Last Sunday’s AFL curtain raiser between one of the youngest teams in the WAWFL, Peel Thunderbirds, and the more experienced Swan Districts side was a wonderful showcase of women’s football and a great promotion for the development that has occurred over the last 25 years.
The game, which was played as the curtain-raiser to the West Coast Eagles v North Melbourne game at Patersons Stadium, saw the Thunderbirds bring the crowd to life in the third quarter with a terrific fight-back, before Swans’ experience shone through to claim a 34-point win.
Officiated by an all-female umpiring team, the game promised to be a great contest and neither team disappointed the crowd of nearly 3000 who came early to support them.
With a mixture of first time players in their rookie season, through to State 18s players and even some All-Australians, the game was filled with well executed tackles, a spectacular high flying mark from Swan Districts All-Australian Chelsea Randall, and highly disciplined team work.
The State 18s players on both sides dominated with smooth transitions and very skilful use of the ball at all times, perhaps a reflection of all the training they put in ahead of the National Championships.
Scoreboard
Swan Districts 2.2 6.7 7.8 9.13 (67)
Peel Thunderbirds 0.2 1.2 4.3 5.3 (33)
Goals – Swan Districts: Asha Price – 3, Chelsea Randall – 2, Lara Turner – 2, Gabrielle Moran – 1, Caitlin Johnson – 1. Peel Thunderbirds: Tayla Bresland – 2, Chelsea Gogin – 1, Emma Swanson – 1, Sabrina Traub – 1
