Women’s Premier Division Match of the Round Review – Macquarie University Goannas V Sydney University

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Written by Lachlan Scott

Sopping Sydney rains fail to dampen spirits in Goannas win

The now merged Parramatta Goannas and Macquarie University Warriors hosted their first match and everyone for miles around could hear how proud they were to host as a unified organisation. They came up against a resolute Sydney University side hunting for a win in the opening round.

The theme of the day was hardnosed midfield battling, breakaways and swift transitions through precision kicking and a sprinkle of chaos ball resulting in 1-on-1’s and snap goals.

The overwhelming forward pressure on both sides was integral to many score involvements and was compounded by both midfields pushing up to help lock the ball in. Trade off from this was when the ball did break out it created lots of opportunities and run. Both defences can hold their heads high after being under siege for extended periods with the Goannas best able to weather the storm and repel incursions.

First Quarter

A bruising midfield arm wrestle developed early with both teams testing each other and running into hard contests at every turn. The defence on either side was committed to shutting down drives inside the forward 50’s and blanketed opposition forwards.

Things finally broke open in a massive marking contest resulting in a free kick to Paige Perrotta, with Michala Ford getting on the end of her kick to the goal square and converting to get the Goannas on the board.

Precise kicking was needed to move the ball through the midfield and both sides showed off their skills with quick disposal and decision making breaking the repeat hard on the ball contests and aggressive defensive efforts.

This paid off for the Students with Jasmine Smith getting separation from her opponent and getting out the back, taking advantage of swift ball movement to run into goal and get Sydney Uni their first.

Some speedy boundary line transition and movement led to one on ones and a Hurley pick up on the run, turning and dashing off her opponent, she banged home a major for Sydney Uni. 

Quarter Time Macquarie University Goannas 1.0.6 – Sydney University 2.2.14

Second Quarter

Sydney Uni started strong again with early forward entries to their talls and the midfield stopping attempts to break out, leaving a tenacious goanna defence under siege for the first few minutes.

Farrugia was integral during this period with a massive smother stalling the Student’s attack and directing the defence. More tough contests ensued as driving midfielders tried to muscle their way through and create a breakout. At the other end of the ground Blattman was indispensable in defence for Sydney Uni, intercepting the ball and plugging holes across the 50m arc.

The Students once again put their skills on show, executing multiple clean switches across field and utilising precise kicking to transition. The Goanna’s turned the tables however and managed to hold the ball in their half resulting in an unbelievable Farrugia kick from the boundary to the goal square. Kimberly Jacobs used her strength to push off her opponent, take possession and goal in lightning quick fashion.

The Goannas used this momentum to gain a quick start from the bounce, straight down towards goal. Forward pressure again locked it in their forward 50 and repeat entries resulted in Farrugia crumbing a goal from directly in front showing great below the knee skills.

Closing out the half, Smith was dominant through the midfield for Sydney Uni, powering through multiple tackles and marking contests to force the ball forward. The Goannas defence held firm and showing determination, to pushed it back out without conceding.

Half Time Macquarie University Goannas 3.2.20 – Sydney University 2.4.16

Third Quarter

It was a quarter of missed opportunities for the Goannas in the third, with the Students making the most of theirs.

Sydney Uni was unable to capitalise on multiple forward entries early but not for a lack of effort as the tempo of the defensive pressure remained astronomically high. The tackling and smother efforts from both sides created a nightmare for forwards.

A long bomb from outside the 50 gave Tutt an opportunity from the goal square but the ball had a mind of its own as she was forced to knock it back to Blattman who pummelled it through for a goal.

Play bounced between the arcs for most of the quarter as both midfields battled for the upper hand and free kicks created opportunities to transition. The contest tightened up as the rain began, forcing a scrappy but hard-fought contest where the skills of Hurley and Wallace stood out.

Three Quarter Time Macquarie University Goannas 3.2.20 – Sydney University 3.4.22

Fourth Quarter

The wet weather decided it was here to stay in the fourth but that did nothing to deter spirits as the Students charged off the opening bounce to give Smith an opportunity to throw it on the boot and claim her second for the afternoon.

Plummer and Hicks worked hard through the middle, breaking up Sydney Uni’s transitions and gaining metres at will for the Goannas. Their endeavours paid dividends, driving the ball deep in the forward 50 and forcing a contest. Grierson snapped true off the back of a ball up to make it a 1-point game and causing a cheer to go up around the ground as spectators huddled to stay dry.

Easton rounded out a solid day for the Goannas with a gargantuan goal from the 50 in the dying minutes to seal the win.

Full Time Macquarie University Goannas 5.6.36 – Sydney University 4.4.28

Final Scores:

Macquarie University Goannas 5.6.36

Goal Kickers: K.Jacob, M.Ford, L.Easton, A. Farrugia, J. Grierson

Best: Elisha Williams, Caitlin Fletcher, Olympia Plummer, Chloe Davis, Michala Ford, Ashley Gray

Sydney University 4.4.28                                                                 

Goal Kickers: J. Smith 2, K. Blattman, S. Hurley

Best: Emma Walsh, Maryanne Harley, Amelia CausleyTodd, Georgia Mann, Jasmine Smith, Natalia Waterson