Round Eighteen Women’s Premier Division Match Review, Sydney University vs UNSW-ES Bulldogs

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Written by Lachlan Scott

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First Quarter

Beautiful conditions for football here at Sydney Uni, sunlight streaming in as days begin to get longer, still a slight breeze wandering throughout the park. Sydney Uni have made it to finals win or lose and are looking to prime themselves for the first week. UNSW-ES look to end their season on a high note against a team they’ve struggled against all season.

And we’re off with a bang! Throw free kick in the centre goes to Harley, she scours the forward line for targets. She opts to kick short, Murray leaping through the pack. She can’t mark through heavy contact but taps it over the back to her own advantage. Bobbling ball, collects on the run, left foot snap, Goal! Sydney Uni with the first on the board in less than a minute.

UNSW-ES fly forward from the centre bounce and drive deep into their forward line. The Students defence is up to the task however, absorbing the pressure and counterattacking down the wing as we’ve seen them do countless times this season. Short precise kicks get them as far as their forward 50 arc before Gelsomino has to dive into the contest and extract the Sherrin. She sprints from the pack, spots Gillon leading out from goal and hits her lace out to perfection. Gillon lining up from 35m out at a slight angle, the kick doesn’t trouble her at all, and Sydney Uni have two in a row.

Bulldogs defence under siege early here. Durante with the next opportunity to head inside 50. She launches it long to the pack, no mark through the clamouring out outstretched arms. Bulldogs defence collects off the deck but Walsh swoops in and lays a smothering tackle to earn the free kick. 25m out at a wide angle, she takes her time with the kick and runs her full measure. Goal umpire doesn’t budge an inch, three in a row to the Students!

Deep outstanding down back for UNSW-ES. Despite the chaos occurring around her, calm and collected, spearheading the rebound. Long looping kicks catapult them down the ground faster than the Students midfield can react. O’Callaghan applies overwhelming pressure on the defence and forces an error. Throw free kick barely 15m out from goal at a slight angle. She knows she must change the momentum quickly here. And Does! Right over the goal umpire’s head, First goal of the day for UNSW-ES.

Conlan charging through the contest, bullocking her way through opponents, and smashing the ball forward for the Bulldogs. Harley working hard at the coal face directly opposite her, forcing the footy out into space. Friend earns a holding the ball free kick at half back through enormous pressure. And its 50! Suddenly the Bulldogs are deep in their forward 50 and looking dangerous. Its too little too late however as the Students midfield floods back to gum up any movement before the siren.

Strong opening by the Students with a brace of goals early but the UNSW-ES worked their way into the contest and gained some midfield ascendancy late. If they continue the swift transition into the forward line, they’ll stay very dangerous.

Quarter Time Sydney University 3.0.18 – UNSW-ES Bulldogs 1.0.6

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Second Quarter

Bulldogs flying forward from the centre bounce through Conlan, can’t land the last kick but lock it forward with a defensive screen across the forward 50 arc. It’s the Students defence’s turn to absorb the pressure now. Multiple attempts to break out but to no avail. Turnover, long kick forward to Conlan as she leads away from goal. She can’t mark, collects off the bounce, rapid fire handball to Willey as she streams past. Curling kick from Willey on the boundary line, Bending, Bending, Bending, Goal! Miracle goal for UNSW-ES.

Sayer resolute down back for students, intercepts and initiates the switch to Durante. Works to perfection and clears the back line. Bulldogs not having any of it, force the ball to ground and a ball up. The midfield battle is leaning in UNSW-ES’ favour currently and they’re turning it into results. Phillips snap kick through traffic, tumbles past the pack, Students defenders dive on it and Bourke dives on them. Holding the ball! Shot on goal for Bourke 25m out at a significant angle but well within her skill set. Textbook kicking motion, ball straight as an arrow, Goal UNSW-ES.

Scores level now as the Bulldogs come roaring back into the game, Sydney Uni asleep at the wheel after flying out from the blocks. Another forward entry for the Bulldogs, this time Deep spears it laterally to Phillips. Final kick has the distance but floats just left in the breeze. UNSW-ES with a 1-point lead.

