line Laura Donohue got a kick off the ground on the defensive side of the centre square. Brianna-Lee Wade followed up and got a kick to centre half-forward to where there were no players inside the Demons’ forward 50.

Fortunately for the Bulldogs, Mattison Ball and Isabella Hardwick raced back and cleared the area to negate a scoring opportunity. A burst of speed enabled Wade to kick on the run from 35 metres out and was pulled to the left for a minor score.

Brianna-Lee had another opportunity, this time inside the forward 50.

Eliza Harvey created a turnover on the attacking side of the centre square. Harvey smartly kept the ball in front till eventually Wade entered the fray. A burst of speed enabled Wade to kick on the run from 35 metres out and was pulled to the left for a minor score.

The Bulldogs’ defence stood tall and only limited the Demons to a further two behinds as they ground out a tough win.

Full time UNSW-ES 3.3.21 Pennant Hills Demons 1.8.14.

 

Gabrielle Wendelin was outstanding across half-back from the home side. Lara Taggart battled in the ruck whilst Maddy Kohlrusch provided a spark from stoppages.

Eliza Harvey provided pressure in the forward half for the Demons. Elizabeth Gordon was arguably the best player on the ground in the first half, whilst Madison Hare impressed in the ruck.

 

UNSW-ES Bulldogs 3.3.21

Goal kickers: W. Smith 2, E. Conlan

Best: G. Wendelin, H. Stanford, S. Koh, M. Kohlrusch, M. Hendrie, S. Kaukiono

 

Pennant Hills Demons 1.8.14

Goal kickers: E. Harvey

Best: K. Noble, E. Harvey, E. Gordon, R. Quinn, E. Cooper, A. Maguire