It’s second against third in this week’s Swisse VFL Women’s Round 11 game of the week. James Szabo previews the top four clash.
St Kilda and Melbourne University go into the clash equal on points, in a battle to cement a spot in the top four and move to outright second spot.
The Sharks are looking for their seventh consecutive victory this weekend, while Melbourne Uni are coming off a massive 95-point win over Knox.
Uni went down to St Kilda by seven points back in Round 6, and coach Andrew Jago says the team will focus on a few areas to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen again.
“Our start is the most important thing,” said Jago.
“In that game they jumped us at the start and I think it’s absolutely vital that we come out of the blocks as hard as they did. I think they were about three or four goals up before we started to play football.
“I have big respect for their backline – they have the third best defense in the league so finding ways to score against them is very important.”
Jago also highlighted the key players that his side will be looking to shut down in order to overcome their opponents.
“Moana Hope - she’s in great form.
“She’s been the leading goal kicker for the last three or four years and we will obviously put work into her.
“Brianna Davey is also an outstanding acquisition to female football having come across from soccer. She can play on-ball, forward and defense. And she does all three exceptionally well.”
Jago was also happy with some individual performances from his girls on the weekend, and expects them to keep their form going into the next game.
The Melbourne Uni coach highlighted Emma Kearney, Ellie Blackburn, Deanna Berry and Nicole Hildebrand as players who played well last game and have continued to contribute all season.
Kearny and Blackburn kicked four goals each last week, Berry slotted three and Hildebrand chipped in with two.
St Kilda on the other hand, had to work hard for their 34-point win against VU Western Spurs in front of a home crowd on Sunday.
In a game which had a number of momentum shifts throughout, the Sharks were the better side and ran home with four goals to one in the final term - after being kept goalless in the third quarter.
St Kilda coach Shaun Smith says he was happy his girls were able to grind out the result but was clear that there are still many areas to improve on.
“It was a good win because Spurs matched up on us really well and they probably played a different style of footy to us as well.
“Defense and transition is what we will try and work on a little bit, but there are other areas as well. We also need to be quicker in manning-up the opposition when they get the ball.”
The fact that Smith’s side was able to beat their opposition last time round didn’t elude the coaches’ mindset either. Although positive about his team’s chances, he understands it won’t be an easy game.
“We are quietly confident without being over the top,” said Smith.
“We are playing some good footy and there is a good vibe amongst the girls. It obviously gives you belief that we can beat them, but that was a long time ago.
“The team is going to be a little bit different and if you don’t come to play, Melbourne Uni will jump you.
“We know they are a good side and going to a be a very hard running opposition - so we’ll have to prepare for that.”
The game, which kicks off from 2.00pm this Sunday July 3, is set to be a tight, hard fought contest between two highly talented sides.
A blockbuster clash not to be missed.
See the full Round 11 games below:
Photo: Cameron Grimes
Last Modified on 01/07/2016 16:57
