WESTERN Australia proved far too good for the Allies at Blacktown International Sportspark, running out 77-point winners and keeping their opponent goalless for the match. The Sandgropers dominated from start to finish, with inaccuracy stopping the margin from being even greater than the 11.14 (80) to 0.3 (3) result.

After almost a four-month break since going down to South Australia in its opening game, Western Australia showed it was more than ready to match it with the rest of the country, putting the Allies to the sword from the get-go and having 14 scoring shots to nil in the first half. They straightened up in the second half and blew the margin right out, booting 7.4 to 0.3 in a four-quarter display of dominance.

The match itself was filled with individual performances, though most of Western Australia’s talented crew chipped in. Bottom-agers Zippy Fish (21 disposals, seven marks and seven inside 50s) and Molly O’Hehir (14 disposals, five inside 50s and five rebound 50s) provided fantastic dash, while top-age AFLW Academy member Kaitlyn Srhoj (23 disposals, nine marks and five inside 50s) played her best game of the season.

Western Australia kicked six straight behinds as the Sandgropers peppered the goals in the first term. Finally, back-to-back goals – thanks to Noa McNaughton and Fish – gave the visitors some reward for effort. By the end of the first quarter, Western Australia had 15 inside 50s to four and 10 hitouts to three, but the Allies surprisingly lead the clearances 6-3.

Defender Serina Baukes was arguably the Allies’ best in the opening term, doing her best on the last line. But Srhoj (nine disposals, four marks and three inside 50s) was dominant and lead the midfield well, while Evie Cowcher and Eva Popovsky were also busy.

The second term was not much better for the home side as double bottom-ager Olivia Wolmarans and late inclusion Rosie Anderson kicked the first of their two and three goals respectively for the game. The Allies maintained their control around the stoppages, but Western Australia were dominating the inside 50 count with 32-7 and went out to a 34-0 lead.

It took a while, but early in the third, a snap from Sophie Berry missed but got her side on teh board, and later on the in the term, London Ashcroft pushed a set shot far right. Otherwise, it was business as usual for Western Australia whop converted four goals in the term. Wolmarans kicked the first of the quarter, then the Sandgropers went two in the space of two minutes via Grace Freeman and Anderson and it blew the margin out to 53 points.

A late goal to Dodd from an intercept mark put the cherry on top for the Sandgropers who had their best quarter of the term despite ironically having less forward half dominance. By the final break though, the game was well and truly over as the margin stood at 58 points. Srhoj (17 disposals), Cowcher (16) and Fish (14) combined for 13 inside 50s between them, while the Allies had 14 in total.

The Allies midfield was working hard with Olivia Morris and Asha Turner Funk trying hard on the inside. Bottom-ager Emma Juneja and top-age tall Cleo Buttifant provided plenty of run and carry from the defensive half of the ground.

Remaining disciplined throughout the final 20 minutes, Western Australia ensured the Allies stayed goalless for the entirety of the contest as Cowcher and O’Hehir, along with full-back Mackenzie Webb were determined to hold up defensively.

Up the other end, Wolmarans had her chances with a second goal and then a missed set shot, while Anderson capped off her day with a third major to be the most prolific forward on the ground. Overall it was a team effort for the West Australians as Fish, O’Hehir, Cowcher and Srhoj all provided the run for the Sandgropers. For the Allies, Buttifant and Baukes tried hard all day, while Morris battled on in midfield.

ALLIES 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.3 (3)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 2.6 | 4.10 | 8.12 | 11.14 (80)

GOALS:
Allies: Nil.
Western Australia: R. Anderson 3, O. Wolmarans 2, M. Dodd 2, N. McNaughton, Z. Fish, A. Raison, G. Freeman

RMC BEST:
Allies: C. Buttifant, S. Baukes, O. Morris, M. Robinson, A. Turner Funk
Western Australia: Z. Fish, M. O’Hehir, K. Srhoj, E. Cowcher, M Dodd