VFL Women's Round 7 2016 - Seaford Tigerettes v Geelong Magpies
- Jun 6, 2016
- 3 min read
Seaford have waded through atrocious conditions to claim their third win of the season over Geelong by 37 points at Piranha Park.
The sides took to the soggy field prepared to throw all finesse out the window from the first bounce (which had to be moved to the Harding St wing because the centre was such a quagmire following the Coburg v Richmond match). Clearly, the side who was most prepared to slosh through the slush would be putting themselves in the best position to win but efficient disposal would also be crucial to make the most of anticipated limited opportunities.
Seaford, rapidly gaining a reputation for their uncompromising attacks at stoppages, didn’t want for in-and-under types with Danielle Lawrence, Tiara Annear and Lana Bonnet showing a flippant disregard for their own safety as they fought for clearances. Geelong were able to match the Tigerettes’ intensity as Riley Shapter and Lily Mithen pushed the Magpies forward.
With play bogged in their forward line early, it seemed that Geelong were intent on keeping the Seaford defence under siege and converting from their opportunities when the Tigerettes lost control. However, they were unable to hit the scoreboard as play was reduced to a stagger. Seaford managed to boot the ball over the back and go coast-to-coast for Stacey Conway to neatly soccer through the first and only major of the term.
The rain just wouldn’t give the teams a break in the second quarter but Seaford were able to maintain just enough polish to shine through the mud. They successfully shut play within their forward line and, try as Geelong’s defenders did, they couldn’t mount any rebound. Jaime Woollett, Krista Woodroffe and Aliesha McLean were indomitable but repeatedly turned the ball over coming out of defence – spectators wouldn’t have blamed the Magpies if they were quietly lamenting the absence of Richelle Cranston, playing crosstown for the Western Bulldogs.
Tigerette full-forward Emma Hall converted from a holding the ball free to push the half time margin out to 13 points – the equivalent of six goals on a dry game given the situation of the match.
Geelong needed quick goals in the second half but could only scrounge behinds from their early efforts. Their luck then worsened with the now torrential downpour: five minutes in, Conway received a 25 metre penalty for a mark infringement to pop through her second.
With a handy three goal lead, Seaford pressed their advantage by bringing their midfield closer to the forward line. This brought more of their game-winners into the contest: Sarah Hosking, briefly impervious to the conditions, kicked an incredible goal from thirty out in the forward pocket to all but finish Geelong’s hopes.
The sun slowly crept towards Piranha Park in the final quarter but the rain stubbornly stayed as the two fatigued teams slogged out a tired last quarter. Tigerettes Hall and Natalie Plane put the icing on the cake halfway through the term. Who needs to win pretty when you just keep winning?
A great duel was fought in the ruck between Seaford’s Kate Gillespie-Jones and Geelong’s Maddie Boyd. The pair were Melbourne teammates two weeks ago but there were no niceties in their terrific efforts in the air and at ground level. Although Boyd was able to pressure Gillespie-Jones into getting caught with the ball, Seaford had depth to give their ruckman support and push the ball forward.
Seaford coach Brett Alexander said his side had played the conditions well and could now look to push up the ladder.
“We didn’t over-possess, we looked to just go a one-handball, one-kick,” says Alexander. “We’re now winning matches we’re expected to, and you’ve got to do that.”
Seaford 1.1 2.1 4.5 6.6.42 Geelong 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.5.5 Best – (S) Lawrence, Thompson, S Hosking, Annear, J Hosking, Gillespie-Jones. - (G) Boyd, Woollett, Woodroffe, McLean, Mithen, Shapter. Goals – (S) Conway 2, Hall 2, S Hosking, Plane.
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