A barnstorming first quarter and a Melbourne Uni / St Kilda draw has helped the Eastern Devils inch closer to second spot after a win against bottom-placed Knox in Round 11 of Swisse VFL Women’s.
After a six-goal opening term, the Devils finished with another 10 majors for the afternoon, with inaccuracy preventing a bigger final margin, winning 16.20 116 to Knox 1.3 9 as Callum O’Connor reports.
The Devils dominated the clearances and inside ball in the first term with Jess Trend and Lauren Tesoriero delivering damaging performances and Pepa Randall was simply too quick up forward. Knox were unable to assert themselves on the contest with the Devils’ set up hampering the Falcons ball movement out of defence. The absence of injured Falcon Sarah Farmer was telling.
Knox were able to summon some fighting spirit in the second quarter – trailing by 42 points - with several of their young, developing players taking the contest to the more senior Devils. Lisa Whittaker and Emily McIlvena balanced out the midfield battle, while in defence the ever-consistent Melissa Kuys starred with her intercept marks. Jamie Head, Cassandra Papadopoulos and Claire McKenna worked hard to limit Devils’ forwards Randall, Josie Smith and Sarah Perkins.
The Devils were able to control much of the run of play as they got numbers around the ball with Rebecca Privitelli and Tahni Nestor orchestrating much of the drive forward. However, they were blighted by poor kicking in front of goal as they sprayed eight straight shots before finally converting from point blank range. Knox finally got on the board as Sarah Jolly kicked truly late in the second quarter, to trail by 55 points at half time.
Knox continued to fight hard against the Devils’ irresistible midfield control in the second half but too often their hurried kicks out of defence were neatly met by Privitelli, Hannah Scott and Sophie Casey. Perkins, too strong and quick off the lead to contain fully, kicked two as did her forward partner Jess Foster. After gifting her teammates a number of opportunities, Randall finally converted one of her own as the Devils went into the final quarter with an 82-point buffer.
Perkins’ fourth goal halfway through the final quarter pushed that margin into triple figures as the Devils celebrated forward Sam ‘Gecko’ McGeoch’s 100th match with a 107-point win.
Results went the way of the Devils in Round 11, with the St Kilda and Melbourne University draw bridging the gap between second (Melbourne University/St Kilda 34 points) and fourth (Eastern Devils 32) to just two points.
Devils’ coach Brendan Major praised the performance of his defence in the absence of injured stalwart Meg Hutchins, highlighting how Bec Privitelli had been “a massive in for our club.”
Along with a strong defence, possession was key focus.
“We focused on maintaining possession and getting a certain number of marks from our kicks,” said Major.
Knox coach Clint Martin says his side can now build on from the sustained effort they have been showing.
“We’re still working on turnovers Inside 50 and hitting targets when we go forward.”
The Eastern Devils play St Kilda in Round 12 in the live video streamed game HERE while Knox will face ninth placed Geelong.
In other games:
VU Western Spurs overcame a goalless second term against Geelong to kick five goals to nil in the second half for a 52-point win. Kylie Nicolaci leading the way with three goals
Cranbourne held Darebin to just two first half goals before the Falcons broke the shackles for a 10-goal second half to record an 83-point win. Lauren Arnell kicked three while Bianca Jakobsson was best for the Eagles.
Seaford got within nine points of Diamond Creek in the final term, before the home side kicked the final three goals of the game for a 27-point win. Laura Attard was named best for the Creekers, while Kim Ebb was best for the Tigerrettes
Nothing separated Melbourne Uni and St Kilda at the final siren, with Kaitlyn Ashmore (pictured) levelling the scores with minutes to play for the first drawn game in VFL Women’s. Bri Davey helped the Sharks to a 12-point lead early in the final term, but late goals to Ellie Blackburn and Ashmore helped provide two points each to the second and third placed teams.
CLICK HERE for full results
Photo: Arj Giese
Last Modified on 05/07/2016 17:07