The St Kilda Sharks are aiming to bite back against ladder leaders Darebin this weekend when the sides do battle in Round 14 of the Swisse VFL Women’s. Kate Withers previews the first versus third clash.
Last time the sides met in Round 4, the Falcons raced away to a 34-point lead at quarter time, but were held to just one goal in the second half by a resolute Sharks defence on their way to a 17-point win.
Determined to even the ledger, St Kilda coach Shaun Smith says the Sharks believe they can test the undefeated Falcons.
“We’ve proven we can actually match it with Darebin if we apply ourselves correctly, but we have to do that over four quarters,” Smith said.
“Darebin are obviously the benchmark of the competition, and if we slack off then they’ll punish us.”
Though Darebin has an untarnished record this year, coach Jane Lange says the side has come a long way since it’s Round 4 clash with St Kilda.
“As the season has progressed we’ve been working on a few things that has allowed us to get on the end of a few balls, and a lot of that has to do with moving the ball quickly,” said Lange.
The Falcons have proven indomitable so far in season 2016, claiming another top four scalp last week against the Eastern Devils to make it 13 on the trot.
St Kilda also comes into the Round 14 clash in blistering form. The Sharks last tasted defeat against Darebin in Round 4 and are coming off a 113-point victory against Seaford at home.
It was the pairing of Mia-Rae Clifford and Penny Cula-Reid in defence that contained a Darebin onslaught in Round 4, and Smith says the Sharks will need to shut down the Falcons forward line again this week.
“Mia and Penny have been the rocks for us so far this season,” said Smith. “We’ve got to play accountable footy on them or they’ll run over the top of us.”
Though it was the Shark defence that proved troubling for Darebin earlier in the season, playing coach Lange says a well-rounded St Kilda outfit are sure to cause headaches across the ground.
“They have players across all their lines that have an impact on games, so I’m sure that will be the case again this week.”
The Sharks forward line will again be a focus for Darebin, and after gun forward Moana Hope shone for St Kilda with 3 goals and is sitting on 76 goals for the season, well ahead of second placed Katie Brennan on 49.
“I’ve played with Mo and coached her and she’s a real danger around goals, so we’ll definitely have to look at how we play her.”
Likewise, the Sharks are wary of Darebin’s star list, and Smith admits the rampant Falcons will be a tough task.
“There’s a long list of players we have to watch,” said Smith. “Daisy Pearce, Katie Brennan, Karen Paxman and Lauren Arnell are all dangerous.”
Keen to continue an unbeaten run in hopes of clinching a ninth premiership in 11 years, Lange says the Sharks are sure to put up a fight.
“It’s generally pretty physical and contested. I’m expecting a really close match.”
The game will feature a star studded lineup for both teams, with Pearce, Brennan, Paxman and Arnell four of 11 Darebin players set to represent Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs in the final AFL Women’s Exhibition match on September 3 at VU Whitten Oval, along with three Sharks players in Brianna Davey, Penny Cula-Reid and Moana Hope.
The game will be broadcast live on Girls Play Footy Radio.
Last Modified on 22/07/2016 12:36
