The decade long drought is finally over for Vic Country, defeating their Metro counterparts today by 23 points at Whitten Oval.
2003 was the last time Country came out on top in the biannual VWFL event, setting up their win with a dominant first quarter.
Katie Brennan was the key for Country in the opening quarter, kicking two long 50 metre goals to give her side the early advantage, along with Aasta O'Connor who was dangerous in the ruck and around the ground kicking a first term goal. Despite Moana Hope opening the goal kicking for Metro late in the quarter, Country replied after the siren with a goal to Jane Lange to take a 17-point advantage into the second term.
The second quarter was all Metro, with Nicole Callinan and Lauren Spark started to impact the game. However Metro was unable to take advantage of their increased possession, scoring just the three behinds. Country was unable to add to their four goal straight first quarter score, but importantly kept their opponents goalless as heavy rain started to fall at Whitten Oval.
With just 14 points separating the sides at half time, Country set up its win keeping Metro scoreless in the third term. Country continually rebounded off half back, as Metro struggled to find forward options. Richelle Cranston pushed Country out to a 21-point lead eight minutes into the third quarter, finishing off great work from her teammates further up the field.
Daisy Pearce started to have an influence setting up play through the middle of the ground, pushing forward to kick a great long goal, helping her side to a 28-point lead at the final change.
When Cranston kicked her second goal early in the final term, Country was out to a game high 35-point lead. Despite kicking three of the last four goals of the game, Metro was unable to overcome their poor start to the match, with Country home by 23 points.
Aasta O’Connor was voted best on ground for Country with her strong performance in the ruck, and was joined in the best by Daisy Pearce, Melissa Hickey, Katie Brennan up forward (two goals), Kaitlyn Ashmore in the middle and Natalie Wood.
For Metro, Nicole Callinan was their best despite missing the final term through injury, along with Cecilia McIntosh, Loz Morecroft, Lauren Arnell, Sarah Hammond and Lauren Spark.
In the earlier game, Vic Metro kicked three goals to nil in the final term to claim a 21-point win.
Full review of that game to follow Monday.
CLICK HERE to view the best players and goal kickers, plus qrt by qrt scores from both games.
CLICK HERE to view a replay of the game
Last Modified on 10/06/2014 14:40