Female AFL a huge talking point
Karratha team getting ready to take to the field
Who was that Number 5 from Hedland?
Who was that Number 7 from the Karratha team?
Well, they were WA state reps Rikki Ryder and Chelsea Randall strutting their stuff at Kevin Richards with some of our own home-grown female talent.
In fact, Chelsea Randall is two times All-Australian and has played on the MCG as part of the AFL high performance program!
Everyone who saw the female game on Friday night had the same thing to say, “I didn’t know they’d be that good.”
All agree they were.
And five days later it was the game from the weekend that everyone is still talking about.
In the match against Hedland, Karratha led early with some great forward running from Pip Browne and Queva Mills and the hard fought clearance work by Dolores Brockman.
Karratha was the first to hit the scoreboard as the Hedland side struggled to get past the very determined defensive forward Holly Vernan and solid full back Bernie Shepherd.
Kat Pridmore was a rock at centre half back and provided many forward moves through her silky skills, hitting running players Ali Richards, Sarah Buchanan and Jen Menzies who toiled hard on their wings.
The Karratha side kicked away through Bree Burke and Katie Jordan who will still be all smiles after slotting long range goals.
Missy Hands from Karratha filled in for Hedland and was the stand out forward for the visiting side, nearly stealing the game with smooth movements and powerful kicking.
Huge last quarters by the experienced Tracy Washer and the speed of Queva Mills rested the win for Karratha.
Pip Browne was outstanding all day and, along with Cristy-Lee MacQueen, dominated in a variety of positions in their first game of AFL.
Browne was awarded the three votes by the umpires and received the pink footy as a memorable keepsake for her excellent game.
Karratha’s best included Dolores Brockman, Cristy-Lee MacQueen, Ali Richards, Kat Pridmore and Queva Mills in a great team effort.
Pip Browne was best afield while Bree Burke and Katie Jordan led the goal kicking.
It was great to see wives, daughters, mothers, sisters and girlfriends out there on the big stage proving that love of AFL knows no gender.
With the big game between Hedland and Karratha out of the way, the girls have demanded more footy. They are now working on a six to eight week competition weeks, starting in two weeks time and including fitness, skills, fun and two big matches.
The female footy festival will include games for women (16 and over), youth girls (eight to 11 years) and junior girls (four to seven years).
