Women’s Premier Division Qualifying Final Review – Manly Warringah Wolves v Sydney University

Written by Lucas Holmes

 

Recap 

In the home and away season, Manly Warringah Wolves were defeated by Sydney University by four points in round 7. In round 13, Sydney University defeated the Wolves by 8 points.

 

First quarter

Manly Warringah didn’t take long to impose their physicality on the contest. The Sydney University midfield laid some strong tackles of their own as they cleared the football into their forward half.

Despite this early challenge the Wolves’ defence held firm.

After six minutes of elapsed time (with their first forward 50 entry) the Wolves opened the scoring.

From a free kick on the half-forward flank, Emily Goodsir sent the football high towards the hotspot. Manly Warringah Captain Holly Graham was the intended target but was held when the ball went to the ground. Graham converted the set shot from 25 metres out on a 45-degree angle.

The Wolves made it two goals in less than a minute through livewire forward London Ashcroft.

From the ball up, Goodsir’s long clearance skipped inside the forward 50. Students’ defender Esther Maling punched the ball clear, but it was roved by Ashcroft. In stride, Ashcroft beat Maling with speed and kicked on the run from 25 metres out, deep in the forward pocket.

Ashcroft was involved in the Wolves’ third soon after.

London was rewarded after a strong tackle just inside the centre square. Her driving kick made it over the back of the Sydney University defence and Kahli Gilchrist ran into an open goal.

Bella Gray took two intercept marks in quick succession as the students looked to recover from the Wolves’ early onslaught.

Sydney University’s first scoring opportunity came through Tessa Berger.

Mikayla Sheahan forced a turnover on the half-forward flank, and a sweeping handball from Nikki Seroukas allowed Lucy Gilfedder to deliver inside the forward 50. Gilfedder’s centring ball was bought to the ground by Berger who followed up at ground level, but her snap was rushed through by Andrea Roditis.

Manly Warringah capped off their impressive start to the match with Ashcroft’s second.

There was a brief stoppage late in the quarter as Georgia Mann required assistance from trainers to leave the playing surface. Fortunately, she was well enough to return a short time later

Quarter time Manly Warringah Wolves 4.0.24 Sydney University 0.1.1.

 

Second quarter

Sydney University created repeat entries inside their forward 50 early in the second term.

Wolves defender Caitlin Johnson showed her courage going back with the flight and took an intercept mark. However, the students locked the football inside their forward half.

After six minutes of elapsed time, Amber Laven had a set shot from 25 metres out just off centre that thudded into the left goal post.

The Wolves transitioned the football from their defensive 50 into their forward half in a matter of seconds, but Kate Warnock absorbed a strong tackle from Kaitlin Manning and earned a stoppage.

Sydney University lifted their pressure as the middle period of the quarter was played between the arcs.

As Manly Warringah continued their strong effort in defence, Stephanie Gillion attempted to impose herself physically to shift the momentum.

It was a goalless second term as both sides continued their battle in contested situations.

Half time Manly Warringah Wolves 4.0.24 Sydney University 0.2.2.

 

Third quarter

Eliza McEwan and Lauren Maneschi continued their even matchup in the ruck as the third term commenced.

Laven had another opportunity with a set shot after inside the two minutes of elapsed time. She attempted a short pass to Gillion on a tighter angle, but Jessica Layton’s pressure ensured the ball went over the boundary line for a throw-in.

Laven was once again part of a scoring opportunity minutes later. Laven’s agility was on display as she stepped inside two Wolves defenders and smartly delayed a forward handball to Emma Gelsomino. Emma’s running shot was always to the near side as the students continued to search for their first goal.

The third quarter was played in a similar vein to the second. Sydney University had most of the territory but couldn’t apply the finishing touch.

The Manly Warringah half-back line continued to sweep the football away. At the other end, Gray continued to dominate the air.

Sydney University dodged a bullet right on the three-quarter time siren as an attempted switch deep in defence by Natalia Waterson didn’t find its intended target.

Three quarter time Manly Warringah Wolves 4.0.24 Sydney University 0.3.3.

 

Fourth quarter

Sydney University once again had the football inside their forward 50 early in a quarter and a chance to reduce the margin.

Sheahan received a backwards handball and immediately sent the ball inside the forward 50. The football sailed over the first contest and then skidded through to Berger. Off a step and under direct pressure from Jayme Saggers, Berger missed narrowly to the near side.

The Wolves defence scrambled once again as Sydney University pilled on the pressure, only 20 points behind.

Manly Warringah scored their first point since the first term after Isabella Rudolph pushed her set shot from a tight angle.

Rudolph didn’t waste her second opportunity.

After a turnover on the half-forward flank, Roxy Beuzeville drove the football back inside the forward 50. Rudolph caught the ricochet following an attempted intercept mark. From 20 metres out directly in front, Isabella made no mistake as she snapped across her body.

Gilchrist, after she narrowly missed just after Rudolph’s goal, kicked her second from a tight angle. The Wolves booked themselves in the major semi-final with a 33-point win.

Full time Manly Warringah Wolves 6.2.38 Sydney University 0.5.5.

 

Caitlin Johnson impressed for the Wolves. In a game where the majority was played on the inside, Andrea Roditis’ speed on the outside was damaging. Whilst Emily Goodsir was a force at stoppages and required the attention of multiple opponents.

Jennifer Lew was stout across half-back and provided options once possession was regained. Bella Gray was unstoppable in the air in defence but also supported Maneschi in the ruck, and Mikayla Sheahan had an impact around the ground.

 

Manly Warringah Wolves 6.2.38

Goal kickers: L. Ashcroft 2, K. Gilchrist 2, H. Graham, I. Rudolph

Best players: K. Gilchrist, H. Woolf, R. Beuzeville, E. Goodsir, J. Layton, E. McEwan

 

Sydney University 0.5.5

Goal kickers:

Best players: M. Sheahan, S. Johnson, S. Gillon, E. Walsh, B. Gray, J. Lew

 

The Wolves take on Minor Premiers the East Coast Eagles in the major Semi-Final (with a chance to go straight through to the Grand Final). Sydney University will play North Shore with both matches to be played at Henson Park next Sunday.