Match report: Multicultural team too strong for Indigenous team
Two teams of 13-16-year-old girls assembled on Tom Wills Oval, Sydney Olympic Park today to play a game of footy. The teams comprised talented Indigenous or multicultural players, selected as part of Multicultural and Indigenous Youth Leadership Programs, supported by Transport for NSW.
This game felt a long time coming after a previous attempt to hold it during the Term 3 school holidays was stifled by inclement weather, sometimes reported as “biblical rain”. There was none of that for this match though, with perfect conditions for footy greeting the playres.
Spurred on by the presence of AFLW players Aliesha Newman (Sydney Swans) and Haneen Zreika (GIANTS), energy was high throughout the four quarters, with some tremendous athleticism and game sense on show.
Ultimately, it was the Multicultural team, too strong for Indigenous, winning 9.4.58 to 4.4.28.
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Quarter 1
Both teams bounced out of the blocks, with hard attack on the footy. There was plenty of strong marking and clean ground ball gathers.
Neither side could establish dominance over the other but Lily Race (Glebe Greyhounds) broke the deadlock for the Multicultural side. Shortly after, Ruby Spark (Tamworth Kangaroos) gave the Indigenous team their start.
Multicultural 1.0.6 Indigenous 1.1.7
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Q1 best
Multicultural
Lily Race (Glebe Greyhounds)
Indigenous
Ruby Spark (Tamworth Kangaroos), Savanah Newtown (Cardiff Hawks), Ava Hinton (North Broken Hill)
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Quarter 2
The Multicultural team established their dominance in the quarter thanks to back to back goals from Jenna Whitehand (Forest Lions).
The Indigenous team fought hard largely thanks to the defensive efforts of Yve Fittock (Northern Districts Tigers) Shaleah Cooper (Moama) and some strong marks, but couldn’t capitalise on a string of inside 50s in the middle of the quarter.
Multicultural 3.2.20 Indigenous 1.2.8
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Q2 best
Multicultural
Jenna Whitehand (Forest Lions), Montana Doubell (Figtree Kangaroos), Aysha Sanchez (Bomaderry)
Indigenous
Yve Fittock (Northern Districts Tigers), Shaleah Cooper (Moama)
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Quarter 3
This quarter belonged to Lily Sullivan (Lane Cove Cats), who kicked three goals including two in a minute, to break the hearts of the rallying Indigenous side.
Imogen Hungerford (Willoughby) exerted herself on the wing, winning plenty of ball and disposing with expert efficiency.
Darcie Prosser-Shaw’s huge engine and awareness around the ball started to show as the Baulkham Hills player began to rack up possessions as the forward-entry architect.
The Indigenous team was led by Deja Barlow (Bellingen Bulldogs) who broke the lines on several occasions and delivered to her team mates. Deja almost kicked the goal of the day but it was slightly left of goal.
Lucy Driscoll (Bathurst Bushrangers) fought hard in defence, winning a couple of crucial free kicks thanks to her relentless pressure.
Multicultural 7.4.46 Indigenous 1.3.9
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Q3 best
Multicultural
Lily Sullivan (Lane Cove Cats), Darcie Prosser-Shaw (Baulkham Hills), Imogen Hungerford (Willoughby)
Indigenous
Deja Barlow (Bellingen Bulldogs), Lucy Driscoll (Bathurst Bushrangers)
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Quarter 4
With it all to play for, the Indigenous team threw caution to the wind and it paid off. Charli Hunter (Orange Tigers) kicked two goals and Emmerson Lihou (North Broken Hill) added a third, giving the team a sniff at an unlikely victory.
But ultimately, the Multicultural team’s lead was unassailable, with Lily Sullivan’s goal on the siren (her fourth for the match) the icing on the cake.
Multicultural 9.4.58 Indigenous 4.4.28
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Q4 best
Multicultural
Steph Wilkins (St Ives)
Indigenous
Charli Hunter (Orange Tigers), Emmerson Lihou (North Broken Hill)
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BEST ON GROUND
Multicultural – Darcie Prosser-Shaw (Baulkham Hills)
Indigenous – Yve Fittock (Northern Districts Tiger)
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Support from Transport for NSW
Transport for NSW is an invaluable supporter of AFL NSW/ACT’s Indigenous Youth Leadership Programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth since 2014.
Through the programs, Transport for NSW has imparted wisdom onto dozens of our young leaders about the importance of road safety and developing leadership in their community by reinforcing road safety messages to help our state move Towards Zero road fatalities by 2056.
Thank you for Transport for NSW’s ongoing support of our young and talented leaders.
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