by Murray Silby
NT Thunder’s women have recorded another comprehensive win in Melbourne after defeating Melbourne University by 69 points, 13.10 (88) to 3.1 (19), in Round 4 of the VFL W.
Thunder dominated its opponent during their clash at Avalon Airport Oval in Werribee. Even with one of the superstars of women’s football, Emma Kearney, in their ranks, the MUGARS were held to single goals in the first, second and last quarters and none in the third.
Meanwhile, Thunder booted five majors in the first quarter, three in the second, three in the third and two in the last.
Playing in its first ever VFL W season, Thunder won its first two matches by 54 points over Darebin and 72 points over Essendon and is starting to look as though it’ll be one of the hunted as the season progresses.
“At the start of the year, we didn’t know how we’d go, and then we had a good win down here (over Darebin) and then to come back down to Melbourne in Round 4 and get another one it’s great,” Thunder coach Tim Weatherald said.
The win and the size of it were even more impressive given Thunder went into the game with five debutants and a total of seven changes from the Round 3 win over Essendon.
The debutants included vice-captain Sally Riley, a former captain of Tracy Village in the NTFL and now based in Adelaide with the Crows’ AFLW team.
The others were Darwin-based quartet Kylie Duggan, Jemma Iacono, Sophia Mauboy and Sue Nalder.
“Obviously Sally Riley, she’s a great player and vice-captain of the side,” Weatherald said.
“She’s been playing in the SANFL for Norwood and played in the grand final a few weeks ago and so had to sit out for a few weeks and her first game was pretty good.
“She kicked the first goal of the game. The girls love her, she’s such an enthusiastic player, and she really did lead from the front.”
Weatherald said the other debutants also acquitted themselves well in the match.
“Sophia Mauboy played across half back and showed some great run and did some really exciting stuff,” he suggested.
“Kylie Duggan and Jemma Iacono were playing their first games. It’s a big step for those girls and I thought as the game went on they got used to the tackling pressure on them and they started to find the ball a bit more, which is really good and I’m sure they’ll get better from that.”
One of the Thunder players on debut was small forward Nalder, and Weatherald said she made the opposition sit up and take notice.
She and fellow forward Jordann Hickey led the scoring with three each.
“Probably the stand out for me was little sneaky Sue Nalder,” Weatherald added. “She snuck a couple of goals and was really dangerous up forward. I know a lot of people were impressed with how clean her hands were.”
Like Thunder’s previous two games though, there was a significant contribution from across all the lines.
“All girls really contributed,” Weatherald said. “Which I think has been the best thing about the whole team and each week trying to name the best five or six players has been hard because everyone really does contribute each week and that’s why we’re doing well as a team.
“We’re all putting in and giving our best.”
Other key contributors were captain Angela Foley in the centre, Jess Allan celebrated her birthday with a fine display in the ruck, Chelsea Randall was excellent as usual on the ball and across half-back, and Sarah Allan took some excellent marks in defence.
The performances of Sam Barnett and Jasmine Anderson also showed they’re continuing to grow in confidence.
SCORES
MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY: 1.0, 2.0, 2.0, 3.1 (19)
NT THUNDER: 5.3, 8.6, 11.10, 13.10 (88)
GOALS: Melbourne University – Sophie Abbatangelo, Rhiannon Green, Ashleigh Riddell.
NT Thunder – Jordann Hickey 3, Sue Nalder 2, Marijana Rajcic 2, Jessica Sedunary 2, Jess Allan, Sally Riley, Emma Swanson
BEST: Melbourne University – data not available
NT Thunder – Angela Foley, Jess Allan, Sue Nalder, Sarah Allan, Chelsea Randall, Machaelia Roberts.