GFCW extend winning momentum in Round 4

Glenelg Women cement their spot at the top with a fourth win in a row.

Our Round 4 clash against West Adelaide, we anticipated a fiercely contested battle between two top teams. Despite facing five forced changes to our line-up since last week, we were determined to maintain our winning momentum.

The game was a highly contested affair with both teams’ stat sheets were evenly matched. We know that West Adelaide like a contested game, so I was pleased that we could hold a commendable +19 in contested possessions and dominating the inside 50s with a tally of 36 compared to West Adelaide’s 19. Offensive movement has been a focus for us this preseason, as well as our contest method so this is on par with our previous matches. However, our inaccurate kicking, resulting in only 2 goals from 12 attempts, proved to be a significant challenge.

The game kicked off with a strong start in the first half, where we dominated and had opportunities early in the first, but a lack of composure meant we couldn’t covert. West using the wind to their advantage as the quarter went on saw them kick the first of the game. Losing Ellie Kellock early, meant the magnets had to be shuffled around, also something we have encouraged in preseason. We just couldn’t capitalize on our opportunities and ended the first with 4 points to our tally. The second, we managed to hit back, notably with a crucial goal from Piper Window after a strong mark.

Heading into the second half, West Adelaide had most of the momentum kicking 2 goals before we could gain one back heading into the last quarter. Heading into the final break trailing by just one point, we were confident of our chances, finishing strong has been a focus for us this season. Despite dominating inside 50s in the last quarter, 12-3, we struggled to convert possession into points due to breakdowns in our forward line as West pushed many spares ahead of the ball. Ultimately, we could only manage to add 3 points in the final moments of the game, which was enough for us to sneak a win away at Hisense Stadium. However, we demonstrated resilience and determination, grinding out each quarter in a fiercely contested match.

With this hard-fought victory, Glenelg sits a win clear on the table, setting a strong foundation for the rest of the season.

Individual performances shone through amidst the intensity of the match. Jess Bates delivered another stellar performance with an impressive 30 disposals and 17 tackles. Violet Patterson’s midfield prowess was evident with 25 disposals and 10 tackles, while Piper Window’s influential performance, marked by 24 disposals and a goal with her 7 marks, bolstered our efforts. Ella Boag showcased her defensive prowess with 20 disposals, marking her best game of the season, while Brooke Tonon’s livewire presence in the forward line, highlighted by nine crucial marks, three contested, injected vitality into our attacking plays. Poppy Scholz returned from Netball commitments to dominate in the air, particular in crucial moments finishing with 16 and 6 marks.

Grinding out a tough game not only adds valuable points to the scoreboard but also instils a sense of resilience and unity within the team. These hard-fought battles serve as crucial learning experiences, providing insights into areas for improvement and highlighting the strengths that can be further honed. Moreover, overcoming such challenges fosters a strong sense of confidence and belief in the squads abilities, which can be carried forward into future matches throughout the season.

Best Players:
Scholz, Bates, Tonon, Window, Patterson, Dyer

– Lexia Edwards, Senior Coach