THE St Kilda Sharks played out their second thriller in as many weeks, turning the screws late to defeat a plucky Eastern Devils side by just two points in Round 12 of Swisse VFL Women’s.
Brianna Davey’s late goal brought jubilation to Peanut Farm Reserve, and although the Devils hit back with just seconds to go, the Sharks held on for a crucial win 9.7 61 to the Devils 9.5 59 to claim the inaugural R U OK Day Cup.
St Kilda fans were certainly feeling a sense of déjà vu as the clock wound down, after witnessing a historic draw with Melbourne Uni the previous week. However, three straight goals in a five minute period late in the final term was enough to see them over the line.
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Jamie Lambert of the Devils was arguably best on ground, amassing the ball and involving herself in almost all scoring opportunities in an extremely classy performance.
Conversely, it was the strength, power, and desire of Jasmine Garner and Brianna Davey that typified St Kilda’s performance, both playing a leading role in the win.
St Kilda’s victory moves them six points clear of the Eastern Devils on the ladder in third position, trailing second placed Melbourne University only on percentage. Meanwhile, the Devils missed a golden opportunity to cement themselves in the top four, remaining just one game – but a massive 100% - ahead of Diamond Creek.
A blustery day at Peanut Farm Reserve in St Kilda presented a difficult set of conditions for players, who handled the weather superbly. Kicking with a strong breeze, the Devils hit the ground running off the back of two opening term goals to Sarah Perkins.
The strong forward played a sublime first quarter, kicking the opening goal of the game after a powerful mark, before snapping a wonder goal from 35 metres out just minutes later.
Perkins was ably supported by Lambert and Sarah D’Arcy, and the Devils ferocious forward pressure seemed to rattle the Sharks initially. In response, St Kilda moved Brianna Davey behind the ball, and the effect was immediate, with the defender turned midfielder helping to quell any forward thrusts.
Despite controlling the play, the Devils were unable to capitalize on the breeze after the first ten minutes of the term, but did end the quarter with a 22-point lead.
Drizzle began to fall to start the second quarter, bringing with it a frosty atmosphere for supporters. Ironically, St Kilda came out of the blocks red hot, winning the ball directly out of the centre to Jasmine Garner, who found Tamara Hyett.
Unfortunately for Sharks fans, Hyett was unable to capitalize, but the Garner trend continued, with the dangerous forward taking multiple marks and providing a strong option across the half forward line all game.
Tilly Lucas-Rodd eventually got the Sharks on the board with a brilliant snapshot at goal, and a throw in defense gifted Garner a well-deserved major from a free kick moments later.
Davey continued playing as the quarter back for the Sharks, and the roles suddenly reversed – St Kilda was now locking the ball inside fifty and stifling the Devils.
A rare forward entry for the Devils gave Lambert the chance to bag a major after a free kick, but this was immediately cancelled out by Moana Hope’s first of the game. This was soon followed up by her second, and the Sharks were back in the contest.
The Sharks cut the lead to just nine points at half time, and reduced the deficit even further when Hope kicked her third sixty seconds into the second half. However, this only spurred the brilliant Lambert back into action.
The star midfielder kicked a superb solo goal after a brilliant fake, before assisting Lauren Tesoriero to steady things for the Devils.
The Devils quick movement and pace through the centre began to tell again, and if not for Hope’s fourth just before the three quarter time siren, the Devils would have held a three goal lead at the final change.
As expected, St Kilda came out firing in the fourth quarter, and applied the pressure from the get go. A poster and a missed set shot for Lucas-Rodd were warning signs for the Devils, but the away side rallied defensively to level the arm-wrestle.
It took nearly eighteen minutes for any team to record a major as both defences hung firm, before Georgia Harris broke the drought for St Kilda.
Goals to Phoebe Mcwilliams and Brianna Davey would follow, the latter drawing a mighty roar from the crowd as they realized the Sharks held an eight-point lead with just 50 seconds to go. D’Arcy goaled impressively for the Devils but there was no time for a late twist, and the Sharks held on by the narrowest of margins.
Following a pair of games that may be the most important all season for the Sharks, coach Shaun Smith was pleased with the results, and the St Kilda effort over the course of the two games.
“Obviously last week, late in the game we feel like we cost ourselves the win but to come away with a draw, it’s the next best thing. I was really happy with the girls on the weekend, we didn’t play our best footy, but hung tough and it was an ugly sort of win,” Smith said.
Sitting just percentage out of a top two finish, Smith believes the Darebin fixture will be pivotal in deciding ladder positions.
“We’ve got Seaford this week and then Darebin after. If we can beat Darebin that’s going to give us a massive chance of getting second, because Melbourne Uni are playing Darebin later in the season and that can go either way. It would be good to be the first to knock them off, but we just have to stick with the process.”
St Kilda will host Seaford in Round 13, while Melbourne University will travel to take on VU Western Spurs.
by Michael Di Petta
Photo: Cameron Grimes
Last Modified on 14/07/2016 00:20