It was another beautiful, weather-bureau-defying morning for footy and the footy mums were out together watching their awesome girls and boys play. At this point I have to disclose that I was chatting to the school mums for quite some time before I realised that I had missed the start of our game! I did make it over about halfway through the first quarter, but I apologise girls to anyone who did anything outstanding in those five minutes that will not be reported hence!! I was however paying attention to Robbie’s pre-game address, and it was obvious that the girls did too…
Lucy was excellent in defence, protecting the square and touching what would have been a St Kilda goal. But unlike previous weeks, the play wasn’t concentrated in defence and we saw some great play at both ends of the ground. It was great to see the midfielders attacking the ball and the overall increase in the number of effective disposals from our girls. Georgia, Tiarni, Charli, Chloe and our Captain Sienna all worked hard in the first term.
There was some absolutely fantastic play in the second quarter with so many of our girls getting their hands on the ball. Scarlett applied an excellent tackle early and after a great attacking effort, Audrey eventually emerged from the bottom of a pack. Charli was on fire with a run through the centre, some effective tap outs and a great mark! Stella held a strong mark, followed it up with a booming kick and applied her usual tackling pressure down back. There were some very special efforts from Phoebe including a brilliant tackle and Willow, Lily and Sienna all worked hard to protect the goals in defence.
Willow was fierce in the third quarter laying tackle after tackle and she read the ball like a pro. Charli was dazzling in defence with an awesome mark and gave more than one ‘don’t argue’ when running the ball out of the backline. Lucy stood up yet again and was supported by gallant efforts from Tamara, Tiarni, Lily, Ruby P, Stella and Georgia. In Robbie’s words it was a ‘massive’ quarter.
Into the last term and the girls continued the intensity. Stella might be small, but she was like a wall when she smothered an opposition kick and then, moments later, marked an opposition kick! Agatha got into it in the final term and Chloe popped up everywhere, also taking a mean mark from an opposition kick. Lily kept going and going and Willow, Phoebe, the Rubys, Sienna and Tamara all applied great pressure. Tiarni never gave up and there was a great kick from Ruby T marked by Sienna out of full back. What a great quarter of footy girls!
After the game Captain Sienna awarded Charli for never giving up and Robbie praised Lily for trying hard all day to earn an award. Phoebe won an award for the improvement in her game and Captain Sienna put in a great effort all day which won her the final award. It was also great to see Jasmyn supporting her team from the sidelines – hope you have a speedy recovery and are back on the field next week Jas.
You would have thought it was a different team playing St Kilda from that practice match just weeks ago. They may be twice as big our girls – in fact they are twice as big as some of us parents – but that didn’t stop our girls from taking it to them! I nearly cry with pride every week watching our girls play footy, but it was extra special to watch them play on Mother’s Day. We must be doing something right Mums because we’ve got the coolest chicks in town!
Written by Olivia Cook (Audrey Hanson’s mum)
