Disappointed: The ADF women’s team suffered seven straight losses during the AFL Women’s National Championships in Canberra, during what will be their last year contesting the event. Photo by LS Yuri Ramsey

BEATEN but better for the experience was how ADF coach WO2 Kim Beasland described his team’s efforts at the Australian Football League Women’s National Championships in Canberra from July 9-14.

The ADF went without a win against some hot competition but the yards were hard and the Defence women did them, though the scores taken in isolation would seem a hard arbiter of performance.

“I was pretty pleased with the performances across the board,” WO2 Beasland said.

“We certainly had some winnable games.

“We were in front at half-time in our opening game against South Australia, but our intensity dropped off in the second and we let them in.

“We were kicking ourselves for the rest of the carnival because we knew that was one we could have won.

“Day two proved tough, playing three of the four top sides in the championship.

“The girls’ resolve increased significantly and we were able to take that intensity to them throughout the day.

“We were one of two sides to have to play three games in the one day so it was a hard day at the office, but the girls did not disgrace themselves

“Against Queensland, we held them scoreless for the first 15 minutes of the second half – no mean feat in matches of 20-minute halves.

“We took the game up to Western Australia and they were pretty impressed. The word out there was that we were not easybeats despite the fact that we lost by a big margin.

“The match against NSW on day three looked ‘gettable’ but the team seemed to perform very well in the hard games but intensity dropped off in the achievable games.

“It was an arm-wrestle for most of the game but we did not come out on top.

“Against the ACT, I echoed my sentiments to the management that the umpiring left a lot to be desired. But the girls’ resolve and intensity remained high and I told them I was quite proud of their performance.

“It was a tough ask against a well-groomed Victoria which has won the trophy for the past few years.

“That was tough but we never gave up. The only thing you can ask is that they don’t surrender and they did not.”

While the overall championship was disappointing in some respects, for the most the team had impressed across the board and lacked nothing in endeavour, WO2 Beasland said.

“There were some surprise packets,” he said. “Sgt Jorja Jones has a bit of a rugby background and is developing well. Navy’s Smn Hailey Merrick was a good contributor, AB Katie Goggins was consistent across the board, Capt Kelly McFarlane did quite well and AB Hailey Park was very fast on the wing.

“We had a broad base of experience from those who have played in this carnival over many years, including three girls who have played all the way through.

“The future for Defence women’s Australian football is positive. The experience from this carnival will leave them in better stead.

The girls will leave from here, go back to club footy and user their experience there and try harder in the future.”

WO2 Beasland said it was a little disappointing that this would be the last carnival the ADF team participated in because the Australian Football League wanted to move to a true State-based national championship.

The championship began in 1991 and the ADF has been involved on and off since 1998, when a combined ACT/ADF side was entered. It has competed in its own right most years since 2000, as well as providing umpiring and support logistics this year.

“We are a little disappointed that we won’t be continuing,” WO2 Beasland said. “In its current format it is a valuable flagship for ADF women’s football and gave us the opportunity to play against the best that Australia can offer.”

FOOTY WRAP UP

SA 7.6 (48) b ADF 2.2 (14).
Goals: Smn Hailey Merrick, LACW Trudi Lines. Best: Capt Kelly McFarlane, AB Kate Goggins, Smn Hailey Merrick, Sgt Jorja Jones, AB Nikki Furlong.
Qld 4.7 (31) b ADF 0.1 (1).
Best: Smn Hailey Merrick, Sgt Katie Staines (Air Force), AB Kate Goggins.
WA 9.4 (58) b ADF 0.2 (2).
Best: AB Kate Goggins, Smn Hailey Merrick, Sgt Jorja Jones, AB Nikki Furlong.
Vic under-19s 14.4 (76) b ADF 0.0 (0).
Best: Capt Kelly McFarlane, AB Natasha Wilson, AB Kate Goggins. NSW 5.5 (35) b ADF 2.5 (17)
Goals: Cpl Nikki Faulkner, OCdt Candice Bowden (RAAF). Best: AB Nikki Furlong, AB Hailey Park, Cpl Nikki Faulkner.
ACT 3.5 (23) b ADF 0.0 (0).
Best: AB Hailey Park, Sgt Jorja Jones.
Vic under-19s 18.13 (121) b ADF 0.0 (0).
Best: Smn Hailey Merrick, Cpl Emma Hender.
Final: Vic 12.6 (78) b WA 4.3 (27).