TWO of the predicted heavyweights of the Hockey Victoria women’s premier league locked horns, but the game failed to match the lofty expectations.
Footscray Bulldogs and Essendon Bombers cancelled each other out for large chunks of the 70 minutes, before the Bombers scraped home for a 1-0 win.
Georgia Salanowski scored the match-winning goal for the Bombers.
“It was a real scrappy game,” Bulldogs assistant coach Kevin Reddan said. “Both teams struggled to get loose because they were pressing each other. It was just two teams trying to scrounge a win.”
The Bulldogs had their chances to win, but the young side lacked composure in the big moments.
“Our youngsters just have to realise that game was there to be won,” Reddan said. “The most exciting part is these youngsters are going to get better.”
Leah Merrett withstood the Bombers’ physical barrage. The centre-half was ferocious in her attack on the contest. “She wasn’t intimidated by the reputations of the experienced Essendon players,” Reddan said. “She’s the co-captain; she sets the example and lifts the younger players.”
— Lance Jenkinson
Men: Essendon 3 Footscray 1, Greensborough 6 Altona 5
Women: Essendon 1 Footscray 0, Greensborough 4 Altona 1
