A GREAT team performance from Western Australia has secured them a rebound win, as they defeated the Eastern Allies 7.3 (45) to 2.3 (15). Captain, Sabreena Duffy and AFLW Academy member, McKenzie Dowrick were the standouts of the day, and were well complemented by the likes of Matilda Sergeant and Emma O’Driscoll. Up forward, it was Mikayla Hyde who did the damage with three second half majors. They all teamed up for a great and hard-fought victory against a much improved Allies side that were able to build on their win against the Central Allies. 

After the ball was trapped in Western Australia’s forward half for most of the first quarter, it was Caitlin Hill who was able to get a breakthrough. She kicked a goal late in the quarter to give the Black Swans a 1.1 (7) to 0.0 (0) lead, but Netty Garlo and Libby Haines fought hard for the Allies, making it difficult for the Black Swans to pile on the goals. 

In the second quarter, Western Australia continued to press forward and got reward for their effort. Kate Bartlett crumbed a goal off the pack and gave the Black Swans a 13-point lead. Abbey Dowrick then got involved among the goals, using her clean hands to sweep the ball off the deck and kick a long-range major to bring the house down at Broadbeach. After this, the Allies prevented Western Australia from scoring in the rest of the quarter, thanks to the hard work of Chloe Haines and Alyce Parker. Meanwhile, Western Australia captain, Sabreena Duffy worked hard with strong hands and great run and carry, creating many important passages of play for the Black Swans. This allowed them to go into half time with a 3.2 (20) to 0.1 (1) lead over the Eastern Allies.  

It was a tight tussle in the third quarter with the first goal of the term coming in the latter stages. It took a perfectly pinpointed kick from Duffy to Mikayla Hyde on the lead to register the Black Swans’ first major of the quarter. Hyde led explosively to the ball and made no mistake from a set shot right in front. The Allies had their chances to get their first goal though, but behinds from Brea Quinlivan and Eliza Cumming meant a couple of chances went begging. Then AFLW Academy member and Tasmanian star, Chloe Haines came in to save the day, kicking her side’s first goal of the match. She was quickly outdone by Brea Quinlivan though, who made amends for her two behinds in the game with a crucial major from the boundary line, reducing the deficit to 2.3 (15) to 4.3 (27) at three quarter time.

It did not take long for Western Australia to stamp their authority in the game, as Mikayla Hyde got on the end of a downfield free kick and slotted through her second major of the day from a difficult angle. The Black Swans pocket rocket popped up again not long after, running in for her third major of the day and extending the margin beyond the Allies’ reach. Despite this, Parker and Cumming continued to fight hard for their side, putting in a formidable performance at Broadbeach. They succumbed to the pressure of players like Abbey Dowrick, who was aggressive at every contest she appeared in. Tanisha Anderson did well on Chloe Haines in the final term after being switched into defence, working well one-on-one and putting body pressure on her. The pressure on the Allies increased when Sarah Verrier joined in the action, running in to a goal to help the Black Swans to an important victory. They ran out winners against the Eastern Allies 7.3 (45) to 2.3 (15).

WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 1.1 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 7.3 (45)
EASTERN ALLIES: 0.0.0 | 0.1 | 2.3 | 2.3 (15)

GOALS:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Mikayla Hyde 3, Caitlin Hill, Kate Bartlett, Abbey Dowrick, Sarah Verrier.
EASTERN ALLIES: Chloe Haines, Brea Quinlivan.

ADC BEST:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Sabreena Duffy, McKenzie Dowrick, Mikayla Hyde, Matilda Sergeant, Abbey Dowrick, Emma O’Driscoll.
EASTERN ALLIES: Chloe Haines, Alyce Parker, Brea Quinlivan, Libby Haines, Alexia Hamilton, Georgia Garnett.