VICTORIA has claimed an historic 27-point victory in the VFLW's first ever state clash with the SANFLW on Friday evening.
As the first women's footy to be played as part of the AFL's Gather Round festivities, the Big V took on both the South Australians and their hostile home crowd to run out 9.9 (63) to 4.12 (36) victors at a stunning Alberton Oval.
Back-to-back goals to open the last quarter narrowed Victoria's five-goal lead and gave South Australia hope, but a settler from best on ground medallist Tahlia Fellows secured it for the Victorians.
The visitors got the fast start, with four first-quarter goals to throw the Croweaters on the back foot from the off. It was Fellows (four goals, three inside 50s) and Lily-Rose Williamson (two goals, fourteen disposals) who did the damage on the scoreboard.
It all started in the midfield however, as the Big V captain Dominique Carbone (25 disposals, five tackles) showed off her clean skill below the knees, and an uncanny ability to hit up teammates in strong positions.
After that early burst, the home side began to take control midway through the second quarter, but couldn't make it count on the scoreboard. Despite generating seven opportunities at goal in the quarter to Victoria's three, they were able to convert just one goal off the foot of Christina Leuzzi.
Leuzzi, voted as South Australia's best on ground, was the architect in the middle with a team high 23 disposals and 13 tackles to go with her goal.
She was well supported by Jess Bates (21 disposals, nine tackles) who was forced to work through some close-checking from Meg Macdonald, while Hannah Button (14 disposals, six tackles) and Zoe Venning (14 disposals, six tackles) were both tireless at the contest.
But the power of Victoria's midfield, including Carbone, Alana Barba (23 disposals, five tackles), and Macdonald (12 disposals, three tackles) proved too strong.
The Victorians' ability to spread from the contest and get the ball into space repeatedly hurt the home side, with Fellows' speed and Sharnie Whiting's booming boot reliable in clearing South Australia's defensive wall.
In the face of South Australia's territory game through the third quarter it was Sophie Casey, Tamsin Crook, and Tessa Boyd who stood tall, while El Chaston proved their leadership from half back, pressing high up the ground when needed, but able to get back and defend effectively.
SANFLW star Katelyn Rosenzweig threatened to break the game open, with her aerial strength increasing as the game wore on, but her one goal from three opportunities told the tale of South Australia's day. Kiana Lee (one goal, three marks) and Jade Halfpenny (10 disposals) also threatened to do some damage, but were ultimately well-held.
SANFLW 0.1 1.6 2.11 4.12 (36)
VFLW 4.2 7.2 8.5 9.9 (63)
GOALS
SANFLW: Lauren Breguet, Kiana Lee, Christina Leuzzi, Katelyn Rosenzweig
VFLW: Tahlia Fellows 4, Lily-Rose Williamson 2, El Chaston, Nyakoat Dojiok, Sharnie Whiting
BEST
SANFLW: Christina Leuzzi, Jess Bates, Laela Ebert, Zoe Venning, Melissa Anderson, Tiffany King
VFLW: Tahlia Fellows, Alana Barba, Dominique Carbone, Lily-Rose Williamson, El Chaston, Sophie Casey
