One game separates first and third AFL women

In Round Eight of the AFL Broken Hill Women’s competition, the second half of the season got underway, with South getting the edge over ladder-leaders North, while Central had a strong victory over West.

NORTH V SOUTH

South Roos were able to narrow the gap for first place on the ladder to one game, with the second-placed side getting the job done in a top-of-the-table clash which saw them run out 17 points winners against the North Bulldogs at Jubilee Oval on Saturday afternoon.

It was a strong start in the first quarter for the Roos, who registered eight scoring shots to none through the first 15 minutes of the game to lead by 18 points at the first break. The Bulldogs saw some shots on goal in the second quarter but couldn’t convert as no goals were kicked by either side during the middle quarters. In the final quarter, both teams kicked a goal each.

North’s Brooklyn Gibson kicked her side’s only goal of the game to take her tally to 13 for the season, while Melisa Keenan was the game’s only multiple goalscorer, kicking two majors for South, continuing a string of big bags kicked in recent weeks as she cracked 20 goals in the year, while Abbey Johns also got on the score sheet.

Goals: Melisa Keenan (South) 2, Abbey Johns (South), Brooklyn Gibson (North) 1

CENTRAL V WEST

Central Magpies began the game strong, and never looked back ahead of registering a 77-point victory against West Robins, keeping in touch with the ladder-leaders, one game behind top spot, and only sitting out of the top two on percentage.

Back-to-back four-goal quarters in the first half of the game allowed for a 53-point lead going into the main break with the ‘Pies continuing to pile on the scores in the second half too. The Robins were unable to hit the scoreboard at all.

April Dempster and Nikki Phillips each continued their recent goalkicking streaks with three goals apiece on the day. Five individual goalkickers featured, including co-captains Ashleigh Anderson and Phoebe Knell, and Daisy Tyrrell kicking her first goal of the season.

Goals: April Dempster (Central), Nikki Phillips (Central) 3

The women’s competition takes a short break, with the local competition resuming on Saturday, July 15, when West will host Central at Jubilee Oval, and South host North at Alma Oval, with both games underway from 11.25am.