Women’s Premier Division Preliminary Final Review – East Coast Eagles v Sydney University
Written by Lucas Holmes
Previous Meetings
The East Coast Eagles defeated Sydney University by 11 points in round 9. The students returned the favour in round 16, the margin 16 points.
First quarter
The East Coast Eagles went forward from the opening bounce.
The secondary clearance was marked by Rylee McGartland ahead of Chaylee Reeve. McGartland’s set shot from 25 metres out on the angle was pushed for a minor score.
After they absorbed some early pressure from the Eagles, Sydney University utilised the short kick to keep their football in their possession.
As Sydney University looked to enter the forward 50, Abbey Martin dropped back and took an intercept mark.
Lucy Gilfedder then levelled the scores. Her set shot from the right forward pocket hit the left goal post.
Sydney University had some time of their own inside the forward 50 but only mustered a minor score. Est Coast did the same at the other end.
McGartland kicked a late goal.
After Renee Tomkins took an intercept mark on the near centre wing, she kicked long to centre-half forward.
McGartland shrugged off her opponent the dribbled the ball from 30 metres out.
Quarter time East Coast Eagles 1.2.8 Sydney University 0.2.2.
Second quarter
After Tomkins started in the ruck for East Coast, Emily Hurley made her way onto the ball from the start of the second term.
For Sydney University, Bella Gray (after she took two intercept marks in the first) added to her tally inside the opening minute.
The students turned up the pressure inside the forward 50 but came away empty-handed. Both Tomkins and Abbey Martin rotated as the spare.
Key defender Niamh Gray hobbled off after a knock to the shoulder.
Having limited time in the forward half, the Eagles kicked the first goal of the quarter after seven minutes of elapsed time.
Following a quick clearance from Sydney University, Madeline Ferguson sent the football straight back. After a wicked bounce near the right behind post that evaded the defender, Laura Moran just got a boot to the ball.
Sydney University replied minutes later.
Reeve took an intercept mark following a rushed clearance from the Eagles. Her kick to the hotspot was swept away by Chloe Arndt. Arndt’s handball was pilfered by Gilfedder, who snapped across her body from close range.
Summer Hall capped off a strong quarter for the Minor Premiers. Her set shot on a 45-degree angle barely inside the arc had just the required journey.
East Coast’s lead was 13 points at the main break.
Half time East Coast Eagles 3.3.21 Sydney University 1.2.8.
Third quarter
Sydney University went forward early in the third term. However, Tomkins and Gray (now back on the ground) continued to impact the game in the air.
The stoppages started to mount up. Neither side could clear the centre square. Rebecca Mitchell gained the upper hand in the ruck, whilst Bryany Parker injected herself into the contest.
After a strong contested mark, McGartland pushed her long set shot. The first score of the second half.
McGartland made no mistake less than two minutes later.
After a run-down tackle inside the centre square, Parker played on immediately and kicked to the advantage of McGartland. Another contested mark.
From 25 metres out, directly in front, McGartland kicked her second. The margin was 20 points.
As the Eagles continued to employ a loose defender, Sydney University showed promise as they entered the forward 50. Gilfedder’s low pass found Kara Durante just inside the arc.
Even though it didn’t register a shot on goal, Sydney University needed to continue its patient approach to break down the East Coast defence.
After 13 minutes of elapsed time, the students kicked a much-needed goal.
Stephanie Gillion had pushed up to the half-forward flank. Her low kick on a 45-degree angle found Tessa Berger 40 metres out. Despite getting extremely close to the player on the mark, Berger had the distance comfortably.
Sydney University had reduced the margin to 15 points at the last change.
Three quarter time East Coast Eagles 4.5.29 Sydney University 2.2.14.
Fourth quarter
Sydney University required a fast start early in the final term. However, a clear possession was hard to come by with play on the far side of Henson Park.
Jennifer Lew burst off the half-back flank, which created the first scoring shot after five minutes of elapsed time.
After a turnover in the forward half, Gillon had a set shot from 25 metres out on a 45-degree angle. Gillon’s kick was pulled to the near side for a minor score.
The students didn’t waste any more time.
Following a downfield free kick, Durante’s chip found Berger inside the forward 50.
Berger, 20 metres out, just off centre, kicked her second goal of the afternoon. The margin was only eight points.
Gilfedder had the opportunity to reduce the margin further.
From a tight angle in the right forward pocket, Gilfedder pushed her set shot across the face of the goal. No score was registered.
The Eagles took some sting out of the contest as they dropped multiple players behind the football.
McGartland’s third came over the back with 16 minutes elapsed.
Despite a surge from Sydney University, the Eagles held on to a 15-point win.
Full time East Coast Eagles 5.6.36 Sydney University 3.3.21
Renee Tomkins was superb loose in defence as well as in the ruck. Bryany Parker provided run and carry as well as a physical edge. Sarah Burns’ ball use was a feature across half-back.
Maryanne Harley didn’t take a backwards step for Sydney University. Rayanne Kenny impressed in contested situations whilst Jennifer Lew was solid in defence and dared with ball in hand.
East Coast Eagles 5.6.36
Goal kickers: R. McGartland 3, S. Hall, L. Moran
Best: R. Tomkins, E. Hurley, B. Parker, S. Whitton, S. Burns, R. McGartland
Sydney University 3.3.21
Goal kickers: T. Berger, L. Gilfedder
Best: M. Harley, K. Durante, S. Johnson, R. Mitchell, J. Lew, R. Kenny
The East Coast Eagles will face the Manly Warringah Wolves in the 2022 Premier Division Women’s Grand Final to be play on Sunday 1:50 PM at Henson Park.
