By Mathew Asciak
Under lights at Piranha Park, the Senior Women’s team took on the Seaford Tigerettes in the opening game of the 2022 SEWFL season, which featured twelve debutants for the Burgers. The Lions earned a hard fought seven-point victory, winning 5.4. (34) to Seaford 4.3. (27). This brings an end to Seaford’s unbeaten run, which traces back to 2019.
The Lions opened the scoring through some good transition play out of defence, catching the defence on their heels, allowing Ruby Taranto to open the scoring with a composed right foot snap from the pocket.
Seaford had the better of the centre clearances in the opening five minutes, but some great individual efforts from Mia Muscat, Dacia Abela and Brittney Gray held the Tigerettes momentum at bay.
The Lions kept the pressure on the Tigerettes defence, keeping the ball moving forward. Sophie Damon was left unmarked after a stoppage, allowing for an easy mark, resulting in the Lions second of the night. The Lions took a slender seven-point lead into the first break.
Seaford began brightly in the second term, kicking the opening goal of the term at the eight-minute mark and the having majority of possession and created repeat inside 50 opportunities. The quarter was much tighter after the halfway mark, with most of the play being between the arcs, with neither team able to create a clear scoring opportunity.
Coburg had the ascendancy to begin the third term, kicking the opening goal at the five-minute mark through Teagan Brett. Not much to separate the two teams, with the Lions taking a one-point lead into the final term.
Despite losing the lead early in the quarter, some work in the centre bounce kept the Lions in the game, not allowing Seaford to take a stronghold on the game. A strong contested mark and goal from Regina Said reinstated Coburg into the lead, with just over 10 minutes to play. A late 15m penalty gave Maddie Edwards the chance to seal it for the Lions with one minute to go, giving them a seven-point victory.
An award was given to Tash Phipps, for the player judged best on ground.
FINAL SCORE:
Coburg: 2.1.(13) | 2.1.(13) | 3.2.(20) | 5.4.(34)
Seaford: 1.0.(6) | 2.1.(13) | 3.1.(19) | 4.3.(27)
Goals:
Taranto, Damon, Brett, Said, Edwards
