NT women on the back foot in PerthTHEY have the highest representation of Indigenous players at the national women's championships -- 20 of its 25 players -- and the NT Kites hope to end the Perth tournament on a high.
The Kites are competing in Division 2 of the championships. They wrap up their campaign when they play South Australia at Fremantle Oval tomorrow (1:45pm). Unlike the other teams, however, the Northern Territory players are out of season and they've had to call on a number of 'expats' from across the country to play. This may explain why the Kites have had two late-game fade-outs, which cost them dearly, although team spokeswoman Beckie Taylor refused to use that as an excuse.
The NT women ran out of legs in their first game against New South Wales, losing that one by 23 points, 10.5 (65) to 6.6 (42). The Kites led the WA '2' side by four goals at three-quarter-time in their next match, but the Sandgropers came home full of steam. NT held on but couldn't for much longer, with the host side eventually winning by four points, 6.10 (46) to 6.6 (42) (the Kites, incidentally, managed to kick an identical score as in their first match). With a chance to record their first win, that result initially devastated the girls but Taylor said they soon regrouped.
"The girls were shattered from that loss (against WA 2) but we copped it as a team and moved on. Morale is still high," Taylor said.
The women's season in the Top End, like the men's, is held during the wet. The past season went 15 rounds plus finals and ended in March. As such, about only a quarter of the women have been able to train together, and that for six weeks, give or take. This has shown in their performances in Perth.
"I think we've been competitive and our skills are equal if not better than some of these teams," Tayor said. "But our match conditioning and fitness and teamwork have been lacking; we need more games together. What's disappointing is that we're not a team that can run out four quarters. Half our team finished the (2008/09) season in February and the rest in the middle of March. We've had to get girls back from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne to join us."
Taylor singled out Bo De La Cruz, Natasha Puatjimi, who turned 15 in January, Pip Cox, Nicole Simons and Ta'Lannah O'Reeri (pictured, playing for Darwin club St Mary's) as having played good games.
Vics steam-rolling opponentsTHE 'Big V' juggernaut continues with the Victorian women recording 'cricket scores' against their hapless opponents at the national championships this week in Perth.
From just two games, the Vics' percentage is in quadruple figures. They kept hosts WA goal-less in their match on Thursday (Friday was a rest day). The Victorians play Queensland at Claremont Oval today (1:45pm) and have already booked their spot in Sunday's grand final. WA are in the box seat to join them because they play the win-less ACT today, also at Claremont Oval (10:30am).
Sandgroper surge sends Thunder rolling in DarwinAN 11-goal second half has delivered Western Australia a comfortable 53-point win over the Northern Territory in their under-18 national championship match in Darwin last night.
The Sandrgopers had a seven-point lead at half-time but kicked three then eight goals in the third and fourth quarters respectively to shut out the home side, winning it 16.12 (108)to 6.9 (45). Thunder's Deon Gordon kicked two of his side's six goals while Nicholas Winmar, in a fine display on a wing, and Brandan Matera chipped in with one apiece for the visitors.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Last Modified on 06/06/2009 01:09