AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division Round 6 Match Review: UTS Bats v Pennant Hills Demons
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Written by Lachlan Scott
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First Quarter
The Sydney weather gods blessed us with a beautiful afternoon for Ladies Day at Trumper Park. The game opened slightly tentatively with both sides testing each other’s defences. The defensive lines pushing up and forcing the ball back into the midfield at blistering speed at either ends.
Pennant Hills drives a roving maul forward to the goal square. The ball squeezes out of the contest and spirals towards goal but meets the post. UTS fly down the near side through an aggressive handball chain, Lindsay breaks off her opponent and kicks check side towards goal. The ball bounces cruelly though and it rolls through for a minor. Fantastic defensive tackling, exemplified by Spamer, keeps the ball in the Bat’s forward 50.
Rudd and Morris combine down back to break the Demons out of their defensive arc. The Bats nab the interception and drive forward again but a goal saving tackle by Quinlan halts their forward progress. UTS continue to charge forward with repeat entries but aren’t reaping the rewards yet. The Demons just can’t move the ball through the midfield, but their defensive line is standing tall under immense pressure.
The Bats lock the ball forward again, Quade runs into the contest at speed and snaps a cheeky kick across the turf from nowhere, drawing cheers as they secure their first goal of the day. The dam down back has finally broken for the Demons, The Bats forward pressure just too much to hold off for an entire quarter.
UTS continue their dominance after the centre bounce and immediately go forward. Rudd and Morris continue to find avenues out of defence, but the midfield battle remains strongly in UTS’ favour despite Richards’ monumental efforts. McDonnell sends the ball deep into attack for the Bats, Devine taps down to Behan who immediately flicks it to Quade who strolls in for her second in a spectacular display of teamwork.
Pennant Hill’s defence tried their hearts out in the first, but an avalanche of midfield possession and accurate forward passing couldn’t be held at bay forever, UTS taking the first quarter in overwhelming fashion.
Quarter Time UTS Bats 2.4.16 – Pennant Hills Demons 0.1.1
Second Quarter
The UTS Midfield throw their bodies over the ball to secure possession and fly forward again to start the second. The Bats trap the ball near the goal square and a mark by Devine inches from the goal line gives her a chance to shoot for the first of the quarter. She wastes no time and slots it through with no fuss.
The Bats drive forward immediately again from the centre bounce. After forcing a contest in the forward pocket, Behan sharks the ball from the pack and snaps around her body and is immediately surrounded by her teammates, notching her first for the afternoon.
Court flies through the centre for the Demons, breaking from her opponent and powers the ball forward. Quinlan continues to be steadfast in defence as well, stalling countless forward forays as UTS continues their onslaught.
A leading mark from Quade turns into a textbook shot on goal 30m out at a slight angle. She again wastes no time and sends the Sherrin soaring through the uprights for UTS’ 3rd of the quarter.
The Bats continued their dominance in the second, their midfield pressure forcing the ball forward and their forwards mix causing trouble for the Demon’s defenders. Pennant Hills still struggled to move the ball forward for large patches but showed individual brilliance around the ground and absorbed a lot of pressure throughout.
Half Time UTS Bats 5.7.37 – Pennant Hills Demons 0.1.1
Third Quarter
Lowe and Gordon slam the ball forward for Pennant Hills early in the third, Quenlin and Lowe continuing to intercept almost every UTS drive forward. The Demons defence continues to be solid, but the midfield transition is where the drives break down. The arm-wrestle between the arcs is far more even after halftime, The Demons evening the playing field. UTS continue to apply pressure until they find a break, but they’re limited to a single behind for all their efforts. Pennant Hills dragging themselves back into this contest and shutting down all forward forays but need to find a way to move the ball down the other end.
Three Quarter Time UTS Bats 5.7.38 – Pennant Hills Demons 0.1.1
Fourth Quarter
Immediately the tempo is raised up a notch to start the final quarter with physicality and spot fires popping up around the midfield. Neither side is backing down or giving an inch. Devine starts things of with a sublime goal on the run deep in the pocket to jumpstart UTS.
The Bats immediately go forward again from the centre bounce, not giving the Demons defenders a second to breath. Behan streams from the contest, breaks a tackle, kicking across her body and slamming it home.
McDonnell puts her stamp on the game again with a bone rattling tackle, the Demons midfield throwing everything they have into the contest. Behan presses the instant replay button and goals again from the same spot in the same manner again to continue to blow out the Bats lead. She’s looking deadly with defenders struggling to match her pace and strength in the tackle.
Pennant Hills grinds forward for the first time in a while, Morris taking a shot from the contest, but it drifts right for a behind. UTS drives back down the other end through an incredible Parker run. She gets it to McDonald who slams the ball on the boot and sends it flying deep into the forward pocket finding Devine. The sharp angle is no problem for her as she kicks truly for her third of the day.
Devine gets another chance moments later from on the 50m arc. The ball falls just short to a contest, Quade roves and snaps, kicking her fourth in a brilliant display of forward craft. Pennant Hills did not stop trying throughout the contest, but they’ll be rueing some of their midfield transition and forward entries. Some incredible individual performances but just not quote connecting all the dots down the field. UTS can be proud of another oppressive defensive performance, with some amazing forward craft and accurate kicking. A performance worthy of the ladder leaders.
Full Time UTS Bats 10.9.69 – Pennant Hills Demons 0.2.2
Final Scores:
UTS Bats: 10.9.69
Goal Kickers: J. Quade 4, A. Devine 3, G. Behan 2, M. Lindsay
Best: Gillian Behan, Georgina McDonnell, Taylah Canobie, Danika Spamer, Georgia Knight, Melissa Lindsay
Pennant Hills Demons: 0.0.2
Goal Kickers:
Best: Elly Rudd, Kaitlin Quinlan, Hayley Lowe, Olivia Morris, Eliza Harvey, Emma Richards