Saskia is dominating off the half forward flank for Sydney Uni, firing shot after shot into the forward line. Bulldogs defence is up to the task however, flying for intercept marks and smashing the ball to ground. UNSW-ES with their nose in front as we head into halftime, can Sydney Uni shift the momentum back in their favour?

Half Time Sydney University 3.0.18 – UNSW-ES Bulldogs 3.1.19

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Third Quarter

Blades dominant on half back for the Bulldogs early, intercept marking and wearing her opponent like a glove. Sydney Uni have come out firing with repeat forward entries early. Durante swings a high ball towards Mahony, can’t mark through the contact but collects off the deck at speed. Finds Gillon deep in the pocket, handball from the deck to players streaming past towards goal. Final pass comes to Murray as she’s broken off her opponent and sprints towards goal. Nabs the ball out of the air, step, snap, Goal! Sydney Uni back in front.

Students locking it forward again, momentum back in their corner. Free kick from the contest goes Walsh’s way deep in the pocket. Long kick but distance isn’t a problem as it skews across the goal face for a behind.

Anderson incredible mark over the pack down back for UNSW-ES, combining with Stanford to shut down an unending tide of forward pressure as the midfield battle turns against them. Incredible marks everywhere as pressure on kicks turns the corridor into turn-over city. O’Calloghan and Sayer trade highlights, soaring over their opponents and taking some magnificent hangers.

Murray on the boundary line fires the next Students attack inside 50 but Blades from nowhere! Intercept mark, and its 50 for a push in the back! What a seesawing quarter, movement through the midfield is so fast from arc to arc it’s like watching tennis.  Chaos ball at the top of the arc for Sydney Uni, Seroukas long kick to Murray. Defence knocks it down, but she snaps off the deck, kick skids left for a minor.

Three Quarter Time Sydney University 4.2.26 – UNSW-ES Bulldogs 3.1.19

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Fourth Quarter

Phillips looks to put her statement on the last quarter of the home and away season. Breaks from the contest near the top of the arc for the Bulldogs, one step to steady and launches a rocket towards goals. Ball drifts left in the air on its lengthy journey and floats through for a behind. The kick in is out of bounds on the full! Bulldogs with another chance to take the lead. They can’t convert though and the Students defence force a contest.

Phillips dives into the chaos headfirst and earns herself a free kick. Bulldogs with lots of shots from distance but unable to bring the ball close to the goals. Her kick starts left and stays left. UNSW-ES peppering away at the big sticks but unable to convert yet.

Bourke with the next attempt for the Bulldogs. Chasing the Sherrin across the deck directly in front of goal 40m out and is held from behind. Umpire blows his whistle and she lines up. The kick is straight as an arrow but falls just short, marked on the line by the Harley.

Again the Bulldogs go forward, the Students back line is under enormous pressure not to concede here. Wendelin wrapped up in a 1-on-1 in the pocket, extricates herself from the defence. She collects deftly and spins around the oncoming traffic, threading the kick through opponents. Sherrin has a mind of its own however and tumbles to the right for another minor.

Finally relief as Sydney Uni transition out of defence after having it camped there for the first 10 minutes. Gillon marks at the top of the arc next to the boundary, chips inboard to Harley in a better position. Still too far out to score, she fires it to the pack at the top of the goal square. Fists rise through the chaos and thump it through for a behind. UNSW-ES need to transition rapidly now as time ticks down.

 Distaster for the Bulldogs! Murray rushes the kick in and affects the smother in a heavy collision. She recovers and scrambles forward, collects the ball off the deck and slams home a game winning goal! Sydney Uni waited til the last seconds but have sealed their victory.

Full Time Sydney University 5.3.33 – UNSW-ES Bulldogs 3.4.22

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Final Scores:

Team Name: Sydney University 5.3.33

Goal Kickers: N. Murray 2, S. Gillon, E. Walsh.

Team Name: UNSW-ES Bulldogs 3.4.22

Goal Kickers: E. Willey, M. Burke, E. Callaghan.

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