Women's Footy Day visits Kerang I Australian Rural & Regional News

Womens Football — Alethea D’Silva from Koondrook makes a running kick into the Warra Blues forward line.
Photo: Kendall Jennings

Kendall Jennings, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

The inaugural ‘Girls Footy Festival’ made its stop at Kerang on Sunday, May 15. Three games of Under 14s girls football kicked off the action in the morning, supported by a match from the Bendigo Junior Football League Under 18 girls scheduled to play at Woorinen, which was moved to Kerang, followed by a Central Victorian Women’s League match in the afternoon.

In the Under 14s, Woorinen kicked two goals, six behinds (18) to defeat Sea Lake Nandaly with one goal and seven behinds (13) in game one. Erin Johnston and Meg Young kicked a goal and Paige Higginbottom, Ruby Calder, Willow Cadd, Milla Stewart, Ellah Dunn and Chloe Lovell were the best players for Woorinen. Aurora Day kicked a goal for Sea Lake Nandaly with Remi Pickering, Aurora Day, Keira Barton, Teyana Barton, Braidy Ellis and Tyler Arnett the best players.

Womens footy — Ngaire Harlan (#28) tucks the ball into her arm and takes a run.
Photo: Kendall Jennings

Tyntynder Under 14 girls booted five goals, 10 behinds (40) to defeat Birchip Watchem, four goals, two behinds (26) in match two. Lily Humphreys is under a season permit, and Eedie Rowe kicked two goals with Mineva Cotton, Kiarah Browne, Macada Russell, Hayley Yasa, Lily Humphreys and Mia Sharp the best players for Birchip Watchem. Violet Corrie kicked two goals and Arna Carroll, Reve O’Toole and Sienna Spence kicked one with Lauren Clarke, Hollie Everett, Kieley Styles, Arna Carroll, Mayla Conway and Ruby Butler the best players for Tyntynder.

In the final match of the Under 14s, Swan Hill kicked eight goals, nine behinds to defeat Warra Blues, two goals, one behind. Lilly Wise and season permitted Reagan Good kicked one goal with Carla Peacock, Reagan Good, Lily Wise, Jenna Gray and Natalie Spark the best players for the Warra Blues. Ivy Patterson kicked three goals, Lana Brooks and Emily Pekin kicked two, and Mia Hirst kicked one. Mia Hirst, Lana Brooks, Lola Patterson, Ivy Patterson, Brooke Pearson and Miela Roberts were the best players for Swan Hill.

Woorinen Under 18 girls dominated the match against White Hills. Woorinen led from start to finish, kicking 12 goals, eight behinds, defeating White Hills with one goal, two behinds.

Injured player — A shortened match for the Womens: The North Bendigo player lying motionless on the ground as a teammate didn’t leave her side supporting her neck instantly. The Bridge can confirm that the injured player has now been released from hospital, bruised and a little worse for wear with no spinal fractures. Photo: Kendall Jennings

In the Central Victorian Women’s match, Kerang was quick off the mark to score in the first quarter and prevented North Bendigo from scoring. North Bendigo started to fire in the second quarter, and the game looked like it would be tight as North Bendigo halted Kerang’s scoring. In the third quarter, North Bendigo looked rejuvenated, and it was in their forward line that a hard tackle resulted in calling an ambulance. With a suspected spinal injury, the North Bendigo player could not be moved, leading to the match not playing to its entire length.

Kerang had kicked four goals and six behinds (30) to North Bendigo with two behinds (2). Casy Unger, Donal Fellows, Tenay Fellows, Jessica Searle, Sophie Peacock and Sarah Ride were the best players for Kerang, with Teagan Stuchbery being the best player for North Bendigo.