Sport
18 August, 2024
Stawell 'came home like a steam train' in thrilling win | WFNL R17
The Warriors overcame a five-goal deficit at the last change.
A Stunning fourth-quarter comeback from the Stawell Warriors has secured a 51-47 victory against Southern Mallee in round 17 of the WFNL on Saturday, August 17.
The result all but books a finals berth for Stawell.
Co-coaches Jemma Clarkson and Rachel Wood were delighted with the result.
"In that last five minutes we were able to gain momentum and keep composed, that was really important. To make sure we're still playing our game all the way down the court," Clarkson said.
"They really had our measure in that last quarter, but we came home like a steam train and were able to really get on top when it mattered most at the end."
Despite overcoming the five-goal deficit, Clarkson said her side always had the belief.
"We said to the girls at three-quarter time, this is our game to win; We're at home; we want this," she said.
"We want this more than anyone else out there, so let's really take it to them and play a hard 15 minutes and play out the whole 15 minutes, and we did."
It was an even start at Central Park as rain began to fall.
Both sides applied defensive pressure through the mid-court, but neither was able to create a margin on the scoreboard.
Stawell held a three-goal lead at the first change.
The sun broke through early in the second term as the Warriors maintained the advantage.
Southern Mallee rallied to level the scores through the mid-point of the term, as both sides went into half time tied at 24.
Both sides exchanged leads in the third quarter.
The Thunder were deliberate with its ball movement, particularly in its attacking third, whilst Stawell remained tight in defence.
Southern Mallee built a five-goal lead at three-quarter time.
Stawell charged home in the second half of the final term and recorded the four-goal win to keep its season alive.
Ayva Mitchell shot 36 goals for the home side and joined Meg Walker in the best.
Sydney Thorogood added 25 goals for the Thunder.
Abby White and Steph Thomson were named in the best.
The fight for the minor premiership will go down to the final round as the Horsham Saints defeated Dimboola 77-46.
The Saints scored over 20 goals in the first two quarters to set up the win.
Jorja Clode added 56 goals for the Saints, as Maddison Bethune and Elly Knott were named in the best.
Olivia Beugelaar shot 22 goals and featured in the best with Olivia Lehmann.
Horsham has recorded a dominant 75-23 victory against Warrack at City Oval.
The ladder leaders were strong at both ends of the court as it kept the Eagles to nine goals in the first half.
Imogen Worthy added 47 goals for the Demons.
Lauren Clyne shot 10 for Warrack.
A dominant first quarter from the Nhill has set up a 64-30 win at Davis Park against Ararat.
The Tigers' defence held the Rats to 16 goals at half time, as its top three hopes will come down to the final round.
Ruby James shot 27 goals for the home side.
Jesse Bligh added 17 for the Rats.