Big V Women hang on in a thriller

The Big V Women received a late scare before ultimately seeing off a desperate finish from Perth Football League to win a nailbiting clash by a solitary point at Steel Blue Oval in Perth.

The travelling party were looking forward to playing in warm and firm conditions, but Mother Nature had a different plan, serving up ground and weather conditions more akin to a VAFA ground in the middle of winter, with heavy rain saturating the playing surface.

The rain gave way to a stiff breeze, leaving the players to battle slippery conditions underfoot and tricky conditions in the air, making for a scrappy and congested opening term where neither team could break free and punish the other.

The Vics drew first blood through a strong mark and goal to Asha Price, before 2 majors in 4 minutes to ex-AFLW forward Ash Sharp handed the home team a 7-point lead at the opening break.

It was clear that the Big V was going to be in for a fierce challenge as the hosts grew in confidence and belief, but all the hard grind of the second term resulted in just 3 behinds – all to the Vics, who closed within 4 points at the major break of a tight, tough struggle that saw both defences clearly on top.

“The opposition really focused on pressure and speed, and they certainly delivered on both,” said Big V coach, Paul Groves.

“We made a few tweaks at half-time and had a great third quarter into the breeze.”

The Vics hit the front early in the third term before Chloe Colgate responded for Perth. Old Scotch’s Mia Cowan was looking dangerous up front and put the Big V back in front at the 16-minute mark with a critical goal into the breeze.

Leading by 3 points and with the wind at their back in the last quarter, the Vics looked to have the game under control when Cowan kicked another at the 5-minute mark, before three consecutive behinds saw the visitors edge out beyond two goals in front.

“We moved Kate Stanton onto the ball in the last and that created some drive for us,” said Groves. “And Emily Condon was super across half back.

“We were comfortable being 13 points up with 5 minutes to play, but suddenly the game got a little too close for comfort with Ash Sharp’s two late goals after Vic Holt had played really well on her all game.”

Sharp had looked threatening all afternoon and her 2 goals in 2 minutes saw the hosts storm back within a point with time enough on the clock to steal it.

But the Vics showed composure late, taking territory and locking it in their front half to see out the clock and score a thrilling hard-fought 1-point win and successfully defend their unbeaten record.

“On behalf of all our players and staff, massive plaudits to the Perth girls,” said Groves.

“It was an extraordinary game where the pressure and everything else that Steffo (Steph Walding, Perth coach) has been trying to teach you in the last few weeks was put into practice. I appreciate your skills, you were fast and we had to pull out all the stops to get over the line.

“It’s really great to see – especially in Ammo footy – the strength over here, so congratulations to you guys.”

“Wow. What a game!” said Big V captain, Bree Doyle to her Perth FL opponents post-game.

“Your speed, agility, ability to move the ball fast and hit contest after contest was just amazing. From last year to this year – what an improvement. I just really appreciate the efforts you guys put in today, so thank you very much.

“And to our Big V players, you guys are amazing. We battle it out each week against each other and then here we are together. If we take anything from this, it’s the friendships that we’ve formed. We go back to community football now and hopefully we can bond together and really make sure women’s football is strong.”

Ella Ward was voted best afield for Perth Football League, while Kew’s Dakota Villiva, Old Scotch’s Mia Cowan, Caulfield Grammarians’ Kate McCarthy and St Kevin’s trio Kate Stanton, Emily Condon & Sarah Betts were all in the Big V’s best.

PERTH FL          2.1          2.1          3.1          5.1 (31)
VAFA                    1.0          1.3          3.4         4.8 (32)

Sunday July 7, 2024 at Steel Blue Oval, Bassendean

Watch the full match replay >