Wrest Point TSLW Round 14 Wrap
Round 14 of the Wrest Point Tasmanian State League Women’s season saw both games played in wet and windy conditions with Burnie hosting Clarence at Wivenhoe Showgrounds, and Launceston taking on the Tigers at Morven Park, Evandale, writes TSL W Digital Reporter Olivia Clayton.
Sunday 29th July
Burnie v. Clarence (Wivenhoe Showgrounds) – 12:00pm
Clarence defeated Burnie 12.3 (75) to 1.1 (7) in round fourteen at Wivenhoe Showgrounds in wet and windy conditions.
Clarence kicked two goals in the first quarter and one in the second, while keeping the Dockers scoreless to open up an 18-point lead at the main break
The third term saw Burnie kick a behind, and Isabella Henwood kick the Dockers first goal of the game, but it was the visitors who extended the leaad, kicking another four goals to lead by 38 points heading into the final term.
Burnie were unable to score in the fourth quarter, whilst the Roos kicked another five goals to finish with a big 68-point win.
Keeghan Smith kicked three goals for Clarence, Jacinta Limbrick, Natalie Heggie and Hannah Scott two, and Tarn Ford, Bella Goward and Grace Mitchell one each.
Clarence coach, Andy Smith, thought that “the girls were pretty courageous with their output given we were short on rotations for the day and the conditions were very wet and windy.”
“There were a few sore bodies from playing in the wet conditions but nothing serious.”
The Roos best players were Sophie Pennicott, Grace Mitchell, Jenna Farrow, Bella Goward, Darcy Elliston and Rachel Archer.
“Bella Goward made her debut for the club and had a very solid game. Sophie Pennicott continued her good form. Grace Mitchell had clean skills in wet conditions and provided plenty of run.”
Burnie coach, Richard Mulcahy, agreed that the match was a hard-fought affair.
“Sunday’s game was a tough contest played in heavy conditions due to rain overnight and through the day. We were competitive in the first half but seemed to run out of legs in the mud as the ‘Roos took control in the second half.
“[It was a] great team effort by Clarence as they were struggling for numbers on the day.
“[It was a] good learning experience for our team. We had a few minor injuries, [we are] hoping they will all be right for Sunday.”
The Dockers best players were Chloe Haines, Libby Haines, Lauren Stevenson, Courtney Chandler, Jessica Brown and Emily Doig.
“The Haines twins, Lauren Stevenson and Jess Brown were our best on the day,” Mulchay said.
Burnie remains in fifth place on the ladder, and Clarence stays in second place, just one game in front of Launceston which could potentially change after this week, with the ‘Roos hosting Launceston at Blundstone Arena and the Dockers facing Glenorchy at KGV in round 15.
Burnie Football Club 0.0 0.0 1.1 1.1 (7)
Clarence Football Club 2.0 3.0 7.3 12.3 (75)
GOALS
Burnie Football Club: I. Henwood
Clarence Football Club: K. Smith 3, J. Limbrick 2, N. Heggie 2, H. Scott 2, T. Ford, B. Goward, G. Mitchell
BEST
Burnie Football Club: C. Haines, L. Haines, L. Stevenson, C. Chandler, J. Brown, E. Doig
Clarence Football Club: S. Pennicott, G. Mitchell, J. Farrow, B. Goward, D. Elliston, R. Archer
Sunday 29th July
Launceston v. Tigers (Morven Park, Evandale) – 1:00pm
Launceston 7.10 (52) defeated the Tigers 0.1 (1) in tough playing conditions at Morven Park, Evandale in round 14.
The reigning premiers opened up a handy buffer by quarter time, kicking two goals to the Tigers none to take a 15-point lead into the first break.
The Tigers hit the scoreboard in the second quarter kicking a behind, however, the Blues increased their lead to 28 points after kicking four goals and two behinds.
The Tigers were unable to score the rest of the game but did hold the Blues to just one goal and two behinds in the third term, and three behinds in the final quarter.
Launceston finished with a 51-point win, with Courtney Webb kicking three goals, Abbey Green two, and Mikayla Binns and Georgia Hill one each.
Launceston coach, Alex Gibbons acknowledged that the conditions made for a hard-fought contest.
“The game against Tigers was hard fought in really tough conditions for both teams. It was a day of just surging the ball forward in a heavily congested game.
“Inside 50s for both teams were hard to come by and pretty even over the day.
“We just had a bit more polish and potency up forward to capitalise on our entries than [the] Tigers.”
The Blues escaped without any major injuries, with Mikayla Binns, Abbey Green, Courtney Webb, Kate McLaughlin, Dearne Taylor and Ange Dickson the standouts.
“We welcomed back Mikayla Binns for her first game of the year, and she was the standout for us, and will be a very handy addition for us in the latter parts of the season,” Gibbons said.
Tigers coach, Brad Willis considered Sunday’s encounter to be an example of the footy of yesteryear.
“Sunday was a throwback to the good old days – suburban ground, mud, water and windy.
“At the end of the day Launceston’s edge in class and clean hands won the day, but it was more of a contest than the scores indicated.
“They [Launceston] got away at the back end of the second quarter when they rattled on a succession of goals – fatigue set in and we couldn’t cope with their flow.
“It could have been a blow out in the second half with just one on the bench, but we dug deep and restricted Launceston to just 11 points and for the day and were only -6 in inside 50s.”
The Tigers best players were Marla Neal, Cara Brooke, Olivia McGow, Hannah Squires, Jess Murphy and Milly Smith.
“The engine room of Marla Neal, Cara Brooke and Olivia McGow had a great battle with the Blues midfield, and once again Milly Smith shouldered the bulk of the ruck work. Jess Murphy and Liarna Reid defended stoutly, and Hannah Squires showed signs that she is getting back to her best after a long lay off,” Willis said.
“Roxy Tyler had to come off when she was blindsided by the ball being kicked into her face. Bad enough on a dry day, copping a whack from a wet heavy ball flush in the face will require a clearance before the next game.”
Although the game was contested in wet, tough conditions, Willis was full of praise for the hosts Evandale Football Club.
“Many thanks to the Evandale Football Club for their hospitality and helping us to make the best of tough conditions.”
At the end of round 14 The Tigers remain in fourth place on the ladder, and Launceston stays in third place, just one game behind Clarence in second.
The Tigers have a week off with the bye and Launceston will go head to head with Clarence at Blundstone Arena in round 15.
Launceston Football Club 2.3 6.5 7.7 7.10 (52)
Tigers Football Club 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 (1)
GOALS
Launceston Football Club: C. Webb 3, A. Green 2, M. Binns, G. Hill
BEST
Launceston Football Club: M. Binns, A. Green, C. Webb, K. McLaughlin, D. Taylor, A. Dickson
Tigers Football Club: M. Neal, C. Brooke, O. McGow, H. Squires, J. Murphy, M. Smith
