FOOTSCRAY 0.2.2 1.4.10 1.4.10 3.7.25
GOALS - Collingwood: Garner 2, Hope, D'Arcy, Eva
BEST - Collingwood: Eva, Garner, Hutchins, Cameron, Kuys
INJURIES - Collingwood: Sheahan (knee)
REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil
OFFICIAL CROWD: 6733 at Whitten Oval
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COLLINGWOOD has its first win of the NAB AFL Women's competition, blitzing the Western Bulldogs in the third quarter to spark a seven-point win at the Whitten Oval on Saturday night. The Magpies kicked four goals in the third term alone, after coming into the match having scored just eight majors in total over their past three games. The burst set up the 5.2 (32) to 3.7 (25) win. The tight, scrappy affair was soured by a potentially serious knee injury to Collingwood rookie Kate Sheahan. The forward, coming in as an emergency for her first game, changed direction attempting to evade an opponent and fell to the ground clutching her knee just seconds before half-time. Sheahan, the daughter of veteran journalist Mike, was carried from the ground by trainers visibly distressed. Magpies coach Wayne Siekman said Sheahan will undergo scans to determine the extent of the injury. "Obviously it's a knee, and the docs let me know she will have scans on Monday," Siekman said. "Fingers crossed it's not the worst, that's all we can do at the moment, just hope for her." Ellie Blackburn, acting Bulldogs captain after the late withdrawal of Katie Brennan, wrestled her team back into the contest in the second quarter after a lacklustre opening term. She had 10 disposals to half-time, and finished with 19 for the match. Meg Hutchins was a rock in defence for the Magpies, cutting off numerous Bulldogs entries and setting up play with her booming right foot. Alicia Eva (14 disposals, one goal) and Jasmine Garner (two goals, five marks) were among the Magpies' best, especially in the third quarter. Jess Cameron's great ball skills set up Eva's goal. Cameron continually tapped the ball along the boundary line, evading two defenders, before handballing to Eva who snapped truly. With their season on the line, the Bulldogs came out firing in the fourth quarter, putting the Magpies under enormous pressure. Blackburn kicked a goal inside the first minute, with Kirsty Lamb adding her second minutes later. But the Magpies slowed the game down in the final minutes, chipping the ball around to the dismay of the Bulldogs' faithful, to hold on for their first win. The dynamic duo Sides have tried and failed to kerb the influence of Bulldogs midfielders Ellie Blackburn and Emma Kearney, and that was nearly the case again the case on Saturday night. Blackburn was taken as a marquee player by the Dogs and her class is evident. She runs hard, creates and brings teammates into the game. Kearney, while quieter than normal, still finished with 13 disposals. The two seem to work as a tag-team – one is dominant while the other is quiet. If the two get going at the same time, the Bulldogs will be tough to beat. The premiership quarter The Magpies have struggled all season to kick goals, with poor delivery inside 50 a serious issue. But they were much more direct on Saturday night, constantly putting pressure on defenders, and kicked four goals in the crucial third term while holding the Bulldogs scoreless. Got the job done Questions surrounded the Bulldogs' scoring power, especially after the late withdrawal of marquee forward Katie Brennan. But Kirsty Lamb, who plays for Melbourne Uni and cricket for Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League, stepped up and filled some of the breach. While not as skilful as Brennan, she kicked two goals and provided a useful target in the forward line. The game-changer At 163cm, Alicia Eva is one of the smaller players on Collingwood's list, but she's also one of the more ferocious. She hassles opponents, disposes of the ball well, and is dangerous around goal. But she showed another side to her game on Saturday night, going head to head with the damaging Emma Kearney (leading disposals for the competition) and just shading her, finishing with 14 disposals and a goal to Kearney's 13. Say what? "Where did it get away from us? Probably that five-minute patch in the third quarter where they kicked three or four goals. We couldn't stem the flow there, but after that we could." – Western Bulldogs coach Paul Groves "It was good that we played in similar conditions as last week in Brisbane with the breeze. That third quarter we got our reward, which set us up for victory." – Collingwood coach Wayne Siekman What's next? Collingwood will travel to Rushton Park in Perth to play Fremantle, also on Saturday morning. Both matches are double-headers with the men's sides. Collingwood notched up their first win of the season with a second-half surge that blew the Western Bulldogs away at Whitten Oval on Saturday night. Moana Hope shrugged