WAFLW Weekly Review | Rd 11

WAFLW

Round 11 saw the WAFLW take on West Perth at home. The girls were up and about for Ebony “Chippy” Dowson’s 150^th Peel Thunder league game.

West Perth started the game in fast fashion, kicking the opening goal within the first 30 seconds as it took a bit for the girls to settle.  We conceded a second goal before Kira Phillips hit the score board with a dribble goal from the pocket to bring real excitement and energy to the group and crowd.  West Perth lead 2.0 to 1.0 as quarter time.

The second quarter we hit our straps and dominated the quarter in possessions and field territory.  Even though we kicked two goals, we conceded one, but I felt we should have hit the score board more heavily.  However it was exciting to see the girls grow in confidence and our good training start to pay off with us winning the quarter.  Scores were level at half time 3.1 a piece.

The third quarter saw us once again dominate field territory and possession but unfortunately didn’t translate onto the scoreboard. The first 5 minutes on the quarter the ball was camped in our forward line for no result, then West Perth went down the other end and kicked a goal to take the lead.  Finally late in the quarter our efforts were rewarded with some clean ball movement forward and a very good front and centre by Jess Ruland saw her run into an open goal to level the scores again.  Score at three quarter time was 4.1 a piece.

The last quarter was set for a big finish and while the girls tried hard West Perth were a bit cleaner with the ball and kicked 2 goals while we only managed 2 behinds.  West Perth running out winners 6.2 to 4.3.

The result was very disappointing as we did a lot right but weren’t clean enough going forward.  It was pleasing to see all the work at training playing off and having 30 inside 50’s which was a season high.  

Congratulations to Chippy on her 150^th Peel Thunder league game. Her dedication and commitment to the club is second to none.  She has travelled from Joondalup or the city for most of her career and rarely missed a session or a game.  She is the most professional player in her preparation and mentors the younger players.  Chippy has won almost every award you can think of at the club over her career including the Fenton medal and most importantly is a dual premiership player.  Let’s hope there are plenty more games to come.

For her efforts on the day Chippy received a spot in the WAFLW Rd 11 Team of the week alongside Greta Mckinley. 

Chippy was superb on Saturday in the loss to West Perth with 23 disposals, six tackles and five marks to become the first player named to the Team of the Week seven times in 2023.
McKinley was named to the Team of the Week for a third time this season and she produced a brilliant performance for the Thunder despite losing to the Falcons. She finished with 29 touches, seven tackles, five inside-50 entries and two marks.

Peel Thunder 4.3 27

West Perth 6.2 38

Best player: Greta McKinley, Evie Cowcher, Krystal Carter, Ebony Dowson and Kaitlyn Shroj

Goal Kickers: Kira Phillips 2, Tanisha Anderson and Jessica Ruland

ROGERS CUP

Round 11 v West Perth 

Our goal for the match was to make an Impact, and we certainly started in that vein.  We had 12 forward entries to their 4, 23 tackles and kept the ladder leaders scoreless in the first quarter and kicked two straight goals.   

And then they changed gear.  The second quarter was a reversal with only 3 entries to their 13 producing 3.5 to our solitary behind.  Their bigger bodies were unleashed on our girls with the umpires paying a number of down field free kicks to us for their late hits.  I congratulate our girls for maintaining their discipline in the face of aggression which was admirable.  

In the second half our backline continued to work very well under enormous pressure, only conceding 2.5 and keeping West Perth goalless in the last.   

Looking over the data after the game it is clear that our best can match and beat any team in our competition, no matter their position on the ladder.  What we have to do is produce four of these great quarters in a row on match day. 

Before I finish I would like to mention the influence of Ebony ‘Chippy’ Dowson at our club.  Not only the first player to get to 150 League games, a double premiership player and Club Captain, Chippy was also a line coach for two years with the Rogers Cup team.  She only stopped when the Reserves competition was removed as she couldn’t continue due to needing to get ready for her league games.  She is a champion player and skilled coach who has given this club and the girls great service.  I am especially pleased to see that she has been selected as a coach with the SSWA State Schoolgirls 12’s team this year, which will compete at the National Championships in Albury.  I see it as a natural progression that she now goes onto have an influence on young female footballers across our state.  Onya Champ!! 

Peel Thunder 2.1 13

West Perth 5.11 41

Best Players: Sienna Guidi, Ava Cristodero, Charlize Thompson, Jordain Thompson, Lucy Kane

Goal Kickers: Nakia Jilley, Charlie Stewart