St Kilda have moved a step closer to cementing a top four spot after defeating the VU Western Spurs by 34 points in a tightly contested battle at Peanut Farm Reserve.
After a scoreless third term, St Kilda stormed home with four goals to one in the final term, to record their sixth win in a row, 11.9 (75) to 6.5 (41), as Callum O’Connor reports.
The Sharks welcomed back key position player Phoebe McWilliams, who was pivotal in holding the Spurs at bay in the first quarter as the visitors adjusted well to the conditions. The Spurs created plenty of space up forward, giving the likes of Jess Francke and Alex Quigley room to move as they converted early goals. The Sharks hit back through Tilly Lucas-Rodd and Jasmine Garner to hold a 15-point lead at the first break.
Spurs full-back Lauren Senserrick, who held Shark Mo Hope to two goals in their Round 3 clash, was ruled out with a season-ending broken nose, giving Amy Harrison the job on the competition leading goalkicker. Despite the Spurs closing to within 10 points midway through the second term, St Kilda finished strongly with the final two of the quarter for a 26-point halftime lead.
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Aside from Alyssa Mifsud in ruck, the Spurs were being beaten in the air by the taller, stronger St Kilda side. Their faith in their leg-speed was rewarded in the first half after Quigley’s second goal, which was generated by a brilliant line-breaking play from Bronwyn Gell, who was holding her own in a run-with role on the Sharks’ Brianna Davey.
Spurs failed to make the most of their chances in the third term, keeping St Kilda scoreless, but only able to add one goal for the term. The Sharks’ backline showed their composure and structure, despite the likes of Sarah Lampard and Francke Continually pushing the ball forward for the Spurs.
St Kilda defenders Mia-Rae Clifford and Penny Cula-Reid (who took no fewer than six marks on the last line of defence) displayed their football smarts as their side conceded just 1.4 under a third quarter siege to preserve a 16-point lead going into the final quarter.
Any hope of the Spurs storming home were put to rest when Hope converted her fourth goal 10 minutes into the final tem, to establish a 28-point lead for the home side.
Quigley kicked her third goal late in the game for the Spurs to stop the Sharks four goal final term run, to leave the final margin at 34 points.
St Kilda coach Shaun Smith, whilst applauding the efforts of his defenders, admitted his charges had “some things we need to work on during the week”, particularly as they face Melbourne Uni in a huge top four clash.
In other matches:
Darebin’s Katie Brennan (five goals) and Georgia Hammond (four) dominated up forward against Geelong, helping the top-team to a 127-point win.
Diamond Creek finished strongly in the final term against Cranbourne, kicking four goals to one to record a 35-point win – Christina Bernadi finishing with five goals.
Knox recorded its biggest score of the season, but was unable to contain Melbourne Uni in the second half with Emma Kearney and Ellie Blackburn (four goals each) helping the visitors to a 95-point victory
With just 22 points separating Eastern Devils and VU Western Spurs at half time, the Devils powered home with nine unanswered goals in the second half for a 78-point win – Jaimee Lambert and Sarah Perkins leading the way with three goals apiece.
Last Modified on 28/06/2016 10:26