St Kilda has won its fifth game on the trot with a 72-point victory over Geelong in Round 9 of Swisse VFL Women’s.
While the Magpies made the third-placed Sharks earn every goal and matched their opponents at the stoppages, it was St Kilda’s depth of talent – including a best-on-ground performance from Brianna Davey – that saw them extend their lead at every change and win their seventh match of the season 14.8 (92) to 3.2 (20), as Callum O’Connor reports.
In the early stages of the game, Geelong were intent on denying St Kilda their trademark run and carry game. The likes of Jaime Woollett, Richelle Cranston, Shannon Knox and Lily Mithen made life difficult for the slow-starting St Kilda midfield. Davey was the difference between the teams in the first term, breaking the packs and opening up the game for the Sharks to give them a two-goal quarter-time lead.
Geelong entrusted Krista Woodroffe with one of the toughest jobs in VFL Women’s - guarding champion St Kilda full-forward Mo Hope. Hope went into this clash with 55 goals in eight matches, and added another four against Woodroffe, who was able to keep her out of many contests and kerb her marking dominance.
St Kilda coach Shaun Smith pushed Hope out of the goal square further up the ground, and it proved a game-changer as Jasmine Garner kicked three second-quarter goals as the go-to forward.
St Kilda defenders Mia-Rae Clifford, Penny Cula-Reid and Georgia Fisher constantly intercepted and repelled Geelong forward attacks, as the Magpies struggled to find targets up forward with Maddie Boyd rotating between the ruck and forward line.
In contrast the Sharks were spoilt for choice going forward with Garner, Hope and Carlee Purtlock adding goals to blow the three-quarter-time margin to 53 points.
St Kilda’s midfield stepped up a gear in the second half with Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Rebecca Neaves and Alex Whitehead delivering line-breaking second half performances. Geelong kicked belated goals through Emma Williamson and Michelle Fedele, but the damage had been done.
Post-game St Kilda coach Shaun Smith lauded the performance of Davey.
“We know Geelong play hard and we were responding to that,” said Sharks’ coach Shaun Smith following. “And I’ve mentioned before that Brianna Davey is the best midfielder in the comp – I’ll say it again today.”
Geelong coach Steve Janssen lauded the intent style of his side and said the match was a perpetuation of their steady progress.
“I thought Shannon Knox in particular was outstanding… it’s always good to play a side with so many good players that we can learn from.”
In other games:
Darebin showed no mercy to Knox with a 184 point win in the top versus bottom clash. The Falcons had eight multiple goalkickers, led by Katie Brennan (7), Darcy Vescio (6) and Lauren Arnell (4)
Melbourne Uni bounced back from its second defeat of the year with a 104-point win over Cranbourne. A six-goal-to-one first term set up the win, with Sian Wilson (4) and Deanna Berry (3) the leading scorers up forward. Cranbourne
Seaford’s three game winning streak came to an end at the hands of VU Western Spurs, suffering a 69-point defeat. After a slow start, the Spurs kicked 11 goals to two after quarter time to keep within two games of the top four.
Diamond Creek continued its midseason revival with an important win over Eastern Devils. The win sees the Creekers just one game behind the Devils in fifth spot, with Laura Corrigan, Steph Chiocci and Amelia Barden named among the best.
CLICK HERE for the full best players and goalkickers
CLICK HERE for the Round 10 fixture
Last Modified on 21/06/2016 22:01
