Women’s Premier Division Match of the Round- UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Southern Power

Written by Lucas Holmes

 

Recap

The UNSW-ES Bulldogs were defeated by Manly Warringah in round 12, the margin was 44 points. The Southern Power’s match with UTS was rescheduled for July 19th (inclement weather).

 

First quarter

It was a beautiful day in Sydney’s Inner West as play got underway.

The Southern Power drove the football forward in the opening minutes.

Emily Eaves followed up her smothered kick and sent the football high inside the forward 50. However, Sera Kaukiono took an intercept mark.

The Bulldogs’ was still under pressure, although Southern Power couldn’t capitalise.

After six minutes of elapsed time, the Bulldogs finally entered their attacking 50.

Senna Gulden’s running shot on goal dribbled into the goal post. Before Willow Smith’s snap on the angle missed to the near side for a minor score.

The Power replied with a behind of their own before the afternoon’s first goal was kicked after 11 minutes.

Kyla Tracey kicked long towards the hotspot from the half-forward flank. The football took an unfavourable bounce for the Bulldogs’ defence which allowed Tracey to follow up and finish from close range.

UNSW-ES replied soon after.

From a boundary throw-in on the half-forward flank. Lara Taggart followed up her ruck work and kicked to a contest inside the forward 50. Emily Conlan somehow got a short handball away which allowed April Devine to kick through the vacant goal square.

Quarter time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 1.2.8 Southern Power 1.1.7.

 

Second quarter

Both defensive units held their own in the early part of the second term. Kaukiono was busy for the Bulldogs whilst Laura Kent took an intercept mark.

Hayley Stanford opened the scoring after six minutes of elapsed time.

Stanford applied pressure around the contest and a throw was paid. Stanford just had the required journey from 25 metres out.

The Power tried to open the ground up as they elected to use the centre corridor. However, the Bulldogs’ defence held firm and didn’t allow a deep entry inside the forward 50.

Madeline Parker had a golden opportunity to reduce he margin to a solitary point, although the set shot from close range rattled the goal post.

Sienna Reiners made a terrific chase-down tackle as the quarter ended.

Half time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 2.2.14 Southern Power 1.2.8.

 

Third quarter

The breeze at Henson Park picked up slightly early in the third term and Sophie Phillips almost utilised it to full effect. Her set shot from 45 metres out was pushed slightly for a minor score.

Smith had a set shot closer to goal minutes later and made no mistake.

From a free kick on the half-forward flank, Gulden played on and sent the football high to a contest. Smith used her body smartly and marked 20 metres out, directly in front.

Smith added her second in an almost identical fashion, as the margin was a game-high 19 points.

Shelby Koh was instrumental to Smith’s third. Koh intercepted a clearance at centre half-forward for the Bulldogs. Her pinpoint pass split three Power defenders as Smith had yet another set shot from close range.

Parker made amends for her miss in the second late in the third.

She applied a strong tackle inside the forward 50, then converted the set shot just outside the goal square but on a 45-degree angle.

Three quarter time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 5.3.33 Southern Power 2.2.14.

 

Fourth quarter

Gulden continued her strong showing early in the last term as she ran down Corinne Markwell in the centre square.

The Power had a chance through Caitlin Davidson. But the set shot on the angle was pushed for a minor score.

A minor score followed for the Power before Emily Eaves capped off yet another impressive showing.

Eaves pressure around the football was rewarded after an incorrect disposal by the Bulldogs’ defence. Eaves well and truly had the distance as the set shot on the angle sailed through for a goal.

Devine added her second after 14 minutes elapsed.

From a ball up on the half-forward flank, Devine split the pack and finished on the run from 35 metres out.

Smith capped off her afternoon with an outstanding display of forward craft.

Stanford delivered to football to Smith one-on-one deep inside the forward 50. Smith freed her arms to beat one defender, then stepped off her left foot to beat another and finished from 20 metres out.

Full time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 7.5.47 Southern Power 3.5.23.

 

Both Senna Gulden and Gabrielle Wendelin were superb for the Bulldogs. April Devine impressed in the ruck (her combination with Hayley Stanford was on full display), whilst Willow Smith was unstoppable in the forward 50.

Jemima Wrigley was outstanding on the ball for Southern Power. Despite being undersized compared to the opposition rucks, Corinne Markwell fought all afternoon. Whilst Emily Eaves continued her consistent form.

 

UNSW-ES Bulldogs 7.5.43

Goal kickers: W. Smith 4, A. Devine 2, H. Stanford

Best players: S. Gulden, I. McDonald, S. Koh, W. Smith, S. Kaukiono, S. Phillips

 

Southern Power 3.5.23

Goal kickers: K. Tracey, M. Parker, E. Eaves

Best players: E. Eaves, J. Wrigley, K. Tracey, D. Mason, K. Blattman, T. Marie