SANFLW Development League Match Report – Round 7 vs Central District

We faced off against Central Districts in the final round of the Development League with hopes of capturing a long-awaited win. Centrals won the toss and kicked with a slight wind advantage.

Centrals had a lot of momentum early on, they were running harder, winning clearances and we were slow to match this while also struggling to be clean and hit targets.

They managed to score twice and go into the break 15 points up with us remaining scoreless.

The second quarter was much the same as the first. Centrals still controlled most areas of the ground, and we lacked intensity and continued to make basic skill areas.

Brooke Trevena and Niamh Davis were battling hard in defense and Kendall Saffin and young Molly Petersen were trying to spark something on the field.

Neither team could impact on the scoreboard, and we entered half-time 14 points down and yet to score a goal.

Going into the breeze in the third quarter we needed to lift our pressure and intensity and give ourselves some opportunity leading into the last.

Despite responding and creating opportunities we failed to capitalise and Centrals increased their lead to 21 points at the last break with us still goalless for the game.

Arabella Prowse had come on-ball and impacted while Paris Francis started to lift up forward.

Going with the wind in the last we finally were able to penetrate and when Paris Francis and Kendall Saffin both scored goals, we had a glimpse of hope. Unfortunately, Centrals steadied with a goal and ran out winners by 14 points.

We finished the development season 2 and 5 and struggled to be able to score enough to win games.

A couple of players, notably Brooke Trevena and Sam Ramm announced their retirement from SANFLW, and we want to thank them for their contribution and wish them all the best in the future.

Final scores: West– 2.4 – 16 to Centrals 4.6 – 30

Best players: Kendall Saffin, Niamh Davis, Molly Petersen, Brooke Trevena, Arabella Prowse, Lucy Waye

Goal Kickers: Paris Francis, Kendall Saffin (1)

Michael Wakim – Development League Coach