De La Salle vs Box Hill North

Match Report

Coming out of the bye and commencing a crucial 5 week block of matches to conclude the home and away season, the Guns registered an important 4 point victory over 4th placed Box Hill North at home in the club’s first ever Pride Match.

Led superbly by captain Drizzy, the Guns were looking sharp from the first bounce. And that wasn’t just with football in hand. Decked out in rainbow socks and rainbow laces, the team were proudly raising awareness for those people that can face significant barriers in their life merely based on who they are and who they love.

The first 5 minutes of the match was played at a frenetic pace with the Guns on top in the middle, thanks to Izy Catrice giving our mids first use of the ball, as well as at both ends of the ground. Scarlett Hilliard and Anieke ten Harkel dominated the aerial contests down back, our starting midfield of Izy, Drizzy, Poppy Palma and Grace Martin were getting their hands on the ball, and, as they have done all season, Sass Walker set the tone up forward with manic pressure and breakaway speed resulting in them registering the first goal of the match. Estelle Ashkar kept on creating opportunities up forward, with Imogen Stanhope just centimetres away from being able to capitalise on one of these. Imogen continues to play an important role in maintaining our forward structure, and it was great to see debutante Erin Tatlow start to influence the game with her positioning. The pace of the game settled down, and Box Hill North were able to wrest back the initiative, kicking a late goal to bring the margin back to 2 points at quarter time.

Once again, the first 5 minutes of the second quarter was played at breakneck speed, with De La on top. Jess Coleman was moved up forward and provided an excellent target. Their constant movement providing options for our midfield to kick to as well as providing space for others to lead in to. Poppy’s positioning around the contest allowed them to get a heap of the footy, but it is their reading of the play and knowing where to stand to intercept the opposition attacks that continues to stand out. An early goal to Drizzy saw us go out to a 10 point lead, but again Box Hill North were able to slow the game down and restrict our forward entries. With the ball spending more time in our backline, it was excellent physical play from Jemima Nash, Claire Brace and Charlotte Jansson, and more aerial dominance from Scarlett and Anieke that helped to keep Box Hill North scoreless. Jen Males relentless running on the wing, including to provide additional defensive coverage was crucial, whilst Brooke Scallion’s pressure, especially their ability to run down opposition when they look like running away from a contest, was exactly what we want to bring each week.

Box Hill North came out after half time and increased their tackling pressure, making it difficult for us to get quick, clean ball movement. Alana Archer started to get on top when put in to the ruck, helping to clear congestion with smart tapwork. With the ball spending a lot more time in Box Hill North’s half of the ground, our defence did an excellent job of constantly re-structuring to counter the rapidly changing forward set up they were faced with. Stevie Hatzis started to play a more negating role, and with Rosie Sheppard and Charlotte Borg was able to stop Box Hill North from capitilising on the scoreboard.

The final quarter started with De La holding a 9 point lead, but this was quickly erased as Box Hill North kicked the first 2 goals of the final quarter to take a 3 point lead. The Guns didn’t drop their heads, and continued to play attacking football, creating multiple forward 50 entries. Eventually, Grace took the initiative to hit a forward 50 stoppage at pace, winning the contested ball and kicking a goal of the outside of their right boot to put us back in front.

The final 6 minutes saw Box Hill North have opportunities to go inside their forward 50, but Paige Hinrichs, Scarlett and Anieke simply would not let the ball get passed them. The final 2 minutes of the game had 2 of the best pieces of ball movement through the midfield that we have had all year, as players used chains of handball to break through congestion and get the ball moving forward. It was great to see players take on the game as we want to do, and it meant that the ball spent most of these final 2 minutes of the game in our forward half. This included some contests where we were outnumbered, but fought hard to cause a ball up on our half forward line. One of these contests in particular was incredibly pleasing, with first gamer Erin combining with Sass to halve an important contest just as Box Hill North looked like they were about to break away and set up a chain of possessions along the wing. The last contest of the day saw Jess Carson put her body on the line to ensure Box Hill North were unable to clear the ball from defence and resulting in a behind to us.

The final siren saw the Guns run out 4 point winners, but the game was worth so much more than that. With Old Carey beating La Trobe, we now sit 2nd on the ladder with 4 rounds remaining, 1 game clear of La Trobe, 2 games clear of Box Hill North and 3 games clear of Old Carey.

After the game, players from both sides came together on field for a message from the coaches about the importance of this Pride Match, and then gathered in the club rooms for a Pride Match Lunch. MC’d by comedian Scout Boxall, players, family and friends from both teams gathered to enjoy an entertaining afternoon. We were also extremely lucky to have Guns captain Drizzy share their story, including of how a football club can provide an important, supportive community to those whose family and other communities may not do so.

Huge thanks go to Box Hill North coach, Steve Jackson, and the players and support staff that stayed for lunch and supported this important initiative.

GOALS: Sass Walker, Drizzy, Grace Martin
BEST: Scarlett Hilliard, Grace Martin, Poppy Palma, Sass Walker, Izy Catrice, Drizzy

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