The Victorian Women’s Football Leagues’ best have helped to showcase the standard of female football in a cracking AFL Women's Exhibition Match at the MCG.
The clash between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs went right to the wire, with the Demons holding on to post a memorable victory 4.13 (37) to 4.5 (29).
Led by captain Daisy Pearce (Darebin), who was sublime in the final quarter, the Demons refused to give up their slender advantage despite the Bulldogs pressing hard.
Kept in the game by Melbourne’s inaccuracy, the Bulldogs came to life in the final term as St Kilda Sharks spearhead Moana Hope hit the scoreboard.
In a low scoring affair, Hope appeared the match winner after a major either side of the last break.
But despite keeping the ball locked in their forward half for the majority of quarter, the Bulldogs were unable to hit the front.
Instead it was the Demons that found the decisive goal, with Kira Phillips’ snap putting her side seven points clear with only seconds left.
Pearce (23 disposals) and Hope (two goals) were just two of 15 VWFL players to have the opportunity of taking female football to the big stage.
Eastern Devils gun Meg Hutchins starred for the Bulldogs across half back, while Steph Chiocci (Diamond Creek) and Darebin duo Darcy Vescio and Aasta O’Connor (Darebin) were others to impress in the blue, white and red.
Vescio bagged two early goals as the Bulldogs took it up to the Demons, thanks largely to the work of Melbourne Uni’s Emma Kearney.
But as Kearney’s impact diminished, Melbourne wrestled control and, through the efforts of Elle Blackburn (Melbourne Uni) and former Victorian Kara Donnellan, were able put themselves in a winning position.
Donnellan finished with 23 disposals and Blackburn 20, with the latter’s influence only halted after an ankle injury late in the final term.
Elise O’Dea’s (Darebin) skills were on show throughout, while Mel Hickey (Darebin) was resolute in defence.
Despite their efforts, a lack of scoreboard pressure from the Demons meant the game was still alive at the three quarter time.
Playing on at all costs, the Bulldogs emerged a different side in the final term.
With Katie Brennan (Darebin) lifting and Heather Anderson (Belconnen Magpies) throwing herself at the contest, suddenly an upset loomed.
But ultimately it wasn’t to be with the Demons’ wise heads soaking up the pressure and laying tackle after tackle as the siren approached.
The match was one of two women's games to be played this year. The return match will be played on Sunday, August 16 at Etihad Stadium and will be broadcast nationally by Channel Seven. Broadcast details will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Last Modified on 24/05/2015 15:20