VFLW Round 3 Match Report

VFLW Round 3 Sunday 13th March

Ikon Park, Carlton

Darebin Falcons 3.2.20 def by Carlton 3.9.27

This week, the VFLW team started out early at Darebin’s Community Day, running drills with the future Falcs, and engaging with our community as we all emerge from COVID restrictions.  At Ikon Park for the afternoon game, the warm-up was completed in sunshine but the team running out from the rooms to start the game were greeted by a light but steady rainfall. 

Carlton started quickly out of the blocks with 2 goals in the first quarter, as the Falcons struggled to find the right intensity and adjust to the weather.  Despite this poor start, Darebin steadied the ship, and started to put some better ball into their forward line. 

The second quarter saw the Falcon’s first goal off the boot of captain Steph Simpson, followed by a second from Sally Lynch.   Knowing that Lynch loves a kick on the run rather than a set shot, her team mates put the ball out into the space.  Lynch took a great mark inside 50, and off 3 steps, booted a 35 metre goal. 

In the second half, the weather continued on building into proper footy weather, with rain falling in buckets.  It was difficult conditions to be in chase mode, but the Falcons stuck to their opponents, and competing hard in the one on ones, started to win the footy.  The third Falcons goal came from Samara David, who was awarded a free kick, then a 50 metre penalty and was able to put it away well. Ultimately, in tough conditions, Darebin were unable to get enough forward pressure to make up for that first quarter.

Coach Mitch Skelly was pleased with the fight back from the team after quarter time.  Although slow to adjust to the playing conditions, Darebin showed that they can contest well and stay strong in the tackles.  Cubasch had another strong performance in the ruck, up front Lynch had one of her best performances for the club and ever consistent Simpson had a very solid game.  It was great to see for the first time in 2021 Rachel Hibbert’s excellent return to the game following knee reconstruction, as well as Stephanie Normington-Dickens’ returning to her damaging defensive style, copping a broken nose at the end of the game.

But the story of the day was definitely the two players debuting for VFLW and for Darebin.  Lauren Camilleri and Lucy Schneider both were named in Darebin’s best, making the presence known, getting hands on the ball supporting their team mates with great running and getting themselves into open spaces on a wet day.

Whilst frustrating to get so close, the best passages in this game showed that if Darebin can manage to fire from the blocks, and play our best footy consistently, our first win for the season is just around the corner.

DAREBIN

Goal Kickers: S. Simpson, S. Lynch, S. David
Best Players: S. Lynch, S. Simpson, L. Camilleri, V. Blackwood, L. Schneider, S. Cubasch