AFLW r5 v Greater Western Sydney at Robertson Oval, Wagga Wagga

5.10pm Saturday 7 March 2020

I have missed all of our AFLW matches since round 1 which isn’t good and our team still haven’t won a game which isn’t good either.  On the other hand, at least I haven’t missed our first win in this competition.

This match isn’t on the telly but the streaming over the internet thingy works surprisingly well.  For the first half I’m getting dinner ready as I watch but for the second half I plug the laptop into the telly and enjoy – if that’s the word – the game from the couch.

Our first quarter is pretty good.  After the Giants get the first goal Conti makes a great run through the middle, kicks long from outside 50 and the ball is gathered and kicked through the big sticks by Bernardi and there’s only two points in it.  But not too long after that Privitelli gets away from her several Tiger defenders to mark and goal.  I don’t think much of it at the time, but it sets a pattern of sleepy defending that will hurt us badly.

Quarter time score:  GWS 2.5.17 to Richmond 1.1.7

The Giants are clearly the better team in the second term but miss lots of chances.  Stahl takes a very brave mark in the middle of the ground for us and Monahan clears well from defence a couple of times but there seems to be little system to our game and passes rarely find a team-mate.  At the main break only the Giants’ poor kicking for goal is keeping us in it.

Half-time score:  GWS 3.8.26 to Richmond 1.2.8

The Giants keep missing in the third term, but it seems that even their points will be enough to beat us.  Beeson hits the post after marking Privitelli’s pass very easily and then Barr misses from right in front.  Grace Campbell defends bravely for the Tigers and wins a free but the siege of our backline continues and the inside-50 count is 21 to 10 for the afternoon.

From a stoppage the Giants’ Irish giant Staunton storms through and kicks another goal.  Privitelli takes another very good mark and hits the post.  Richmond attack a couple of times but can’t find the big sticks either.  Frederick takes a big mark 55 out but Conti can’t hold her kick into the 50 and nothing comes of it.  Frederick marks again, runs into the forward line and kicks a point and at the last break it’s the Giants by 28.

Three-quarter-time score:  GWS 4.13.37 to Richmond 1.3.9

Phoebe Monahan is moved into the middle in the last quarter which might be a good move.  We need something to change, that’s for sure.  On the other hand, we probably miss her in the back-line and the Giant’s pile on the damage in the last.  After Bernardi kicks another point from a set shot Staunton marks again, plays on again and kicks her third.

Frederick hits the behind post and the Giants attack again.  Staunton marks and plays on, yet again and goals and it seems as if nobody wants to tackle her.

Hannah Burchell for the Tigers wins a holding-the-ball free for a very good tackle, but her kick falls short.  Monahan snaps and misses.  There’s a big scuffle near the bench, the Giants are awarded a 50 and Staunton marks yet again.  Privitelli marks her kick and scores from the tight angle with seven seconds left.  The siren is a great relief.  It’s the Giants’ highest ever AFLW score and their biggest ever winning margin.

Summary

Not a lot of joy for the Tigers this afternoon.  The effort and ferocity which were a real feature of our game in round one seem to have lessened and a more skilful and experienced team like the Giants can then do much as they please. This seems especially so in the last quarter when the Giants buried us.

Best players for Richmond:  Conti, Monahan, Bernardi, Frederick.  Grace Campbell also showed some skill and bravery and Kate Dempsey showed promise in her first AFLW match.

The Maureen for best player
5 votes – Monica Conti
4 votes – Phoebe Monahan
3 votes – Christina Bernardi
2 votes – Sabrina Frederick
1 votes – Grace Campbell 

Leaderboard
20 Monahan
18 Conti
10 Campbell
8 Bernardi
6 Wakefield
4 Makur Chuot, Frederick
2 Brennan, Edmonds
1 Stahl

The Kate Sheahan Shield for players recruited with AFLW experience [eligible: Burchall, Bailey, Tesoreiro, Frederick, Bernardi, Conti, Whitford, Ross, Makur Chuot, Monahan]
20 Monahan
18 Conti
8 Bernardi
4 Makur Chuot, Frederick
2 Brennan

The Peggy O’Neal Claret Jug for best AFLW first year player [eligible: everyone else not in above list]
10 Campbell
6 Wakefield
2 Edmonds

The Kate Dixon Grip of Death for our top tackler
25 – Conti, Jacques,
22 – Campbell
21 – Sansonetti
17 – Woodward
16 – Brennan
14 – Molan, Monahan