Wrest Point TSLW Week 1 Finals Wrap
Week one of the Wrest Point Tasmanian State League Women’s finals saw Clarence secure a spot in the Grand Final and Launceston overpower the Tigers to win by 107 points, writes TSL W Digital Reporter Olivia Clayton.
First Semi Final
Sunday 2nd September
Launceston v. Tigers (Windsor Park) – 12:00pm
Launceston 17.12 (114) defeated the Tigers 1.1 (7) in the Semi Final at Windsor Park.
Megan Wilkinson kicked the Tigers only goal of the game which came in the first quarter as the visitors got off to a competitive start.
Launceston players Dearne Taylor, Emma Manix-geeves and Mikayla Binns kicked a goal each, ending the first quarter with a 16-point lead.
Manix-geeves came out in the second term and kicked another four goals for the Blues, while teammate Brie Rattray also kicked two goals this quarter, to increase Launceston’s lead to 53-points at half time.
The third quarter saw Abbey Green kick two goals for the Blues, and Ange Dickson and Meg Radford one apiece.
Green kicked another two in the final quarter for Launceston, and Dickson and Camilla Taylor kicked one each to win by 107-points.
Tigers coach, Brad Willis, says “it was a really tough game for our girls because of the pace of the game and Launceston’s ability to rotate freely and strongly through the midfield. Our pressure around the ball was arguably the best for the year and we contained Launceston for significant periods of time.”
“But if the ball got out their transition was quick and decisive and we didn’t have the legs to stem the flow. Ironically, in planning for their talls and executing pretty well with Rattray and Hill only kicking two between them, it was Emma Mannix-Geeves that got off the chain and was particularly damaging.”
“Despite the margin the girls were extremely pleased with their resilience and the way they fought the game out and certainly did not let down the supporters that made the trip north.”
“Gilly Millar was a tower of strength in the ruck and Roxanne Tyler continued her good form of the last month. Emerging talent Liz Kirkwood displayed plenty of dash, young defender Liarna Reid did not concede a goal and veterans Cara Brooke and Jess Murphy were relentless at the coal face,” Willis said.
Willis states he “came away from the game super proud of my team, but none the wiser as to the premiership favourite.”
“All three contenders present quite differently and it literally will be who bring their A game on the day. With the late inclusion of Brie Rattray now playing alongside Abbey Green and Georgia Hill it becomes the tallest forward line in the competition and will stretch both Glenorchy and Clarence. Whichever midfield gives their forwards the most opportunities will likely determine the eventual winner.”
Launceston coach, Alex Gibbins, says he “was really happy with our performance on the weekend. We had three late withdrawals which affected our rotations but our midfield battled really well and took the sting out of the game early.”
The Blues best players were Emma Manix-geeves, Ange Dickson, Abbey Green, Dearne Taylor, Amy Halaby and Mikayla Binns.
“Emma Mannix-Geeves broke the game open in the first half in the forward line as well as our midfield group getting on top in clearances.”
The Tigers finals dreams end here but Launceston will play Glenorchy this Saturday at Blundstone Arena for a spot in the Grand Final.
Launceston Football Club 3.5 9.6 13.9 17.12 (114)
Tigers Football Club 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 (7)
GOALS
Launceston Football Club: E. Manix-geeves 5, A. Green 4, A. Dickson 2, B. Rattray 2, C. Taylor, M. Binns, D. Taylor, M. Radford
Tigers Football Club: M. Wilkinson
BEST
Launceston Football Club: E. Manix-geeves, A. Dickson, A. Green, D. Taylor, A. Halaby, M. Binns
Tigers Football Club: G. Millar, E. Kirkwood, T. Roxann, L. Reid, J. Murphy, C. Brooke
Second Semi Final
Sunday 2nd September
Glenorchy v. Clarence (KGV) – 12:00pm
Clarence 3.12 (30) defeated Glenorchy 1.5 (11) at KGV for the second time in two weeks.
Clarence player, Sophie Pennicott, kicked the first goal of the game after she put it on her boot as she was dragged across the goal line.
Glenorchy managed to get on the scoreboard shortly after, with a behind after the siren from Holly Ryan, to see the Pies trail by eight points at the first break.
Sandy Eaton showed the Pies were still in it, kicking a goal not long after the opening bounce to put the margin at just two points early in the second term.
Both teams attempted to score a goal in the remainder of the quarter with no success, with the Pies scoring another two behinds to Clarence’s three behinds.
With the Roos leading at half time by three points, it was still anyone’s game.
The third quarter saw Glenorchy kick two behinds, and Clarence kick three behinds. Grace Mitchell kicked a goal for the Roos after the siren, to put them in the lead by nine points.
The Final quarter saw Clarence kick three behinds, and Natalie Pearce with a goal. Glenorchy player Mackie Sutcliffe also took a courageous mark in front of the Roos goal line, but the Pies were unable to score this quarter, finishing the game with a 19-point loss.
Glenorchy coach, Craig Grace, said the game “was played under intense pressure and although low scoring was a good showcase of female football.”
There were “no injuries but a number of sore bodies that we are managing through the week.”
The Pies best players were Natalie Daniels, Elise Barwick, Rachael Siely, Thomasa Corrie, Tahlia Strong and Jade Williams.
“Nat Daniels and Rachel Siely across the backline played really well and rebounded many of Clarence’s attacking moves.”
Clarence coach, Andy Smith, says “It was typical game of finals footy with the tempo going up a notch and both sides cracking in hard.”
“It’s good to get through to the Grand Final but there still a lot of work to do in the next two weeks.”
The Roos best players were Maddy Smith, Grace Mitchell, Georgia Pennicott, Bronte Scott, Jacinta Limbrick and Loveth Ochayi.
“Grace Mitchell kicked a big goal after the siren at 3/4 time to give us a little bit of momentum. It was a solid team performance.”
Clarence goes straight to the Grand Final, while minor premiers Glenorchy will have another life, with the winner of the clash between the Magpies and Blues set to determine the ‘Roos opponent in the Grand Final.
Glenorchy Football Club 0.1 1.3 1.5 1.5 (11)
Clarence Football Club 1.3 1.6 2.9 3.12 (30)
GOALS
Glenorchy Football Club: S. Eaton
Clarence Football Club: N. Pearce, G. Mitchell, S. Pennicott
BEST
Glenorchy Football Club: N. Daniels, E. Barwick, R. Siely, T. Corrie, T. Strong, J. Williams
Clarence Football Club: M. Smith, G. Mitchell, G. Pennicott, B. Scott, J. Limbrick, L. Ochayi
