Women’s Premier Division Match of the Round – Pennant Hills Demons v North Shore Bombers

Written by Lucas Holmes

 

Recap

The Pennant Hills Demons were defeated by UTS in round 12. The margin was 39 points. The North Shore Bombers went down to Manly Warringah by 66 points.

 

First quarter

As the rain briefly subsided the first term got underway, and it didn’t take long for the Demons to open their account.

Eliza Harvey won a free kick on the half-forward flank, Brianna-Lee Wade met her kick inside the forward 50. Wade did exceptionally well to control the football, turned and snapped across her body. The Demons had their first inside the opening minute.

Wade could’ve had two in less than a minute. Her set shot was pushed slightly to the right. Tayla Duguid laid an excellent tackle in the centre square and a 50-metre free kick was paid.

With most of the play in Pennant Hills’ forward half, their second goal came after nine minutes of elapsed time.

Alexandra Wade was awarded a free kick on the centre wing. Wade’s kick to space ended up in the capable hands of Duguid, who immediately sent the football into the forward pocket. Ella Morris somehow got over the back of the North Shore defence and waltzed into the open goal.

Duguid capped off a terrific opening quarter with a goal of her own before Brianna-Lee Wade added her second.

North Shore was limited to a rushed behind, and despite the conditions, it was a high-scoring start to this match.

Quarter time Pennant Hills Demons 4.4.28 North Shore Bombers 0.1.1.

 

Second quarter

The weather closed in, and the rain started to fall as the second quarter commenced.

North Shore began to get their hands on the football first in contested situations. However, the Demons’ pressure around the contest was immense.

As a result, the Bombers created repeated stoppages inside their forward 50 but could only come away with a minor score. Dominique Carruthers snapped in traffic but couldn’t screw her snap around enough.

The Bombers’ intensity around the contest started to lift as well. Kara Selvarajah made a lunging tackle on the centre wing to thwart another attacking opportunity for Pennant Hills.

Matilda Eder started to make an impact. She evaded a couple of tackles before a running shot on goal was just to the near side. Minutes later, Eder made a strong tackle to ensure the football stayed in the Bombers’ forward half.

The Bombers were able to keep Pennant Hills scoreless in the second term. Quick goals were required from North Shore to bridge the four-goal margin.

Half time Pennant Hills Demons 4.4.28 North Shore Bombers 0.4.4.

 

Third quarter

North Shore picked up where they left off as the third term commenced.

From the opening bounce, Selvarajah won the centre clearance and sent the football low inside the forward 50. Olivia Edwards and Carruthers combined at close quarters. This allowed Shannon Smit the time and space to kick their first goal off a step.

The Bombers continued to create opportunities in their forward half. Edwards started to make an impact whilst on a difficult day for tall forwards, Melissa Brydon was able to bring the ball to the ground.

But it was Kate Reynolds who kicked their second goal after eight minutes.

Reynolds did extremely well to collect the football cleanly after a short clearing kick from Pennant Hills. From centre half-forward, Reynolds kicked towards the top of the goal square. North Shore got a favourable bounce and Brydon did the disciplined act and shepherded the football through.

The margin was back to nine points.

A 50-metre free kick gifted Brianna-Lee Wade a goal as the Demons had their first points since the opening term.

Carruthers did it all herself, as she burst through a stoppage in the forward 50. The margin back to nine points at the last change.

Three quarter time Pennant Hills Demons 5.6.36 North Shore Bombers 3.7.25

 

Fourth quarter

The first goal of the fourth term was going to be crucial, especially with the rain at its heaviest.

Donohue kicked her second of the match after four minutes.

With the Bombers deep in defence and looking to clear the area, the high kick was intercepted by Donohue.

From 25 metres out, directly in front, Donohue had the distance with a wet, heavy football and the Demons were away.

North Shore threw everything at Pennant Hills as they attempted to work their way back into the contest. But the Demons kept play in their forward half and were able to bleed the clock as a result.

Brianna-Lee Wade’s skill was on full display. in an almost identical fashion to the first term, she trapped the ball after an awkward bounce and snapped it home from a distance.

Before superb ball movement from the Demons saw Hayley Lowe kick her side’s ninth goal.

Despite the conditions, it was a highly skilled and entertaining match as the home side came away with a 35-point victory.

Full time Pennant Hills 9.6.60 North Shore 3.7.25.

 

Tayla Duguid was outstanding around the ground for the home side. On a day not suited for key forwards, Brianna-Lee Wade was extremely effective. Whilst Madeline Brown was a rock in defence.

Dominique Caruthers was arguably the best player on the entire ground. Olivia Edwards provided a spark forward of the football whilst Kara Selvarajah was almost unstoppable in contested situations.

 

Pennant Hills Demons 9.6.60

Goal Kickers: B. Wade 4, L. Donohue 2, E. Morris, T. Duguid, H. Lowe

Best: B. Wade, T. Duguid, L. Donohue, A. Wade, H. Lowe

 

North Shore Bombers 3.7.25

Goal kickers: D. Carruthers, K. Reynolds, S. Smit

Best: D. Carruthers, O. Edwards, I. Hungerford, L. Krimmer, K. Batley, K. Reynolds