Photo: Solstice Digital
The Tasmania Devils have claimed back-to-back wins in the NAB League Girls for the first time this season, beating the Northern Knights by 26 points. The Devils led from start to finish at the Highgate Recreation Reserve, battling hard early against a resilient Knights side before pulling away late.
TASMANIA DEVILS: 2.1 2.3 5.5 6.7 (64)
NORTHERN KNIGHTS: 0.2 1.4 2.5 2.5 (32)
BEST PLAYERS: Priya Bowering, Georgia Clark, Madison Brazendale, Amy Prokopiec, Meg Harrison, Chelsea Thomas
Young midfielder Priya Bowering continued her stellar start to the year, racking up 22 disposals and leading the game in both contested possessions (15) and tackles (9) to be named best afield. Devils forward Georgia Clark was not far behind and dominated the game, booting four goals from 21 disposals and eight marks, while Madison Lamb (15 disposals, 12 contested possessions) and Madison Brazendale (15 disposals) were strong contributors in the midfield.
The Devils took the lead after just 47 seconds with an early behind, and it was only minutes later that they had their first goal. It was Clark that opened the account for the visitors, and she would only get better from there in a fantastic first quarter. She finished the term with ten disposals and kicked both of Tasmania’s goals, and with the Knights held goalless the Devils took a 12-point lead into the first change.
Despite that slow start and their winless record across the season, the Knights showed that they were up for that fight as they battled back in the second term. They restricted the Devils to just two behinds in the quarter, and they finally found a goal of their own after 13 minutes of play. Tasmania continued to compete around the contest and win their share of ball in the middle of the ground, with Meg Harrison (11 disposals, 5 marks) and Courtney Hingston (13 disposals, 4 inside 50s) both patrolling the wings well and driving the ball forward. Despite their best efforts the Devils were unable to convert inside 50, and their lead was trimmed to just five points at half time.
The Knights had stemmed the tide momentarily, but the floodgates opened when the sides returned after half time. After being well held through the first two quarters, Devils tall forward Bellah Parker finally found some space in the third and swung the momentum back in Tasmania’s favour. She kicked two goals in the term, and with Clark also adding her third major the Devils pulled away to a decisive lead. The Knights did manage to kick their second goal, but they still found themselves trailing by 18 points at the last change.
That would be as close as they would get, as the Devils backline locked them down in the last quarter to seal the result. Tasmania’s key defenders gave the Knights no room to operate inside 50, and Mackenzie Williams (13 disposals, 2 rebound 50s) led the charge on the half-back line as they rebounded the ball back forward with purpose. Those efforts saw them hold the Knights scoreless in the quarter, with Clark’s fourth goal to extend the margin the icing on the cake.
After back-to-back away trips, the Devils will now enjoy a well-earned break with a bye in round six. Their next game will come on Saturday March 5 when they host the Calder Cannons at Kingborough’s Twin Ovals.