of the mid-week criticism to boot a strong goal, the first of the match. She played her part but did not star in the 5.2 (32) to 3.7 (25) win. It was a scrappy first quarter and a couple of missed opportunities from the Bulldogs forwards saw them go into the first break five points down. The Doggies' Kirsty Lamb got her team's first major score early in the second and the teams were neck-and-neck at half time. But Collingwood lifted after the main break, booting four goals and leaving the Doggies in their wake, It felt like football weather - a cool February night with a strong breeze and more than 6700 fans created a lively atmosphere at the Whitten Oval. The only downside was a strong smell emanating from the portaloos at the Yarraville end of the ground, which intermittently had fans covering their faces with scarves. Why Collingwood won The Western Bulldogs missed star forward Katie Brennan, who has been troubled by an ankle injury. They should have reached halftime well ahead, as they lead the statistics sheet with more disposals, tackles and inside-50s. But they simply could not convert in front of goal and as the game wore on, Collingwood gained confidence. After struggling all year, the Pies were not about to let the opportunity to win their first game slip way from them. Meg Hutchins was a strong presence at half-back and Jess Cameron and Alicia Eva were potent up forward. The Western Bulldogs had their chances, but Collingwood deserved the win. Play of the day Dynamic forward Cameron shrugged off two Bulldogs defenders to tap the ball well into Collingwood's forward 50. She eventually showed clean hands in scooping it up and hand passing to Eva, who snapped a beautiful Collingwood goal, opening the floodgates for the Pies. The moment people will talk about Kate Sheahan's worrisome injury late in the second quarter will be talked about for all the wrong reasons. The professional tennis coach had the ball on the flank and side-stepped to avoid a tackle when her knee appeared to give way, sending her tumbling to the ground. Sheahan, who in her mid-30s is among the oldest AFLW players, was a picture of pain when she was carried off the ground as cameras panned to her famous football journalist father Mike Sheahan in the stands. She later appeared on the sidelines wearing a tracksuit and walking on crutches. What the results mean Neither the Western Bulldogs nor Collingwood will play in this year's grand final, but for both teams pride was on the line. Highly regarded before the start of the season, the Bulldogs have been competitive, but have only one win from four matches to their names. Saturday night's match was their last at Whitten Oval this season and the Doggies would have loved to have won in front the home crowd. It was Collingwood's first win in the AFLW and they fought hard to achieve it. The Pies will be relieved to get the win and gain confidence ahead of their next match, against fellow battlers Fremantle. |
COLLINGWOOD posted its first win in AFLW which has all-but ended the Bulldogs' grand final hopes. Eliza Sewell takes a look at the talking points to emerge from the game at Whitten Oval. Injuries could prove the difference in who wins the flag Bulldogs coach Paul Groves had said it many times this season — the side that keeps its stars on the park will win the AFLW flag. The Bulldogs were without captain Katie Brennan for the second week, her ankle keeping her out again, and their forward line was dysfunctional. They were also missing ruck Aasta O'Connor while mid/small forward Jamie Lambert has looked out of sorts the past few weeks. Carlton was without star playmaker Bri Davey and it hurt in the Blues' loss to Melbourne. It's a cruel game Kate Sheehan had waited her entire life for the opportunity to play AFL football and finally got her chance last night at the age of 35. She sat patiently at full forward for a small stint in the first quarter and then in the second got her first touch of the Sherrin. She gathered the ball on the wing and as she went to sidestep around Angelica Gogos her left knee buckled and she went down in extreme pain. Sheahan was carried from the ground in tears as her father, legendary Herald Sun chief football writer Mike, watched on. Ellie Blackburn leads from the front The stand in captain had the home crowd cheering when she kicked a goal in the opening minute of the last quarter. The Bulldogs looked gone 22 points down at the last break, but when Hannah Scott won the ball at half-back and booted it long to a running Blackburn, the Dogs were suddenly back in it. The Magpies were just holding on, while the Bulldogs were charging. Kirsty Lamb kicked her second of the game and it was a seven point ball game. But it wasn't enough. Blackburn's usual partner in crime Emma Kearney didn't have the impact we're used to, being well held by Alicia Eva and Brittany Bonnici. Jazzy J She lives in the shadow of teammate