Debutant almost outshines Roberts as Eagles soar to win
Justin Chadwick |
Ella Roberts lived up to her superstar status and debutant Lucia Painter produced a third quarter for the ages as West Coast defeated Gold Coast by 15 points in their AFLW season opener in Perth.
Roberts was unstoppable in the first quarter of Thursday night’s match, tallying 11 disposals to go with two goals to get West Coast off to a flying start.
And it was the Painter show in the third quarter as the No.7 pick from last year’s national draft kicked three unanswered goals to help set up the 5.5 (35) to 2.8 (20) win.
Roberts finished with 24 disposals, eight marks, two goals and a goal assist, while Painter kicked 3.1 from 13 disposals.
“It was such a good game,” West Coast co-captain Charlie Thomas told Fox Sports.
“I thought the girls fought it out right to the final siren. I’m super proud of everyone.
“What a good start to the season.”
For Gold Coast, Charlie Rowbottom tallied 22 disposals, Lucy Single (17 disposals, seven tackles, 501m gained) was huge all night, while No.2 draft pick Havana Harris was impressive with one goal from 16 disposals to go with 440m gained.
Harris showcased her aerial abilities with a great pack mark in the final quarter.
West Coast dominated the first quarter thanks to the efforts of Roberts, who kicked her first goal from a holding-the-ball free kick.
She followed it up with a flying 45m shot on the run that was touched on the line, but soon had her second goal via a dribbling effort to give West Coast a 13-2 advantage at the break.
The only down-side for the Eagles was a game-ending footy injury to defender Beth Schilling.
Roberts was restricted to four disposals in the second quarter as the Suns clamped down on the star midfielder, with neither side able to score a goal.
Gold Coast finally scored their first goal of the match early in the third term when Georgia Clayden converted her close-range set shot.
The margin was just three points at the time, but Painter turned the game on its head with a three-goal burst.
Her first goal came courtesy of a holding free kick, and her second was a smart left-foot snap after dropping a mark.
Painter’s third goal came from a thing of beauty – a high floating mark in a pack of four players.
By the time Painter had weaved her magic, Gold Coast trailed by 21 points at the final change.
Harris tried her best to catapult the Suns back into the match, but West Coast’s tough tackling and calmness under pressure ensured the home side got over the line.
AAP
