VFL Women's Round 6 2016- Cranbourne v VU Western Spurs

May 15, 2016
3 min read

The VU Western Spurs have rolled over the top of Cranbourne with a dominant last quarter to claim their third win of the season by 49 points.

In windy conditions at Frenken Homes Oval, composure and judgment were always going to be crucial. Cranbourne had plenty of both early as they played the weather better than their more fancied opponents. Ruckman Cara Moody dominated, allowing midfielders Hayley Wildes and Kirsten McLeod to generate forward entry. The Cranbourne forwards applied fantastic pressure whilst trapping the ball inside through a well-implemented zone defence. McLeod looked as if her 50th game for the Eagles would be a day out as she kicked two in the first quarter.

However, the Spurs were able to make the most of their opportunities as full forward Alyssa Mifsud saw off Cranbourne’s key defenders one-by-one. Showing unstoppable strength in the air, Mifsud kicked three goals to keep her side within touch.

The Spurs still couldn’t navigate the wind as they kicked to the attacking end in the second quarter. Although captain Bree White and half-back Amy Harrison continued to sweep across the defensive side of contests, the pressure of the Cranbourne backline was resolute. Eagles’ defenders Bianca Jakobsson and Corrine Cullis were happy to let the quarter pass in scrappy stoppages but their midfielders still looked potent as they ran forward through Marlee Tatham and Breann Moody. The Eagles even landed a sneaky blow of their own when McLeod nailed a set shot into the wind.

Leading by just two points at the main break and with Mifsud put on the leash by Cranbourne tall Danielle Hardiman, the Spurs needed to conquer the wind if they were to turn the tables on the Eagles. The answer came to them in the rejuvenated efforts of Kylie Nicolaci and Alexandra Quigley. Alongside full back Danni Teasdale, Nicolaci drove the Spurs forward against the breeze as they unexpectedly held the ball inside their attacking zone for much of the quarter. Quigley proved a livewire up forward, holding a contested mark in the square to goal and cleverly setting up another to see the Spurs hold the lead going into the final quarter.

Expecting a thrilling dogfight befitting the previous three quarters, supporters of both sides were surprised by the one-way street that was the last quarter. The Eagles appeared nervous going forward and when the Spurs kicked a coast-to-coast goal from a kick-in to push the margin to 14 points, the floodgates opened. Jess Francke dined out with three of the Spurs’ seven final quarter goals to blow the margin out to a most disproportionate 49 points.

VU Western Spurs’ coach Debbie Lee said her side were slow to adjust their game to the wind.

“In the first half we didn’t play to conditions. It wasn’t until the third quarter that we started playing smart, and you could see that reflected on the contest,” said Lee.

“What was really crucial was Mifsud in the centre, she had two clearances that led directly to goals.”

The VU Western Spurs travel to Melbourne University next week while Cranbourne will play the Eastern Devils.

VU Western Spurs 3.2 5.5 7.6 14.13.97 Cranbourne Eagles 4.3 5.3 7.3 7.6.48 Best – (VU) Harrison, Mifsud, White, Teasdale, Nicolaci, Quigley. - (C) Hardiman, Wildes, McLeod, C Moody, Tatham, B Moody. Goals – (VU) Mifsud 3, Francke 3, Ferres 2, White, Gunn, Nicolaci, Quigley, Dockery, Lampard. - (C) McLeod 2, Wildes 2, Clarkson, Tomamichel, Tatham.