Mo Hope at VFL Women's club St Kilda, but Jasmine Garner was the standout forward. She played a crucial role on the wing and high forward with her marking and kicks into attack setting up several scoring opportunities. She also kicked two goals in the crucial third quarter, where the Magpies took a 22-point lead. Hope still waiting to kick a bag Moana Hope is a confidence player and the opening moments would have stirred her. She was last out of the race as the Magpies were cheered onto the Whitten Oval, but was the first to score. Her opening goal came after a free kick when she was monstered by three Bulldogs without the ball. She started higher inside 50 and the Magpies were giving her space. A lead and mark could have easily led to her second goal of the first term, but she only registered a point. Where to now for the Magpies and the Bulldogs? Collingwood is sixth and a grand final berth is a pipe dream, while it appears season done for the Bulldogs. Only poor performances by rivals will get the Bulldogs to the last day of March. The Magpies have to travel to Mandurah next week to face Fremantle and then finally, six rounds in, they will play their first home game at Olympic Park. It's against the Giants so you'd think capacity wouldn't be a problem and the match will stay put. Collingwood will know more about the severity of AFLW debutant Kate Sheahan's injury on Monday, when the forward will be sent for scans on her left knee. In an historic evening at Whitten Oval, Sheahan endured a bittersweet 24 hours. On Friday, the 35-year-old's childhood dream came true, when coach Wayne Siekman informed her she would be making her AFLW debut for the Magpies as a late inclusion against the Bulldogs. "Kate was so excited when she got the news," Siekman told the media at his post-match press conference. "When it was announced she was playing on the bus, she was in tears. "The whole group of players got around her and nearly jumped on her because they were so excited for her to get the opportunity." Pre-game, Sheahan was supported by family and friends in the rooms, including her father and well-renowned AFL journalist, Mike Sheahan. Australian tennis star, Daria Gavrilova – one of Kate's best friends and former housemate – was also in the rooms cheering on the small forward before the big game. The rookie-listed Sheahan was a late inclusion for forward Christina Bernadi, who doctors took a precautious approach with after suffering a head knock during last week's game against the Lions. After starting in the forward pocket, Sheahan pushed up onto the wing to find the ball in the second quarter. Sadly, while trying to sidestep one of the Bulldogs tacklers, her left knee buckled, and she went to ground in extreme discomfort. "I didn't see the incident (as I was coaching from the bench), but she'll go for scans on Monday," Siekman said. "Fingers crossed it's not the worst case for Kate." Sheahan was carried off the ground by the medical staff, and would not return to action for the rest of the game. She re-joined the bench in a tracksuit and crutches during the third term to cheer on her fellow Magpies. After running out of the top of the Bulldogs by seven points to claim victory, she joined her teammates on the field, celebrating emphatically in what was an emotional rollercoaster of an evening. Siekman said it was a "relief" to get the first win on the board, and credited the team's improvement from last week's performance against the Lions. "We had great positive signs last week. We knew how to play a good half of footy. In the third term tonight, we got more reward for effort on the scoreboard, and that ultimately set up our victory in the end. The Magpies piled on four unanswered goals after the half time break, with forward Jasmine Garner proving influential with two back-to-back goals in the period. Vice-captain Alicia Eva was one of the standout performers, amassing 14 disposals, three marks, eight tackles, one goal, as well as shutting down the Bulldogs' ball magnet, Emma Kearney after half-time. "Eva was up for the challenge (of playing on Kearney) and did what the team needed." "It was a big effort by Alicia and the team to get that result tonight." Siekman said he had 22 contributors on the field tonight, and that was the most pleasing factor of the win. "It's just great for our players – we are the biggest club in the country. "Our team is building towards something special – we all worked towards one goal to win tonight, and we'll hope to do the same next week when we take on Freo." Both Collingwood's women's and men's teams will travel to WA next week, where they'll take on Fremantle in a double-header for their respective AFLW and JLT Community Series matches. Collingwood women's team will be first up, when they meet the Dockers at Rushton Park, with the match set for a 1:35pm (AEST) start time.
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