An explosive first term has helped Gippsland to the fairytale first season in the VWFL, claiming the East Division premiership.
After establishing a 26-point quarter time lead, Gippsland faced a tight contest from Ajax over the remaining three quarters to eventually run out winners 7.9 51 to 2.2 14.
It was the tale of two halves in the first term, with neither term able to take the advantage in the opening 10 minutes. It was not till midway through the term that Gippsland adjusted to the conditions and change its game plan, kicking long at every opportunity.
Best on ground Sarah Jolly kicked back to back goals to open Gippsland’s run of first term goals, as they took advantage of the vacant goal square. Sarah and Emily Jolly were lively up forward in the opening stanza, but it was Rachel Drenen that out bodied her opponent late in the term to also produce back to back goals to give Gippsland a 26-point quarter time lead.
This quickly extended to 32 points eight minutes into the second term, as coach Nicole Schroeter kicked her first, as Gippsland continued to push the ball forward. Down back Chloe Dodd was a rock, assisted by the likes of Jenna Treadwell, Suzanne Allan and Rebecca Jennings.
Toni Hamilton started to push forward out of the middle for Kew, and when she kicked her first, the margin at half time was reduced back to 27 points. Tamara Epshtein was working hard around the ground, along with Chelsea Fisher the Kew captain who did not stop working at the bottom of the packs.
Any momentum Ajax hoped its second term goal would bring, along with its strong vocal crowd, was quickly extinguished when Drenen kicked her third to see Gippsland back out to a game high 32-point lead. The Galaxy continued to have all the answers as Danni Pearce gave them drive out of the ruck and Kim Cunico set up the play through the middle. Hamilton again pushed forward late in the term to goal, but Kew still faced a 29-point deficit heading into the final term.
It was much of the same in the final quarter, with captain Patricia Chapman directing traffic at half forward, while Tayla Tatterson and Lisa Whittaker continued their strong games for Gippsland.
Emily Jolly kicked the only goal of the final term on the run and the premiership was there to be celebrated, with Gippsland home by 37 points.
Gippsland 4.2 5.3 6.6 7.9 (51)
Ajax Fc 0.0 1.0 2.1 2.2 (14)
GOALS:
Gippsland: Drenen 3 S.Jolly 2, E.Jolly, Schroeter 1
Ajax Fc: Hamilton 2
BEST:
Gippsland: Pearce, Tatterson, Whittaker, S.Jolly, E.Jolly, Chapman
Ajax Fc: Hamilton, Epshtein, Sekler, Fisher, Marget, Caplan
Best on ground: Sarah Jolly - Gippsland
Photo: Arj Giese
Last Modified on 31/08/2015 23:00