St Mary’s have made it five consecutive wins in the SG Print & Paper Division 2 Women’s competition, comprehensively taking care of Whittlesea by 88 points at Whatmough Park.
The Burra were on top of their game right from the beginning and carried their dominant performance through to the end keeping Whittlesea goalless in the process to triumph 13.13 (91) to 0.3 (3).
Sarah Johnston’s incredible goalkicking form was on show once again as she produced another bag of six to take her tally to 36 majors for the 2022 season. She’s now kicked 28 goals in her last five matches.
Impressive efforts yet again from the likes of Caitlin Kreuzberger and Jessica Hardy also had a big say in the result while Annette Carle stood tall for the visitors.
The Burra now jump to second spot on the table, setting up a huge clash with ladder leaders Eltham next Saturday, while Whittlesea remain in fourth but slip further away from the top three sides in the competition.
St Mary’s had a blistering start to the contest and their intent was shown right from the first bounce as Hardy quickly pounced on an opportunity to kick her side’s first of the afternoon.
Serena Francke found the big sticks a short while later to push the Burra’s lead out a little further.
In the final two minutes of the quarter Johnston converted a simple set shot before quickly backing it up with a snap as the quarter time siren sounded.
28 points down at the first change, Whittlesea attempted to create more of an attacking presence but were no match for the Burra’s defensive dominance.
Johnston popped up once again to kick her third and she was followed by Kreuzberger who kicked a remarkable snap midway through the quarter, as she threaded the ball through multiple defenders to score truly.
With eleven seconds remaining in the term, Charlotte McBain soccered the ball through to kick her first goal for the Burra, prompting her teammates to get around her as the half time siren sounded.
The home side continued their relentless pursuit for more goals as the third quarter commenced.
Johnston took her tally to four goals with a snap under pressure before Charlotte Evans slotted a goal on the run to extend the Burra’s lead to beyond ten goals.
Late in the quarter Jessica Hardy intercepted a wayward Whittlesea kick in defence to kick a goal on the run for her second of the game, and her side’s third of the term, making it a 70-0 three quarter time score line
The Eagles were able to get on the scoreboard in the final term, registering three behinds, but as was the story of the afternoon, St Mary’s continued to put their foot down.
Evans kicked a second major for the game before Johnston kicked two more goals to make it another six-goal haul, her second in as many games, ensuring her side finished the afternoon with a comfortable victory.
Photo: Damian Visentini
