VFLW Match Report: Round 6 vs Port Melbourne
26/05/2025
Double deadlock: Stalemate at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval in a heavily contested game
Photography by Anthony Vella
Mere hours after the heroics of Jack Carroll at RSEA Park helped our VFL boys to a draw, our girls held on to a charging, wind-assisted Port Melbourne in a thrilling final quarter to share the points on a sunny afternoon at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval. Both teams took advantage of having the wind at their back when kicking to the Southern end of the ground, with all four goals kicked in the second half scored at that end.
It was a scrappy first quarter, with neither team able to properly take control of the game. 21 tackles were laid inside the first five minutes, with Erica Fowler (11 disposals, 39 hitouts) and Grace Hodder (18 disposals, five clearances) leading the charge from the middle. Port Melbourne controlled the territory, winning the inside-50 count 15-1, but brilliant defensive displays from the back five, in particular Bella Enno (15 disposals, four tackles) and Courtney Aughtie (17 disposals, six marks), stemmed the scoring to only one goal at the first break.
After a slightly slow start to the second quarter, it was all Zebras with momentum shifting after Arianna Clarke (11 disposals, four tackles) opened her account for the day, getting in behind the Port defenders after some inspired ball-movement up the ground. It didn’t take long to add our second, with Deanna Jolliffe (nine disposals, three marks) paid a 50-metre penalty after being hit late in a marking contest at centre half back. Her long ball inside 50 fell into the lap of Ash Patton (two goals) for her first VFLW goal for the Zebs. With our defence continually repelling Port Melbourne attacks, we maintained our lead into the main break.
As the wind picked up towards the southern end, we began to press the Port defence, enjoying some dominant territory before the dam wall broke when Hodder scored from a stoppage right on our attacking 50, kicking her second goal in as many weeks. Patton then kicked her second of the day with a lovely snap from 35 on the run to bring the margin out to a game high 13 points. We continued to dominate the quarter, reading the flight of the ball better than our Borough counterparts on numerous occasions and taking front spot. The quarter ended with the Zebs holding a 13-point lead.
Kicking against the wind in the last quarter, our defenders needed to hold firm. Chloe Saultry (eight disposals, two marks) led the way, an intercept mark early setting the tone for the rest of the team. Enno and Aughtie continued their strong outings behind the ball, doing their best to repel the numerous attacks that came their way. As Port drew level with eight minutes of footy left, our midfielders did their best to slow their momentum with Hodder, Fowler, Abbey Tregellis (five touches, eight tackles) and Ali Hynes (11 disposals, 27 hitouts) continually holding the ball up and forcing repeat stoppages all around the ground. In a nail-biting final few minutes, our girls were able to repel the final attacks of the Borough to keep the scoreline level in our first draw of the year.
Tackle-fest at WSTBBO
Across all four quarters, the pressure around the ball was tremendous, with over 200 tackles laid for the game. Every single Zebra laid at least one tackle, but it was the physical presence of Hodder (nine), Tregellis, and Sophie Locke (seven tackles, three clearances) who led the way.
Patton strikes twice
Following her amazing start to the season at Sandringham Dragons, Patton was given the call up for her debut last week. After finding her feet last week, her two goals, including a classy finish on the run in the third, gave all in attendance a glimpse into the potential she has and made us excited about her future career.
Sandringham Zebras: 0.0 2.0 4.0 4.0 (24)
Port Melbourne: 1.3 1.5 1.5 3.6 (24)
Best Players: D. Jolliffe, N. Entwistle, A. Hynes, E. Fowler, M. Bluhm, A. Patton
Goalkickers: A. Patton (2), A. Clarke, G. Hodder
Written by Matthew Girolami - Sandringham FC Media