World Footy News

The following is an extract from The Bendigo Advertiser

Coached by Kangaroo Flat’s senior coach, Darryl Wilson, Bendigo won 8.4 (52) to 3.2 (20) before a crowd of more than 1500 as the Freedom marked the third match of its first tour to Australia. Although it had just a couple of training runs before the historic clash, Bendigo’s squad dominated the first half.

Led by the play of captain Andrea Walsh, Bree Martin, Ellie McGrath and Faith Bentley, the home team led 4.2 (26) to nil at quarter-time. The Southern Shorthaul Railroad-backed challenge match kicked off with Simone George kicking the first goal. A great mark by Emma Wolters on the 50m arc set up another attack from which Faith Bentley soccered the ball from the goalsquare for another six points. Walsh marked at half-forward, kicked to the pocket and then ran to goal to be on the end of a handpass to goal.

The teamwork of the Bendigo players earned high praise from Wilson. George’s tackle led to another free and goal. The USA Freedom lifted its pressure in the second quarter. Freedom’s persistence was rewarded with a goal by Sheree Stiles when she received a handpass from a pack.

In a match that included many great marks, tackles and bumps, Michaela Perceval’s torpedo goal brought smiles to the face of long-time footy fans. Walsh and Martin capped off more attacks as Bendigo built a 44-point lead by half-time.

The Wayne Kraska-coached USA Freedom fought back strongly in the second half. Although USA did not goal, neither did Bendigo. Cheered on by the hundreds of fans, Freedom won the final quarter. Judith Stein broke clear of the pack and goaled from the angle in the scoreboard pocket.

Pressure at half-forward forced a turnover and Stein was on the end of a chain of handpasses to kick her second goal.

At match end, Kraska said he was absolutely stoked about the match. “This is by far the biggest crowd we have played in front of, the biggest ground, and in a city that’s really passionate about its sport. “In the first half we looked tentative and overawed, and the Bendigo girls played some great football. “As the match went on we began to get more numbers to the contest and won more of the ball.”

Read the rest of the article at Women’s footy match a raging success