DESPITE both sides missing a host of key players due to the AFLW Under 18 Championships, Gippsland Power and Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels produced a great fight at La Trobe University Bundoora to finish the standalone Round 14 match in a draw. The Rebels were more accurate with 4.1 (25) to 3.7 (25), but both teams came away with an equal two points.

Neither side could register too much on the scoreboard in the opening term with a solitary behind apiece, before GWV’s accuracy proved to be crucial during the second quarter, nailing 2.0 to 1.3 to take a narrow three-point lead into the main break. Led by Acacia Sutton, the Power worked back into the contest with two goals to one in the third term to lead by five points head into the final change.

While the game was neck-and-neck, a rushed behind in the 12th minute for Gippsland Power made it one straight kick the difference before Sarah Burton became the saviour for the Rebels, booting a match-tying goal three minutes later to ensure her side came away with a couple of points. Burton would finish with 16 disposals, four marks, six tackles, four clearances and two goals to be one of the standouts for the Rebels.

Promising double bottom-ager Tessa Wilson was superb around the ball and helping out in defence, repelling a dominant Gippsland Power attack with seven rebound 50s to go with her 24 touches, nine tackles and four clearances. Ivy Roberts (20 disposals, three tackles, six clearances and seven rebound 50s) was also huge, while Macy Irvin stepped up in the absence of other key midfielders to lay 16 tackles to accompany 15 disposals.

Gippsland had a whopping 42 inside 50s to 17 but could only muster three goals – from 10 scoring shots – which came off the back of a plus-six in clearances. Sutton finished as the game’s best with 32 disposals, five tackles, seven clearances and eight inside 50s, while Hannah Fitzgerald continued her impressive performance last week with 18 disposals, three marks, four tackles, two clearances and five inside 50s. Miley Norbury (18 disposals, two tackles, six clearances and five inside 50s) and the silky Taylah Mizzi (17 disposals, seven tackles, four clearances and six inside 50s) were also strong in the draw.

STANDINGS

9th. Gippsland Power (3-7-1) | 4th in Country Pool
10th. GWV Rebels (2-6-1) | 5th in Country Pool

REMAINING FIXTURES

Gippsland Power – Sandringham Dragons, Oakleigh Chargers, Northern Knights
GWV Rebels – Sandringham Dragons, Calder Cannons, Bendigo Pioneers, Geelong Falcons, Western Jets

RACE FOR FOURTH

Gippsland and GWV are essentially battling it out for a finals spot with Tasmania Devils (3-3) still only just ahead of the two sides, but also with less games to work with this season. Geelong Falcons (1-7) and Bendigo Pioneers (1-8) will need to rack up a few wins in the final few rounds if they are to contest finals series, while the Rebels play three sides below them, while the Power only play one.