VFLW Match Report – Round 12

It was a special day at the Bill Lawry Oval this week for the Darebin Falcons, celebrating the 2021 Pride Round in front of a large crowd bathed in sunshine.  The round was also a milestone for four Falcon legends marking their 150th game of senior footy- leading from the front with our captain, Stephanie Simpson as well as Jess Dal Pos, Nicole Callinan and Samara David.  On the field, the Falcons were able to show intent and passages of great footy, but went down to a more consistent side this week.

The game started with a hiss and a roar with Collingwood scoring a goal in the first 30 seconds.  With nine changes from the team that started last week, several AFLW players making their first foray into the VFLW, and a minor premiership on the line,  the Collingwood team came out strongly.  The Falcons worked hard to steady, then putting more pressure on at the stoppages, were able to get some more forward momentum.  Dal Pos and Callinan led by example getting to the contest, and making some pack bursting runs and clearing kicks.  At times missing that last touch from clean hands or accuracy in the kicks, the Falcons were unable to make the most of their chances.  The half time scoreboard recorded only 2 behinds to the Falcons, with the Pies on 6 goals.

The Falcons come out with renewed energy and better execution, and managed to win the 3rd quarter.  A lovely passage of play found Georgia Hammond on a lead out at the grandstand end, and to the vocal delight of the home crowd, she kicked through the ball for the Falcon’s first goal of the match.  Sidney Cubasch was getting first use of the ball in the ruck, Alice Caddy showing some good foot speed and timing, and the Falcons controlled the game.  Late in the quarter, second gamer Trinity Mills was able to find a bit space and sent the ball accurately in to a leading Simpson, who was held on to unfairly in the contest.  Awarded a free kick the 150th Player went back and put the Falc’s second on the board.  The final quarter started well, as ever reliable Kathleen Roe got her hands on the ball, and kicking deep to another good lead from the dangerous Simpson, who drew another free kick from the defender, who got in her back in the contest.  Simpson went back and kicked her second from 30 metres out, directly in front.  The rest of the quarter saw some more discipline from Collingwood in defence, as well as some fancy footwork and creative footy to put on 4 unanswered goals, and running out the game decisively.

Next week is Sir Doug Nicholls Round, and will be the final home match of the season.   The Falcons are hoping for another strong turn out from the fans with plenty still to play for in our season.  Across all the national and Victorian AFL competitions, Sir Doug Nicholls Round will formally celebrating the impact of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the contributions to Australian Football by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, past and present and how they continue to inspire generations of Australians.

Next game: Saturday 29 May, 12 noon, Bill Lawry Oval, Darebin v Essendon

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