Saturday 6th May, 2023
Darebin Falcons 1.2-8 def by 4.11-35 Box Hill
A strong start from Darebin, but a fade out in the second half did result in a loss to the Box Hill Hawks. The VFLW Falcons started the game with intent, with clear ball work, and some lively forward movement. With patches of very heavy and icy cold rain creating slippery conditions, Falcons adjusted well. But it was the Hawks who were able to create scoreboard pressure, and then hold on for the win in a very low scoring end to the game.
Alyssa Mifsud was played in the midfield, and was Falcon’s leading possession getter with 8 kicks, 7 handballs. Northern Knights Evie Lee and Lauren Jatczsak showed their athleticism and commitment to the contest in their second games at VFLW. Grace Wake also had another strong game off half back, with 5 kicks, 2 marks and 3 handballs. Playing in the forward for much of the game Gogos brought her trademark tackling game, and Sabine Cowley du Parquet provided a good option in attack. Trinity Mills was solid in defence, with 3 marks, 11 kicks and 2 handballs.
Right from the start, the Falcons were in attack from the centre, with captain Steph Simpson sending the ball directly to the 50 metre arc. Rebounded by the defenders, the Falcons kept up the pressure. Zoe Larkins with a strong tackle won a free kick, and sent it down directly to a leading Sabine Cowley du Parquet. The Hawks defender caught behind came over the shoulder infringing, and then compounded that error by coming off the mark too quickly. Cowley du Parquet took the 50 metre penalty right to the goal square and put the Falcons 6 points up, less than two minutes played.
Another good foray into the forward was created by a quick kick out from Ange Gogos at the centre bounce, and then slick hands from Alyssa Mifsud to a well positioned Mikayla Plunkett. Plunkett’s kick forward was marked by Cowely du Parquet, coming back with the flight of the ball. Unfortunately her kick did not have the distance and was touched through for a behind. A heavy downpour made the ball hard to handle for both sides. The Box Hill forwards got the ball deeper in the attacking zone, resulting in 2 goals at the end of the quarter, and one at the start of the second quarter. Falcons did well to step up the intensity and get back on the front foot with some good passages of play. Good pressure at the stoppages gave Gogos a shot at goal, but the ball drifted across the face. With neither team able to hit targets, the ball bounced in and out of the Darebin forward line.
In the final quarter, the heavy conditions seemed to impact both teams, and with the fatigue setting in, neither were able to kick a goal. Hawks running out 27 point winners.
Coach Aasta O’Connor had some positives from the game post match. “We were pleased with the way that the team adapted to the conditions and changed up the attacking game. We didn’t handle the oppositions pressure as well as we would have liked but it was good to see the team fight hard. With some injuries in the midfield, it gave opportunities for other players to see more of the action. Another good game from Evie and LJ from the Northern Knights, it is good to have them in our program”.
Next Round, Darebin will playing top of the table Geelong with our home game back at Bundoora again. The ground resurfacing work has now been completed, and with the winter solstice coming closer, it will be a yellow match ball and potentially finishing under lights in the late afternoon. It will also be the Mother’s Day match, so invite your mum to the game to share the love with your VFLW Falcons.
Sunday 14 May, 3.00pm La Trobe University
In 2023, VFL Women’s matches are streamed LIVE on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
Keep up to date through the 2023 VFLW app or through https://vfl.aflwstats.com/season/2023
Next Round, Falcons will face Hawthorn who are sitting 5th on the ladder currently with a draw, 2 losses and 3 wins for the season so far.
Saturday 6 May, 10.30 Preston City Oval
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