A TWO-goal last quarter from Peel Thunder’s Kate Bartlett has lifted the West Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s All Stars to victory over the State Academy side. Trailing by eight points at the final break after a scoreless quarter, the more experienced All Stars needed a spark, and it came in the form of competition leading goalkicker, Bartlett. Having slotted 20 goals in seven games this season, the dynamic ex-AFLW talent showed just how much of a match-winners she can be, finishing the game with four majors from six scoring shots.

In what was a see-sawing contest in Claremont, the All Stars lead by 11 points at quarter time, with Subiaco’s Hayley Corlett kicking the first major eight minutes into the quarter. Bartlett then slotted her first, as the experienced side kept the young guns goalless. The lead grew to 17 points at one stage with Bartlett slotting her second major before a goal top AFLW Draft prospect Ella Roberts on the eve of the half-time siren cut the deficit to 11.

That momentum proved vital for the Sandgropers as Roberts went haywire trying to get her side over the line. Picking up 14 disposals, five marks, four inside 50s and a goal in the first half, Roberts and bottom-age young gun Jaime Henry (16 disposals, two tackles, two clearances and two inside 50s) were sticking up for the young side, whilst Peel Thunder’s Chloe Wrigley (!3 disposals, four marks), Kiara Templeman (10 disposals, four tackles), Mikayla Western (nine disposals, two tackles and two inside 50s), Bartlett (eight disposals, three marks, two inside 50s and two goals) and Jaide Britton (eight disposals, two clearances and two rebound 50s) were all contributing for the leaders.

When the Under 18s needed a hero, in stepped Roberts. In what was effectively just her third competitive game back from a long-term injury, the Peel Thunder forward lifted her side in an inspirational quarter. She racked up 12 disposals, two clearances and two inside 50s, being a lead-up target roaming up and down the ground. She and Henry were monopolising the ball for the Under 18s, as Abbygail Bushby – who copped a knock early in the game but returned – and Tamashya Blurton kicked goals for the State Academy to hit the front midway through the term. A costly 50m penalty five minutes later gifted Kaitlyn Srhoj a goal, and all of a sudden, the Under 18s lead by eight points at the final break.

Despite experienced midfielders Ashleigh Gomes and Ella Smith having a good third term, the Under 18s were on top and the All Stars needed a hero themselves. That player was Bartlett, who kicked the All Stars second goal to hit the front at the three and a half minute mark after Marni Alston nailed a major in the opening two minutes. West Perth’s Elissa Price then converted to give the Al-Stars some breathing space, and almost had a second but could not quite get it to work. Bartlett then slotted a fourth goal, and a behind, to put the lead out to a match-winning 18 points. Blurton kicked her seven by leaping in front of Roberts to pull down a grab and make no mistake with the set shot, but it was effectively a consolation goal.

At the final siren, the All Stars had escaped with the win thanks to that four goals to one last quarter. Bartlett picked up 12 disposals, six marks, two inside 50s and booted 4.2 to b the difference, as Wrigley (24 disposals, fur marks, six tackles, four clearances, three inside 50s and three rebound 50s) had the most disposals for the winners. Smith (19 disposals, four marks, three tackles, two clearances, three inside 50s and three rebound 50s) and Gomes (18 disposals, four marks, six tackles, two clearances, four inside 50s and four rebound 50s) also had big numbers. Meanwhile the skill of Western (14 disposals, four tackles, two clearances and three inside 50s), Jessica Cox (12 disposals, three marks and two tackles) and Britton (12 disposals, two clearances and three rebound 50s) caught the eye.

Despite playing in a loss, few would disagree that Roberts deserved the best on ground accolade, amassing a game-high 30 disposals, seven marks, six inside 50s, and also having two clearances and kicking 1.1. Henry supported her well with 22 disposals, three tackles, two clearances and three inside 50s, whilst Lauren Wakfer (!4 disposals, nine tackles, 20 hitouts, four clearances and three rebound 50s) was on top in the ruck. Tyla Fitzgerald (16 disposals, five tackles and three inside 50s) and Srhoj (14 disposals, two marks, seven tackles, five inside 50s and a goal) were the other standouts.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA U18S 0.1 | 1.4 | 4.5 | 5.5 (35)
WAFL WOMEN’S ALL STARS 2.0 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 7.5 (47)

GOALS:

WA U18s: T. Blurton 2, E. Roberts, K. Srhoj, A. Bushby
WAFLW: K. Bartlett 4, H. Corlett, M. Alston, E. Price

RMC BEST:

WA U18s: E. Roberts, J. Henry, L. Wakfer, K.Srhoj, T. Fitzgerlad
WAFLW: K. Bartlett, A. Gomes, C. Wrigley, M. Western, E. Smith