Women’s Premier Division Elimination Final Review – North Shore Bombers v Inner West Magpies

Written by Lucas Holmes

 

Recap

In the home and away season, the North Shore Bombers were defeated by the Inner West Magpies by 56 points in round 5. In round 13, the Bombers returned the favour as they claimed victory by 14 points.

 

First Quarter

The Bombers burst out of the blocks and kicked the first goal inside the opening minute.

North Shore on-baller Kara Selvarajah won a free kick on the attacking side of the centre square. Her deep entry inside the forward wasn’t dealt with by the Magpies’ defence and got over the back. Olivia Edwards collected the football in the forward pocket and immediately handballed it to Elle Carroll who kicked from just outside the goal square.

Freya Taylor stood up early for Inner West as the Bombers had all the play inside their forward half.

Inner West began to get their hands on the football. Eleri Morris pushed up the ground to half back and took a couple of contested marks.

With Jasmine Smith not starting in the ruck for Inner West, Kate Reynolds dominated as the Magpies went undersized.

Despite the relentless pressure from the Bombers, the Magpies’ defence had only conceded one goal in the opening 13 minutes of play.

North Shore put their foot down late in the quarter.

Shannon Smit cleverly tapped the football onto Eder who kicked off a step just outside the goal square. Keating added a long set shot before Carroll added her second from close range.

It was a dominant first-quarter performance from North Shore.

Quarter time North Shore Bombers 4.6.30 Inner West Magpies 0.0.0.

 

Second quarter

The Magpies’ pressure around the football was a feature of the early part of the second term. Georgina McDonnell seemed to be at the bottom of every stoppage.

A 50-metre free kick allowed Inner West a chance to set up behind the football. As a result, they didn’t allow North Shore beyond the centre of Henson Park.

From a ball up inside the attacking goal square, Eleri Morris used the outside of her right foot to good effect as the ball trickled through for a minor score.

The Bombers transitioned the ball from the centre wing for the first goal of the term after 12 minutes of elapsed time.

Carroll burst through from behind the stoppage. Her long clearance bounced off the chest of Phoebe Gray (who played from behind). Gray recovered well and fed Reynolds with a short handball and kicked on the run from 25 metres out.

Keating added the sixth North Shore goal (her second) from close range after a smart kick off the ground from Imogen Hungerford.

Half time North Shore Bombers 6.6.42 Inner West Magpies 0.2.2.

 

Third quarter

Taylor looked to play a run with roll on Selvarajah as the third term commenced. Both players were heavily involved in the first half.

The pressure continued to mount inside the Bombers’ forward 50. Inner West’s defence held firm and only conceded three behinds. North Shore led by 43 points.

There was a stoppage in play for a few minutes. Thankfully Kandace Singleton made her way to her feet and walked off the ground.

The play resumed and the Bombers kicked a goal straight away.

Charlie Fyffe’s deep entry was marked by Carroll who kicked her third from just outside of the goal square.

Smith finally made her way into the ruck, the Magpies wrestled back the momentum

Inner West transitioned the football from one end to the other for their first goal.

Sarah Tutt’s clearance opened the centre corridor and Morris took full advantage. Morris wheeled away and chipped to Eloise Carey on the half-forward flank. Carey immediately handballed to Behan who ran her measure and kicked from 30 metres out.

Darcy Elliston made it two goals in quick succession for Inner West before Eder added her second.

Three quarter time North Shore Bombers 8.9.57 Inner West Magpies 2.3.15.

 

Fourth quarter

Behan’s second came in the opening minute of the final term.

Convery got the decisive clearance at centre-half forward and Lucy Forrest got a horrible bounce deep in defence.

Behan came from in front of the initial contest, stepped back onto her right foot and kicked across her body from 25 metres out.

Morris kicked the second goal of the quarter for Inner West.

Behan took a free kick from just inside the arc on the boundary. Morris took a mark on the behind line and snapped across her body from the acute angle.

Convery added the Magpies’ fifth goal (all in the second half) as they looked to make a late charge.

However, the first quarter from the Bombers did the damage. They held on for a 21-point victory and a place in the Semi-Finals.

Full time North Shore Bombers 8.10.58 Inner West Magpies 5.7.37.

 

Kate Reynolds dominated in the ruck from start to finish for North Shore. Kara Selvarajah made a big impact at stoppages, as Elle Carroll played a huge role in the forward 50.

Georgina McDonnell’s battle with Selvarajah at stoppages was one to watch as McDonnell kept applying pressure and laying tackles. Freya Taylor was superb across half-back. Eleri Morris was dynamic in the forward line and when she pushed up the ground.

 

North Shore Bombers 8.10.58

Goal kickers: E. Carroll 3, M. Eder 2, A. Keating 2, K. Reynolds

Best: K. Reynolds, K. Batley, E. Carroll, L. Anderson, K. Selvarajah, M. Masaoka

 

Inner West Magpies 5.7.37

Goal kickers: G. Behan 2, M. Convery, D. Elliston, E. Morris

Best: E. Morris, G. McDonnell, G. Behan, M. Convery, J. Smith, L. Marshall