Match Reports

GFCW Round 3 Game Review

5 years ago – March 3, 2020

A week really is a long time in football!

Five changes were made at selection from the previous week’s team, with Lauren Kenny and Brooke Tonon making their debut. At a tender young age of 16, Brooke is a talented junior from our South East country zone who started schooling in Adelaide in 2020 and settled into our program really well. Jess Searle and Melinda Speechley played their first games for the season, while Caitlin Gould returned to us after being drafted by the Adelaide Crows in 2019 and having played for them the previous two weeks.

Off the back of a disappointing loss last week, where we didn’t fire any shots whatsoever, the challenge was squarely on the coaches and playing group to improve significantly and quickly as we prepared to take on a vastly improved Central District team. Full credit to our leaders who led the way to ensure morale remained positive and training standards continued to be high throughout the week. The overall vibe during the week and before the game was nothing but positive, as the group appeared super keen to make amends.

From the first bounce to the final siren we displayed our brand for the first time this season. It was strong and completely recognisable to what we trained throughout the entire preseason.

Caitlin Gould and Soriah Moon were great contributors in the Ruck, with our midfield supporting their good work and competing fiercely to help us control the territory battle in the first half. Our backline was strong despite having momentum go against us at times. Most pleasing was the return of our pressure to keep the ball in our forward half, which was led by Jordana Bradley and Lauren Kenny.

At half time we led by 37 points. We had five goals on the board with five different goal scorers. This included one to our young debutant, Brooke Tonon, who was swamped by all her team mates. Brooke’s performance showed exactly why she is going to be one to watch out for in the years to come.

Early in the second half, Central District began to get some control in the midfield, which had our midfield and backline under pressure. Pleasingly, we had clearly learnt some lessons from the last two weeks and we displayed a much better effort to absorb the pressure until we were able to get momentum back.

Whilst it was a genuine all round team performance as the stats suggests, Ellie Kellock was strong in the contest all game and set the tone early with her typically courageous attack on the ball. Caitlin Gould showed us why she was drafted by the Crows, with strong game in the Ruck and a good presence forward. Melinda Speechley and Jess Searle provided a good link to our forward line. Madi Freeman returned to form, Lucy Armitage contributed well over 4 quarters, and Lauren Fisher and Soriah Moon showed further development in just their 3rd game.

In the end, we had 20 scoring shots to 5, which was pleasing, but inaccuracy in front of goal cost us some much needed percentage.

This week we have a bye, giving us an extra week to prepare for Woodville-West Torrens, who despite their current win-loss record, have been tough and highly competitive. Our round 4 game is 6pm Friday 13th March against the Eagles at X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth.

– Jason Fairall, Senior Coach