ADF women in battle for national title

LEUT Thea Collie (with bandana) contests possession against NSW. Photo by CPL Ashley Roach

Victoria proved too strong at this year’s National Women’s AFL championships, taking out the title over Western Australia in the final.

The ADF women’s team competed for the third time, hoping to put the heat on the powerful state sides in Darwin. After winning two games and finishing fourth at the 2002 championships in Sydney, the ADF team was unable to get a victory this year, but came close nonetheless.

The following is a breakdown of each match, provided by coach WO Kim Beasland.

WA 9.7 (61) def ADF 4.1 (25)

A hard task first up, taking on WA who played Victoria in the final. The ADF took the game to the West Aussies for three-and-a-half quarters before the opposition kicked four unanswered goals in the last ten minutes of the last quarter to seal the game.
Best - Paula Bunting, Michelle Sheather, Emma Hender, Susan Osborn and LEUT Thea Collie. Goals - 2 Katie Staines, 1 Sarah Siliwka and Renae Fritzel-Flint.

NT 8.3 (51) def ADF 2.4 (16)

A lack-lustre effort on the part of the ADF saw the NT literally run over the ADF who slowed to a walk and then almost a standstill.
Best - LEUT Thea Collie, Emma Murphy, Jada Bendall, Michelle Sheather, Emma Hender. Goals - Renae Fritzel-Flint and Emma Murphy.

Vic 22.11 (143) def ADF 0.0 (0)

Always a hard task against the Victorian team, the undefeated champions since the inception of the championships. Best - Michelle Sheather, Emma Murphy, Susan Osborn, Emma Hender and Sarah Booth.

NSW 4.2 (26) def ADF 4.1 (25)

A disappointing show against NSW as the ADF side exhibited difficulty in applying the team rules and adhering to the game plan. A match of lost opportunities as ADF had two shots at goal in the dying minutes of the last term for just a single behind as the return.

Best - Jada Bendall, Michelle Sheather, Susan Osborn, Emma Hender and AB Michelle Cannon. Goals - 3 Sarah Siliwka and Emma Murphy.

NT 6.5 (41) def ADF 2.1 (13)

The hardest-fought contest of the week as the ADF went into the game severely undermanned with the late withdrawal of three key midfielders due to injury.

Best - LEUT Thea Collie, Susan Osborn, Vicki Block, Chev Calver and Emma Hender. Goals - Vicki Block and Katie Staines.
n The team: CAPT Rebecca Honey (c), CPL Paula Bunting (v/c), CPL Emma Hender (v/c), CPL Melinda Pearce, LCPL Renae Fritzel-Flint, CPL Katie Staines, SGT Susan Osborn, PTE Chev Calver, LACW Katie Gallin, LT Michelle Sheather, CPL Vicki Block, SIG Natalie Kaminsk, LEUT Thea Collie (Albatross), FLTLT Cathy Rubin, LT Jada Bendall, SIG Sarah Siliwka, CPL Nicole Stephens, LACW Sarah Booth, LT Maggie Chambers, SIG Emma Murphy, AB Michelle Cannon (Coonawarra), CAPT Dani Glatz, ACW Gemma Heaton. Coach WO2 Kim Beasland, assistant coach/runner LS Simon Hibbert (Coonawarra), manager WO1 Reg Jones.

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