Round 5 Match Review – Women’s Premier Division UNSW-ES Bulldogs VS Manly Warringah Wolves

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First Quarter

The sunny Sydney skies continued to shine down for the Women’s Premier division match as Manly Warringah and UNSW-ES both look for their second wins of the season.

UNSW-ES drive forward early and look to lock the ball in their half but a slew of free kicks help keep the ball moving forward for Manly. Green sets up Kennedy for a shot direct in front from 40m out, she kicks to the pack in the square, but the Bulldogs apply pressure everywhere to lock the ball in the contest. They transition through hard nose midfield movement giving Conlan a chance but the kick drifts right to start the scoring for UNSW-ES. Conlan gets another chance moments later marking deep in the pocket, breaking through two defenders, and slamming home the first goal of the day.

Intercept marks by Manly across their defensive half halt any forward progress by the Bulldogs as the contest moves back to the midfield. UNSW-ES are applying immense tackling pressure trying to stop Manly from entering their forward 50 and so far, it’s worked in the first.

A ball in deep in Manly’s forward pocket is flicked to Green who snaps truly around her body amid the contest to get the Wolves on the board. A very even contest early with fantastic defensive work from both sides as control of the midfield remains up in the air.

Quarter Time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 1.1.7 – Manly Warringah Wolves 1.0.6

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Second Quarter

The ball is barely bounced and we’re back to a terrific midfield arm-wrestle, with Ferreira taking on two tacklers and still managing to get the footy away in an incredible show of force. The Bulldogs are smothering every kick they can get their fingertips to as the Wolves midfielders keep finding the footy first. Manning kicks over her shoulder running into the pocket but barely misses what could easily be goal of the year. Saggers shoots straight out of the ruck contest but misses right, the Wolves forcing repeat contests in their forward arc. It looks like the dam wall of the Bulldogs defensive line will surely break soon but some stoic intercept marking in the goal square keeps them alive for now. Green is the first to break through the wall, marking 20m out slightly off to the right. She takes her time and makes sure of the kick, slotting through Manly’s first of the quarter.

Saggers shoot rapidly from the contest, but once again gets the same result and scores a minor. The Bulldogs are marking almost everything coming into their defensive 50 but the few that get through are resulting in scores in rapid succession. Carter throws it on the boot with a massive kick from the 50 but it floats right for another Manly minor. A 50m penalty for not returning the ball properly gifts Gilchrist a shot from the top of the goal square which she casually sends home for the Wolves. Ashcroft takes a fantastic intercept mark and is rewarded for her effort with the final goal of the quarter for Manly.

The Bulldog’s defensive line really are putting everything they have into this contest but there hasn’t been any transition forward to reap the rewards of that effort. Manly continues to apply pressure until they find a gap and make the most of their opportunities.

Half Time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 1.1.7 – Manly Warringah Wolves 4.4.28

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Third Quarter

The grind continues after the halftime break with four ball ups in a row as the midfield crowds in trying to force a clearance. Manly sneaks the ball out and flings it forward into the pocket. Green takes a ping from the midst of the contest, but the ball stays right throughout its flight, opening the quarter with a minor score.

Wendelin shows real courage for the Bulldogs, having to wait on a cruelly bouncing ball and getting crunched in a double tackle at the top of the defensive arc. UNSW-ES’ defenders are tackling with intent in the second, Koh leading the way, taking every forward who touches the ball to the ground.

Manning earns herself a holding the ball free kick through a bone crunching tackle and sends Manly forward again. The Wolves can’t capitalise as the Bulldogs midfield pushes back and fills the defensive 50. Smith powers through 3 defenders to force the ball forward to Conlan for UNSW-ES but the ball tricks everyone and the contest runs over the goal line for a minor. Smith goes again from the contest and shoots with lightning speed, but the ball wafts just too far left for another Bulldog minor.

The Wolves fly down the other end, Green blasting a long bomb over the back but a last-ditch tackle on the goal line prevents any score before the siren sounds.

Both midfields have gone up a gear after halftime and are dropping back defensively to double team forwards and dry up scoring across the board.

Three Quarter Time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 1.3.9 – Manly Warringah Wolves 4.6.30

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Fourth Quarter

Bourgeois flies out of the ruck to jump-start the final term. She heaves the Sherrin forward for the Wolves, Green dancing around defenders and darts through a behind from the contest. Johnson slips out the back of the contest and sends a high kick forward, Carter stands strong and marks. She wastes no time in lining up and shooting through Manly’s first for the quarter.

A swift handball chain out of the midfield ends with Hyde 40m out at a difficult angle but she makes it look easy, slamming the ball through for a second goal in as many minutes for the Wolves. Tensions off the ball boil over as the physicality steps up a notch players let their frustrations air. Manning surprises everyone, kicking a goal from around her body, mid tackle and halfway to the ground, extending Manly’s lead late in the game.

 The Wolves go forward again from the bounce through Hyde. She finds Carter directly in front who makes no mistake and strikes truly for her second. Manly’s constant grinding forward seems to have finally collapsed the Bulldogs defence as they score almost at will this quarter. Woods flies out of the edge of a midfield contest, blazes away from her opposition and finds Carter again who can do no wrong in the final stages of this contest. She takes her time and makes it certain, slamming home her third and securing the victory for Manly.

UNSW-ES can certainly hold their heads high in a fantastic contest, showcasing mammoth levels of effort and determination across the field, just unable to connect with their forward line and make the most of their opportunities. The Manly coaching staff will certainly be pleased with the midfield’s efforts and the forward lines skills above their heads and below their knees, finding avenues to goal across the arc.

Full Time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 1.3.9 – Manly Warringah Wolves 9.8.62

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Final Scores:

Manly Warringah Wolves: 9.8.62

Goal Kickers: A. Carter 3, J. Green 2, L. Ashcroft, K. Gilchrist, M. Hyde, K. Manning

Best: Lauren Bourgeois, Madi Hyde, Jacqueline Green, Isobella Tremauville, Molly Woods, London Ashcroft

UNSW-ES Bulldogs: 1.3.9

Goal Kickers: E. Conlan.

Best Players: Not Supplied

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