Sport
15 April, 2024
Avoca unfurls flag with big win
AVOCA (54) def NATTE BEALIBA (48) Avoca celebrated a day where they were able to unfurl their 2023 premiership flag in style, defeating Natte Bealiba by six goals. In what was a rematch of the qualifying final of the previous year, the Bulldogs were...
AVOCA (54) def NATTE BEALIBA (48)
Avoca celebrated a day where they were able to unfurl their 2023 premiership flag in style, defeating Natte Bealiba by six goals.
In what was a rematch of the qualifying final of the previous year, the Bulldogs were able to win in a very similar fashion, coming from behind in the early stages and eventually taking control of the game.
The Swans made a fast start as Emma Ryan quickly asserted her authority in their goal circle, gaining 20 shots at goal and making 13 of them, while at the other end, Maddy Egan scored nine goals and Gina Beavis two, as the Swans led by three goals at the first break.
However, the Bulldogs were a rejuvenated team at quarter time, and dominated all facets of the second term. Egan scored 12 goals, and Beavis added eight, and their midcourt was suffocating the Swans’ ball movement, restricting them to just eight goals from 21 shots, with Ryan and Polly Douglas scoring four times each. It meant that the Bulldogs were up by nine goals, 31-22, at the long break.
The Swans needed to make a big run to keep themselves in the game, and did enough to reduce the margin by three goals in the third term. Ryan added 11 goals, while Shannae Mills was shifted to goal attack and added two goals. Avoca still had control of the game, however, with Egan scoring seven goals and Beavis adding three to maintain a 41-35 lead at the final change.
Natte Bealiba continued to push hard in the final term, but every challenge from the Swans was met with an answer from the reigning champions. Egan scored 12 more goals to take her tally to 40 for the day, while at the other end, Ryan added nine goals and Mills four.
The Bulldogs will now go into next week’s game against Talbot very confident of making it two wins to start the season, while the Swans face another tricky challenge when they host Lexton.
