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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Promising double bottom-ager Tessa Wilson<\/a> 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<\/a> (20 disposals, three tackles, six clearances and seven rebound 50s) was also huge, while Macy Irvin<\/a> stepped up in the absence of other key midfielders to lay 16 tackles to accompany 15 disposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a> continued her impressive performance last week with 18 disposals, three marks, four tackles, two clearances and five inside 50s. Miley Norbury<\/a> (18 disposals, two tackles, six clearances and five inside 50s) and the silky Taylah Mizzi<\/a> (17 disposals, seven tackles, four clearances and six inside 50s) were also strong in the draw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n STANDINGS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 9th. Gippsland Power (3-7-1) | 4th in Country Pool REMAINING FIXTURES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gippsland Power – Sandringham Dragons, Oakleigh Chargers, Northern Knights RACE FOR FOURTH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
10th. GWV Rebels (2-6-1) | 5th in Country Pool<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GWV Rebels – Sandringham Dragons, Calder Cannons, Bendigo Pioneers, Geelong Falcons, Western Jets<\/p>\n\n\n\n