VFLW Match Report: Round 4 vs Geelong
10/05/2025
Fowler dominance leads us to 4-0 to start the season.
Photography by Jake Phillips
A strong four quarter performance led us to a 49 point win over Geelong, as our pressure and ball movement proved to be too much for the Cats.
First Quarter
The Cats dominated clearances early, resulting in them getting four of the first five inside 50s with multiple chances to score, but our defensive setup and tackle pressure were too much for the Geelong forwards. Erica Fowler's dominance in the ruck soon became imminent as the clearances started to turn, resulting in us kicking the first two goals of the game, including one off the back of a clever tap from Arianna Clarke to Zoe Barbakos, who swept up the ball kicking a brilliant goal. It was a well deserved goal for Barbakos after having phenomenal forward pressure all quarter, ending the first term with four tackles. Our pressure across the board was vital in our first quarter lead and we headed into quarter time leading both the disposal count and tackle count.
Quarter Time: Sandringham 2.1 (13) to Geelong 0.1 (1)
Second Quarter
A dominant second term saw us leading 29-1 at halftime. Our relentless run and forward pressure was on display in the second quarter as we had six shots on goal in the first eight minutes. However we failed to make the most of these opportunities. Melanie Bertuna’s footy smarts and ability to be first to the footy resulted in her having three shots on goal in the quarter. Emily Shepherd's ability to read the ball alongside her elite work rate resulted in her kicking a beautiful goal as she crumbed the ball off the contest and snapped it for a goal, making it our first of the term and her second goal of the game. Winnie Laing's intercept marking kept us on the front foot, giving us repeat inside 50s, which resulted in us kicking another late goal coming from Chloe Saultry. Bertuna and Barbakos really put the pressure on the Cats with 13 tackles between them at the halftime break.
Half time: Sandringham 4.5 (29) to Geelong 0.1 (1)
Third Quarter
After a dominant first half, we continued to put our foot on the gas as Maiya Stobie kicked a brilliant goal off the ground to kickstart the second half. Our ability to hit targets and work the ball from end to end then saw Stobie get on the end of her second goal of the quarter. Fowler continued to dominate the hitouts, giving us first touch of the footy. Despite this, Geelong managed to kick consecutive goals giving them some momentum. The composure from our back six allowed us to stem the flow and move the ball from end to end, which saw debutant Chloe Bailey kick her first goal for the club to end the third term.
Three-quarter time: Sandringham 7.5 (47) to Geelong 2.5 (17)
Fourth Quarter:
It was a tough contest to start off the final term, but our skills proved to be too strong as Clarke threaded the needle, kicking our first of the quarter. Fowler's ability to get behind the ball and defend as a ruck was vital for the team in the final term as we stopped the Cats from kicking any majors. A strong mark from Imogen Evans in the goal square followed by a goal gave us a 42-point lead and took us to our highest score of the season so far. We continued to fight hard as Saultry intercepted the ball and then followed it with a beaming kick for goal, extending our lead to 48 points. Despite the clearances for the game ending 30 apiece we had a dominant performance. Our running and link up passages around the ground, combined with our constant pressure and running in numbers, proved too strong for the Cats.
Erica Fowler ended the game with 20 disposals, 30 hitouts and four tackles, highlighting her dominance in the middle of the ground. Winnie Laing showed her ability to read the ball and was a major piece in holding the Cats to only 17 points, ending the game with 24 disposals, six marks and five tackles.
Full time: Sandringham 10.6 (66) def. Geelong 2.5 (17)
Sandringham Zebras: 2.1 4.5 7.5 10.6 (66)
Geelong: 0.1 0.1 2.5 2.5 (17)
Best Players: Maiya Stobie, Abbey Tregellis, Imogen Evans, Winnie Laing, Emily Shepherd, Chloe Bailey
Goal Scorers: Emily Shepherd (2), Chloe Saultry (2), Maiya Stobie (2), Chloe Bailey (1),
Zoe Barbakos (1), Arianna Clarke (1), Imogen Evans (1).
Written by Aaron Melis - Sandringham FC Media