Round 8 Women’s Match Report

West Adelaide 3.8(26) Def Central Districts 1.4 (10)

Our focus this week had been on addressing our starts to the game. We also welcomed back Rachelle Martin, Emma Smith and Bridie Stouppos, adding depth to our midfield rotations, which had been lacking in recent games.

I was pleased with our 1st quarter. We controlled the ball for long periods in our forward half, locking the ball in with our pressure around the contest. With our energy up we had a number of opportunities to score. Mel Elsegood marked and kicked truly but overall we wasted a couple of goal scoring opportunities to lead by 9 points at the first break.

The second quarter saw more of the same. We had identified Centrals would try and make the game a congested physical contest but if we could get the ball outside of the contest to our speedy wingers in Bec Owen and Helen Maidment we could use the size of the ground to run and move the ball quickly on offensive transition. To a certain extent we were able to do this however, the last kick inside forward 50 let us down to some degree. With Centrals getting extra numbers around the stoppages, the game became a stalemate and we held our 9 point lead at the break.

We again started the 3rd quarter well, controlling the ball and providing opportunities to our forwards. Chelsea Biddell was able to hit the scoreboard and extend our lead before Centrals fought back with a goal of their own. Our ball movement had slowed with the game becoming more contested the longer it went. When Meg Rich found Chelsea Biddell to mark on a lead in the last quarter and convert the goal, her 14th for the season, we had assumed an unassailable 16 point lead which we held until the end.

It was pleasing to get the win and keep our finals hopes alive. The effort provided by the team was good. We still need to work on our ball movement and making the most of our opportunities when we get them.

After playing our last 4 games away this week we come back home to play the Eagles after the League game on Good Friday. It would be fantastic to see the club supporters remain on to support and watch the girls.

Goal Kickers: C. Biddell 2, M. Elsegood 1

Best Players T. Hoffmann, C. Biddell, R. Owen, K. Culhane, H. Maidment, R. Martin