Saints go marching in round one
25/03/2024
At 7:05pm on Friday 22 March, the Southern Saints took on Collingwood in the first round of the 2024 Rebel VFLW competition at RSEA Park.
First Quarter:
The Southern Saints started the game in defence with Collingwood kicking a behind four minutes into the match. The ball spent majority of the quarter in our defensive 50, with Collingwood struggling to convert on the scoreboard.
Relentless pursuit from the Saints saw the ball travel into our forward 50. Tessa Boyd was impressive down back with multiple defensive efforts.
A free kick, followed by a 50m penalty saw Georgia Ricardo kick our first goal of the season from the top of the goal square just seconds before the siren sounded.
Southern Saints 1.0 (6)
Collingwood 0.1 (1)
Second Quarter:
The second quarter started with the Saints getting the first centre clearance and moving the ball inside 50. Playing in attack, we looked hungry to find the ball, battling against a strong Collingwood defence.
Winnie Laing was a bull in the contest, using the ball efficiently and following up with multiple second efforts. She finished the game with a team-high 23 disposals.
Collingwood kicked their first goal of the game seven minutes in after bouncing in and out of their forward line. Eva Nikolitsis was influential throughout the game with 12 tackles.
With a minute left on the clock, Natalie Plane found the ball after a dropped mark and kick a goal on the run in the forward pocket. That goal secured us a three point lead heading into half time.
Southern Saints 2.0 (12)
Collingwood 1.3 (9)
Third Quarter:
The Saints stayed consistent in the second half, applying pressure, taking intercept marks and working the ball up the ground.
The relentless effort from Collingwood was met with fierce defence from our backline, with 41 inside 50s compared to our 24 entries.
Eight minutes in Chloe Hunt took a strong mark in the forward line and kicked her first goal of the night from 40 metres out.
Boyd, Ricardo and Charlotte Ryan worked together, to move the ball out of our defensive 50, with impressive kicks up the ground. Ryan was exciting in the midfield with 18 disposals and five clearances, her leg speed being a great asset to the Saints.
Collingwood kicked two behinds, shortening the Saints' lead to seven points at three quarter time.
Southern Saints 3.0 (18)
Collingwood 1.5 (11)
Fourth Quarter:
We came out aggressive and determined in the last quarter, with the ball spending majority of the fourth term in our forward 50. Chloe Hunt kicked our last goal of the night with yet another great set shot from a free kick.
The midfield group were connected throughout the game with 33 clearances to Collingwood’s 22. Abbey Tregellis had 19 disposals and four clearances while Piper Phelan had ten disposals and five clearances in her debut for the Saints.
Collingwood kicked a goal with three minutes to go but their final effort wasn’t enough.
The Southern Saints claimed an eight-point victory over Collingwood in round one of the 2024 Rebel VFLW season.
Southern Saints 4.1 (25)
Collingwood 2.5 (17)
After a strong team performance at RSEA Park, the Southern Saints are only getting started. Next week we take on Darebin at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Easter Sunday at 9:45am in round two of the season. Entry is FREE!
Written by Emily Spong - Sandringham FC Media