Warragul women finish on high
The final round of the Victorian Women’s Football League was played out at Eastern Park on Saturday between the Warragul Colts and Endeavour Hills Falcons in what was to be a close game between these two sides.
Sunny conditions and a soft muddy ground in parts was in order for the women and it was the Colts who were going to dominate for the first time this season, winning 12-19 (91) to 1-0 (6).
The Colts started strong with a fantastic display of skill, moving the ball forward with some accurate passes and linking up with other players to push the ball forward on numerous occasions.
At times it was a congested game but the Colts were able to get the ball out and kick goals when it mattered. Some inaccurate kicking at goal resulted in many minor scores but it was a fantastic effort over all by the Warragul women to win by 85 points.
Both teams put in a great effort. Determination was going to be the key, with high tackle counts to take possession of the ball to move the ball forward. The Colts dominated the first quarter with their strong attacking ability to take possession of the contested ball and deliver the ball forward and kicking goals, giving them a 29-point lead at the first change.
Again the Colts dominated the second quarter, pushing the ball forward and tackling hard resulting in 13 scoring shots for the quarter to give the Colts a 67point lead at the half way mark. The defensive pressure of the Colts was too great for Endeavour Hills, who were unable to kick a score.
Endeavour Hills never gave up and started the third quarter strong. Hard tackling and determination with skillful ball movement down the wing resulted in the Falcons kicking a goal. Not to be out done, the Colts again re-gained control kicking two goals but the Falcons defence stood up, preventing the Colts from booting more goals.
The game was all but over at the start of the final quarter, both sides continued to show their strength giving their all to try and push the ball forward and score.
Some fantastic tackling and the Colts girls ability to lock the ball down when it mattered prevented the Falcons from scoring. The Warragul women scored just the single goal for the final quarter but it was a fantastic win to end an up and down year.
It was a sound performance for the Colts women who have given their all this year to get where they are today and will be looking forward to a very successful season next year. Planning has already started for season 2017 with a bigger Warragul team to start training by the end of this year. Warragul Colts: Goals: Sarah Elson 2, Tash Bennett 2, Brooke Radford 2, Lauren Fankhauser, Johanna Langelaan, Anna Kennedy, Chloe Dodd, Rebecca Whelan, Sara Lovi.
Best: Tash Bennett, Tara Leigh, Winnie Cumberland, Brooke Radford, Rebecca Whelan, Sarah Elson.
Meanwhile, the Warragul Colts Youth Girls played the Phillip Island Bulldogs down at Phillip Island in what was a very close game of girls football on Sunday.
The first quarter was a great display of skill by both teams as they were able to move the ball down their respective forward lines.
At half time the Phillip Island Youth Girls had kicked five points to Warragul no score but the Bulldogs came out in the third with some clean and fast centre clearances.
The Colts were able to get the ball down forward but inaccurate kicking resulted in points only but a fantastic effort, Phillip Island running out winners after kicking five goals in the second half.
Final Score: Phillip Island 5-6 (36) to Warragul Colts 0-3 (3).
Colts best: Channen Dare, Shaye Symes, Shauna Wellings, Julie De Fazio, Tyra White
The Colts Youth Girls now go into the semi finals. Both games for the Gippsland Youth Girls League are to be played on Sunday at Eastern Park, Warragul where Warragul Colts will play Leongatha and Dalyston will play Phillip Island.