PFL and Country WA Battle to Dramatic Draw
17 Jun, 2024
Not even an immense second half surge from the PFL could separate the two sides as the PFL and Country WA played out a dramatic draw on Friday night at Gil Fraser Reserve.
The PFL mowed down a 16-point deficit at halftime to land all square with Country WA, 7.8 (50) to 8.2 (50).
PFL v Country WA WATCH THE FULL REPLAY
After a tight contest in the opening half of the first quarter, Country WA broke the deadlock with goals from Kate Bartlett and Daisy Rigby, before Bassendean’s Ashley Sharp opened the scoring for the PFL with a magnificent solo effort.
Country replied instantly from the next centre bounce through Gemma Dix before Baldivis’ Sabreena McKinnon was awarded a free kick in the dying seconds of the opening term which saw the PFL go into quarter time with a 5-point deficit.
Country asserted their dominance early in the second quarter with set shots from Daisy Rigby and Kate Bartlett to extend their lead to 16 points without a blemish on the scoreboard which read 5.0.
PFL needed something to inspire them and that came through a rundown tackle by Ashley Sharp who was awarded a free kick and slotted her second goal of the night.
University’s Liza Kneebone took an intercepting mark across the middle of the ground which created yet another chance for Ashley Sharp to kick her third and put the PFL with a 4-point margin halfway through the second term.
Country were able to surge into half-time with two late goals through Georgia Kowald and Katie Jayne Grieve to see them go into the main break with a 16-point advantage over the PFL.
PFL Coach Steph Walding rallied her girls together at half time and an inspired Perth side came out and had ten scoring shots in the third quarter but were only able to convert two of them through Wembey’s Jorja Schell and Ashley Sharp.
North Fremantle’s Katelyn Catalano was instrumental in defence, winning every contest that came her way and played a major role in the third term which saw Country only kick a single behind.
With nothing to split the sides at 44 points apiece going into the final change, it was all to play for in the last quarter.
Ashley Sharp opened the scoring just two minutes into the final quarter with a brilliant crumbing snap around her body to kick her fifth goal for the night.
Bodies crashed in and players willed themselves to every contest but neither side was able to generate any big chances until Kate Bartlett got out the back for Country and soccered a goal through to level the scores at 50 apiece with just over five minutes remaining.
PFL drove the ball forward at every opportunity in the dying minutes but weren’t able to hit the scoreboard as the siren sounded with scores ending level.
In the forward line, the day belonged to Bassendean sharpshooter Ashley Sharp who finished with five goals in a dominant display. North Fremantle’s Katelyn Catalano was solid in defence and was awarded with the coach’s best on ground award, while Country’s Katie Jayne Grieve was awarded best on ground honours for her side.
The PFL women’s side now holds a 1-1-1 record in representative footy against Country WA but will retain the shield after winning in 2022 by a narrow 2-point margin.
FINAL SCORES
PFL: 2.1, 4.3, 6.8, 7.8 (50)
Country WA: 3.0, 7.1, 7.2, 8.2 (50)
GOALS
PFL: A. Sharp 5, S. McKinnon, J. Schell
Country WA: K. Bartlett 3, D. Rigby 2, G. Dix, G. Kowald, K. Grieve
BEST ON GROUND
PFL: Katelyn Catalano (North Fremantle)
Country WA: Katie Jayne Grieve (Busselton)
