A crisp Friday night at a magnificent Thebarton Oval was the setting for a rematch from last year's Elimination Final as the Morphettville Park Roos trumped the Modbury Hawks by 33 points to win the SAWFL Under18Girls Grand Final.
Morphettville Park was out to take revenge on Modbury for a one-point loss in 2013.
Modbury had advanced straight through to this year's Grand Final after being the most consistent team all season. Morphettville Park, on the other hand, played Salisbury the week before in the Elimination Final for the right to play in the Grand Final. It was a tough, close affair begging the question as to whether Morphettville had played their Grand Final a week too early.
That question was answered in the first quarter as the Roos bursted out of the blocks; hey kicked two goals early and held their opposition scoreless. The Roos' midfield continually pressed ahead of their Modbury counterparts, with fullback and captain Kizzy Grice repelling any counter attacks and setting up from the back half.
Once again, the Roos' defence stood up in the second quarter keeping their opponents scoreless again, although the Hawks captain and SA vice-captain Georgia Taylor was a menacing presence in her own backline, taking plenty of contested marks and using her big boot to advantage.
With a 21-point buffer at half time against a scoreless opponent, the Roos dropped their bundle a little bit expecting another dominant quarter. The Hawks switched their captain to centre-half forward and it proved a masterstroke. Taylor was masterful in attack, taking several strong marks and kicking three goals. Her midfield won clearance after clearance as they fought back against their opponents and the Hawks' defence stood to hold the Roos to only one third quarter goal.
After an epic “premiership quarter”, there was only eight points in it with a fired up Modbury team riding a wave of momentum. Morphettville, however, after a few spirited words, came out firing. The midfield of Kellock, Marinoff and Jericho displayed their dominance and allowed the side to kick four last quarter goals thanks to the work of their two tireless rucks in Milham and Cox- and Modbury had no answer.
Eventually the Roos prevailed by 33 points and celebrated jubilantly to record Morphettville’s historic first ever flag.
Georgia Taylor was a tower of strength for her side and was clearly the Hawks' best player while Sally Arnold and Nikki Thompson put in solid performances.
Kizzy Grice, a shining light at fullback, led from the front for her team finishing, as the best on-ground. Tough tagger Taylah Tanner and the influential Ebony Marinoff were inspirational.
There were eight individual goalkickers for Morphettville, displaying an even contribution all over the ground, and they were made to work very hard by a determined Modbury team. A fantastic spectacle for the many spectators who came out to watch and a good sign for the future of South Australian football.
Modbury (4.2.26) defeated by Morphettville Park (9.5.59)
The 2015 Under 18 Girls Competition is expected to commence in February. If your club is interested in entering a team, please contact caitlin@saafl.asn.au
Last Modified on 03/06/2014 12:01