GFCW with a gutsy win in Round 14

Its nice to be back on the winners list, although we had to do it the hard way.
We knew going into the game that a win would secure second place on the ladder, and with it a second chance. We trailed by 15 points heading into the last quarter and pulled out a gutsy effort to win by a single point.

The game started with some really hard, fast pressure from Woodville West Torrens, which halted our abilty to head into the strong breeze to start with. We controlled the ball for the most part, but just didn’t account for the wind, with many shots dropping short. Leading uncontested possessions by 17 and marks by 13, we just lapsed 8 minutes in to allow 2 goals over the back from fast transition of Woodville. A focus for us in review has been to stifle momentum when we need to, and I was glad we were able to implement this heading into the second quarter.

A great running goal to Matilda Wilmore in the second brought the scoreline back to 7 points, and again leading marks and uncontested possession we controlled most of the play on the outside. We just took a little while for our synergy to get going having welcomed back 5 players this week through absence and injury and our decision making was slow allowing good defensive set up from Eagles. We allowed the ball to stay within the Eagles forward line for too long, but our backline remained strong keeping Eagles to a single behind for the quarter.

Third quarter again with the breeze Eagles managed a goal, but we had lifted our pressure with the tackle count back to even. Still double the marks we just couldn’t get the ball through the sticks and went into the last quarter down by 15, with nothing to lose. The last quarter took a little while to wrestle momentum back after a relatively tight midfield battle where Eagles were really content for repeat stoppage. Our midfield managed to open it up and our pressure had returned to the standard we expect of our group, leading the tackle count 19-1 early in the quarter, finishing +15 meant that we were able to force turnover. We played with surge, passion, and endeavour with the ball and more pleasingly, looked like we found our method with our offense again. Jo Miller kicked her first SANFLW goal after a couple of points in previous games and it provided the spark the group needed. Eldridge soon followed with a strong mark and set shot. Eloise Mackereth stole the lead after missing an easy set shot moments earlier with a great kick around the body. Eagles had their opportunity after a couple of errant kicks on the run, with the Tigers managing to hold on.

Marie Martino in the backline had a superb game, finishing with 26 disposals, 9 marks and tackles in an all-round performance. Aided with Jo Miller again with 25 disposals, 3 tackles, 5 clearances and a goal. Its nice to see some familiar faces back in the league side, and now we have a weight off our shoulders we look forward to bringing our best football as we begin our finals campaign.

– Lexia Edwards, Senior Coach

Goals: Eldridge, Mackereth, Miller, Wilmore