Carnage at Stirling as Hawks Women Consolidate Spot in the Top Four
The season defining contest between the Tuggeranong Hawks and Belconnen Magpies was overshadowed by three serious injuries at Stirling on Sunday, round 10 of the ACTWAFL. The end result was lost in a wave of ambulances but it was the Hawks who had the commanding 28 point win at the final siren.
Kicking into a stiff breeze in the first quarter, the Hawks jumped the Magpies trying to avenge their previous defeat in Round 2. With Karen ‘Buzz’ Herbert and Steph Boxall dominating in the middle, the Hawks dominated the first 15 minutes with goals to live-wire forward Donna Puglisi and Herbert. First year player Wendy Bennett was also prominent in attack.
The Magpies fought back late in the term kicking a great long goal and unlucky to miss a couple of others. The quarter time score was Hawks 2.3 to Magpies 1.2
The second quarter began brightly for the Hawks as first year player Monique Dawes kicked an opportunist goal and at that stage it looked like how far the Hawks, but from that moment the Magpies finally got going and it was their turn to control play, despite kicking into a breeze. Their momentum was halted when a clash of bodies on the Magpies centre half forward line saw one of their players taken off on a stretcher. Immediately after the break in play Puglisi kicked her second and kept the Hawks in front at half time 5.6 to 2.2.
The second half began with yet another serious injury, this time to the Hawks Sherrie Syrek who suffered concussion and possible serious neck injury after an accidental high shot. The Magpies took advantage of this to post the first goal of the half. After another long delay the Hawks got the next crucial centre break with a great clearance falling in the hands of Vanessa Mayer, having returned from Tasmania and playing her first game since 2005. A neat pass to Puglisi saw her kick her third and maintain the Hawks lead. The Magpies used the breeze better in the third term but were consistently repelled by Hawks star captain Angela Ballerini ably assisted by Rachel Short playing well off a half back flank.
Kicking with the breeze and holding a handy advantage at the start of the final quarter the Hawks put the result beyond doubt when Ayla Hennessy, excellent at centre half forward all day kicked a long bomb. The game came to a premature finish with yet another serious injury. Puglisi, having kicked four, seriously injured her hip and the match finished just before the now familiar sight of the ambulance.
While the serious nature of the injuries and the shortened second half put a large dampener on celebrations there can be no doubt that the Hawks have improved significantly from the team that was beaten by the Magpies by 4 goals in their first game of the season. Credit must go to first year coach Kim Dickerson and the core group of experienced players who have led the team so well. Again it was the ‘usual suspects’ and seasoned players among the Hawks best, although they were supported by excellent contributions from first year players including, Bennett and Shannan Frazer.
Tuggeranong Hawks Women have another tough game this weekend playing Ainslie at Reid Oval at 12pm, Saturday 21st June. The Hawks will be striving hard for another victory as it would all but ensure a tenth successive season of finals football in the Valley for the women.
Final Score:
Tuggeranong Hawks 8.6 (54)
d
Belconnen Magpies 4.2 (26)
Best: Ballerini, Herbert, Currie, Boxall, Syrek, Puglisi
Goals: Puglisi 4, Herbert 2, Dawes, Hennessy
Last Modified on 01/09/2008 08:48