PARRAMATTA Goannas have bounced back to form in a special way, storming to a 62-point win over UNSW-ES Bulldogs at Gipps Road Ovals on the weekend. In perfect football conditions, it was the Goannas who were too strong and fast for the Bulldogs side who aside from the second term, put up a good show for most of the day in the 11.10 (76) to 2.2 (14) result.

As the scoreboard suggested at quarter time (1.3 to 0.2), the first term as a whole was scratchy. Caitlin Fletcher dominated for the Goannas, but her side could not link together consistently, or finish off in front of goal. They tended to lose the ball back into traffic and could only manage the one major for the quarter.

However after a message from the coach and a new quarter began, it was a different story. The Goannas piled on the goals with Sophie Kavanagh proactive with her running and she looked that class above. She was the spark that became infectious across the whole team and all of a sudden, the links were happening and the goals were piling up.

In an incredible second term blitz, the Goannas booted 6.0 to 0.0 and essentially won the game off one quarter of dominance, with quite a few forward 50 entries that were lucky not to yield even more majors on the board.

In the second half the UNSW team managed to stem the flow and even kick a couple of goals – both to Emily Conlan – but ultimately the Bulldogs were never in the hunt once the Goannas had begun to get reward for effort.

The key fo the Goannas was the even contribution across the board, with talented bottom-age Sydney Swans Academy midfielder Kiera Yerbury best on ground. She was outstanding off half-back in the match and looked comfortable against older opponents. Yerbury showed great evasive moves with ball in hand and gave as good as she got with her tackling, quelling a number of Bulldogs attacking raids.

Similarly, Stephanie Wilkins looked composed and got her hands on the ball. From the more experienced players, Fletcher put on a show to kick three goals, while ex-Giant Amanda Farrugia – who was superb again – and over-age midfielder/forward Megan Mifsud kicked two. Paige Pirotta was another who impressed with her grunt work and Chloe Davis provided great transitional play to keep the ball moving.

For the Dogs, Emily-Summer Hawes tried hard all day with Lauren Whiting named best-on, while Chloe Anderson, Zali Deep and Amelia Martin were all among the better players for the losing side.

The win was an impressive one for the Goannas, however Parramatta will likely look to some answers forward of centre considering the majority of goals came from players running through such as midfielders rather than forwards converting majors. With finals on the horizon, the Goannas will play much stronger defences and will want to get more bang for buck from those inside 50.

PARRAMATTA GOANNAS 1.3 | 7.3 | 8.8 | 11.10 (76)
UNSW-ES BULLDOGS 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 2.2 (14)

GOALS:
Parramatta: C. Fletcher 3, A. Farrugia 2, M. Mifsud 2, M. Ford, S. Kavanagh, L. O’Sullivan, B. Wade
UNSW: E. Conlan 2

BEST:
Parramatta: K. Yerbury, C. Fletcher, M. Mifsud, O. Plummer, C. Davis, P. Pirotta
UNSW: L. Whiting, E. Hawes, Z. Deep, A. Martin, H. Stanford, L. Brennan

AROUND THE GROUNDS

UTS Bats 4.4 (28) defeated Manly Warringah Wolves 2.6 (18)

In an extraordinarily scrappy game, UTS Bats pulled off a remarkable upset to defeat second placed Manly Warringah Wolves. The loss marked the second consecutive defeat with minimal scoring – just three goals in a fortnight – and the offensive problems are stacking up. Missed kicks and fumbling under pressure proved costly for the home side, as the Bats came away with the 10-point win.

UTS deserves credit for the win, with last year’s grand finalists being far better at intercepting and controlling the aerial contests throughout the game. Manly had its chances in the first half and early in teh second, but the Bats were simply cleaner and more effective.

Promising bottom-age ruck Madeleine Quinn was named best on ground for the Wolves as the Bats took full control in the ruck. The likes of Beth Martini and Aleshea Houlahan were very good all day, while Aoife Berry stepped up in the second half when the game was there to be won to provide drive inside 50. For the Wolves, Ashleigh Carter and Elise Wallace were named among the best.

East Coast Eagles 14.13 (97) defeated Pennant Hills Demons 0.0 (0)

In a result that is to be expected between the raging premiership favourites – and back-to-back premiers – and a rebuilding Demons side that is second last on the ladder, the Eagles showed no mercy as they essentially secured the minor premiership with a massive win. The Eagles did most of the damage in the second half with nine goals, six of those coming in the final term for a 97-point shellacking.

Though the Demons brought the energy in the first five minutes, it took until Jessica Whelan marked and drove a long ball in from outside 50 to be marked by Emily Hurley in the square and converted to start the avalanche of goals.Hurley would do the bulk of the damage with a massive seven goals on the day, while ruck Caitlin Reid again showed her ability to go a class above, named best on ground.

Top-age utility Amelie Prosser-Shaw was among the best once again kicking two goals, while Whelan and Summer Hall also impressed. Hayley Lowe and Eliza Harvey tried hard all day for the Demons in a tough loss.

North Shore Bombers 9.6 (60) defeated Sydney University 0.2 (2)

North Shore outplayed the Students in every aspect of football on the day, with a short, sharp handballing game that put Sydney University to the sword. The Bombers shook off early inaccuracy of 1.6 in the first term to boot eight straight goals after that and run out 58-point winners in convincing style.

Afforded the space where they thrive, the Bombers were able to link up effectively and did it far better than their opponents who could not quell the home side’s runners. At different points through the game, Sydney University was able to stem the bleeding, but could not score itself and ended up with just two behinds for the game.

Lucy Yates was named best on ground in the Bombers’ win, kicking two goals to be thekey player, while Sophie de Montemas and Emily Cleghorn were also impressive. Rose Stuart and Emma Gelsomino tried hard for the Students all day.