Hot Pies defeat Ammos
NORTH Geelong coach Shannon Knox was pleased with her side’s commanding performance as the reigning AFL Goldfields premiers defeated the Geelong Amateur’s at home in Round 1 of the inaugural AFL Barwon women’s league.
After a strong first half combining with watertight defence, which included holding the Ammos goalless, the Magpies turned up the pressure in the second half and eventually had a very comfortable 14.9 (93) to 1.0 (6) victory in wet conditions at Keith Barclay oval.
Rhianna Arnold and Cheryl Degroot bagged three goals each for the Magpies, while Riley Shapter, Charlotte Thorne and Georgia Irvine chimed in with two majors each.
For the Ammos, Amanda Borgia was the lone goal kicker, slotting a terrific goal from the boundary in the third term.
“It was really positive, it was a little bit of the unknown playing against the Ammos for us so it was a really good start, it’s a credit to the girls who have been training really hard during the preseason,” Knox said post-match.
Knox credited her side “sticking to structures and composure, tackling pressure and second efforts to move the ball forward” as some of the keys to the Magpies big win.
When asked about how far North Geelong can go, Knox was well aware of the teams ceiling but maintained a lot can happen during the season.
“It would be silly to not say that we can go all the way, hopefully. We’re a side that’s been established for a few years now but at the end of the day we don’t know what’s around the corner,” she said.
Knox also said she was thrilled that there is now a women’s league in Geelong and credited Ammos effort in their first hit out.
“It’s fantastic, it’s something North Geelong have been waiting for about six years now, it’s a credit to AFL Barwon and the sides like Ammos, who today for their first game should be really proud of themselves.”
Knox named Thorne, Irvine and Kristine Prosser as the Magpies standouts.
Former Geelong star Tim McGrath was also pleased with his side’s efforts despite the scoreboard.
“It was a good hit out for us, at least now we know what we need to work on, which include a few set ups but that wasn’t a disaster by any means,” he said.
McGrath said he told his team to enjoy the game and that the team will improve as the season goes on.
“They’re going to learn more out of this by actually playing the game rather than me explain things at training,” he said.
Borgia, Mardi Dangerfield, and Kate Fagan were some of the standouts for the Ammos.
A brilliant five-goal third term has helped St Marys take out a massive win away from home against Drysdale on their home deck. The Saints didn’t allow the Hawks to score after the second quarter and had plenty of scoring opportunities themselves, eventually winning 14.15 (99) to 3.2 (20). Ashleigh Bond was prolific in the 79-point win, bagging three goals. Harriet Rowe, Jady Brkic, Tayla Ryan and Kelsey Houghton kicked two each. Taylor Edwards, Breanna Beckley and Brydie Dwyer were among the best for the Saints while Georgina Brown and Gabrielle Deller stood tall for the Hawks.
The Giants have helped themselves to a massive 90point win over St Joseph’s at home thanks to a standout performance from Cortney Williamson, who kicked a game high five goals and was named best on ground in the 14.12 (96) to 1.0 (6) win. Claudia Gunjaca, Sophie O’Dea and Tahlia Tatlock also troubled the scorers and were named in the best for the Giants, for Joeys, Demi Grant kicked their only goal and was named best for them.
A strong start from the Tigers helped them secure a win against the Colac Imperials by 61 points at Burdoo reserve. The Tigers kicked four goals to nil in the opening term and held Colac to just one behind by the third term. Natalie French finished with four majors in the win, Briona Holten and Lauren French chimed in with two each. Ruby Manson and Nicole Spokes were the standouts for Colac.
Ocean Grove claimed the “Battle of the bridge” and were in form against Barwon Heads, holding them goalless in the 61-point win. Melinda Murray, Kristie-Lee Drake, Juliette Everett and Bridie Mitchell were named the standouts for the Grubbers.