PFL women give their all but Victoria reign supreme

PFL put up an early fight, but the Victorian women showed their class and ran away in a comfortable 63-point win at Elsternwick Park.

Saturday marked a historic occasion, being the first time the PFL Women’s side got to test themselves against opposition outside of WA, and the test couldn’t have come any bigger for coach Parris Laurie, facing the best of the VAFA Women’s Competition on their own home deck.

VAFA v PFL WATCH THE FULL REPLAY

After a tight contest in the opening half of the first quarter, Sophie Stewart broke the deadlock for the Vics with a clever snap. Molly Simpson was awarded a free kick and extended the lead, before Warnbro Swans captain Alyssa Smogavec opened the scoring for Perth with a major.

Victoria were able to take ascendancy in the second quarter, kicking four goals while keeping Perth scoreless to open up a 35-point lead at the main break.

Coming out after the main change, Perth lifted their intensity around the ball, and surged the footy forward at every opportunity. Despite the momentum of the play on their terms, they were unable to impact the scoreboard with the Big V defence standing tall, led by Annie Xanthos, Amy Duguid and Kirsty De Pelligrini, who had the tough task of shutting down Waverley Jones who’s kicked 40 goals for Melville this season from 13 games.

Victoria landed a damaging blow to nullify all of Perth’s hard work, taking the ball the length of the ground with Cat O’Bryan and Ella Baxter hitting the scoreboard to send the margin out to 56 points with a quarter to play.

For every question Perth threw at the Big V, Paul Groves’ side had the answers. Scarborough’s Cheney Armstrong was able to capitalise on a mistake from the Victorian defence and booted home Perth’s second goal of the day.

Molly Simpson led the way on the scoresheet with three goals and played a big role in the final margin being 63 points in favour of the Vics. Simpson was part of an incredibly strong forward line with Asha Price and Sophie Stewart who troubled the Perth defence all day.

Sabreena McKinnon (Baldivis) and Caitlin Pears (Fremantle CBC) fought valiantly for Perth, and were threatening around stoppages and running off half-back. Stefanie Wust (University) and Isabella Strnadica (Melville) also played a crucial role and impacted the game.

Samantha Fielder (Curtin Uni Wesley) had a power of work to do in the ruck against the Big V combination of Sarah Betts and Cat O’Bryne.

Mia Caffry ran rampant through the midfield for the Vics, Rebecca Grant showed her speed running down the wings as well as Catherine Stanton. Victorian Captain Bree Doyle led from the front but it was Simone Mooney who was awarded with best on ground honours.

The PFL Senior Women’s team now holds a 1-2 record in representative footy while the Victorian women have continued their winning ways with a 4-0 record.

FINAL SCORES

VAFA: 2.2, 6.5, 9.9, 11.11 (77)
PFL: 1.0, 1.0, 1.1, 2.2 (14)

GOALS
VAFA: M. Simpson 3, S. Stewart 2, E. Baxter 2, C. O’Bryan, R. Grant, J. Wise, A. Price
PFL: A. Smogavec, C. Armstrong

BEST
VAFA: Simone Mooney (Fitzroy)
PFL: Caitlin Pears (Fremantle CBC)