Big V women’s strike gold in debut rep match

VAFA Women’s kick-started their Big V journey in emphatic fashion, defeating AFL Goldfields by 49 points at Mars Stadium in North Ballarat yesterday.

Led by a best-on-ground performance from Irena Malliaras (Caulfield Grammarians) and a three-goal haul from Sarah Cameron (SKOB Saints), the Big V won the game in the second half as they piled on six goals to one.

It was a tough first quarter as both outfits asserted their dominance but remained goalless until Cameron converted a set shot after the siren to give the Big V a seven-point lead at the first break. Mietta McDonald (Old Haileybury) picked up where Cameron left off as she gathered and snapped a left-foot stunner four minutes into the second term, the first of two goals for the Hearts goal sneak, and extended the lead to 13 points which remained until the main break due to the elite defensive prowess of Riley Christgoergl (Old Xaverians) and the Big V back six holding the Goldfields scoreless.

Tash Ross-Harris (Fitzroy-ACU) exerted her influence in the ruck for the Big V as she continually palmed the ball into the hands of her midfielders, before following up and gathering a bevy of disposals throughout the match.

The Big V broke the shackles of the Goldfields in the third with three goals to one before mirroring their own production in the fourth while keeping their opponents scoreless in the final term.

Captain Claire Messent (Old Trinity), Sasha Long (Beaumaris) and Grace Buchan (Caulfield Grammarians) gathered disposals at will, while Kate Macqueen (Ormond) put her hand up for AFLW selection with a supreme performance at centre half forward. Macqueen’s ability to complete contested marks with one grab is second-to-none in the women’s competition and it was showcased in its entirety throughout the match.

The Big V women completed an outstanding weekend of representative football for the VAFA, with the seniors defeating AFL Victoria Country by 82 points and the U19’s falling valiantly by just four on Saturday in Frankston.

Best: Malliaris, Christgoergl, Cameron, Messent, McDonald

Goals: Cameron 3, McDonald 2, Messent 2, Macqueen

Spirit of the Big V: Riley Christgoergl

Best on Ground: Irena Malliaris