Limping to the finish line

Cranbourne were simply outclassed on Sunday. Picture: ROB CAREW 169835_05

By Nick Creely

VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE – WOMEN’S
REVIEW – ROUND 12
Cranbourne is simply limping its way to the finish line in 2017.
In what has been a bitterly disappointing season, the Eagles will be praying for its alignment in 2018 with the Casey Demons and Melbourne Football Club to begin sooner rather than later.
With coach Sein Clearihan relinquishing himself of the role effectively immediately, the Eagles’ tough week ended with a 70-point loss to Melbourne Uni at the University Main Oval.
The Mugars and Eagles fought out a fairly tight first quarter, with the hosts holding a slender 12-point advantage at quarter time.
But the difference in class and experience shone through, as the Mugars slammed on six goals in the second quarter to break the game wide open.
The Eagles also managed to hit the scoreboard with a goal to Jasmine Grierson, who continually provided a presence up forward.
But there was no way back for the Eagles, who saw the margin extend out all the way out to 70-points before the visitors stemmed the bleeding with strong defensive work late.
Star AFL forward Moana Hope (three goals) caused headaches all day, Louise Stephenson was best afield and kicked a couple of goals, while talented athlete Emma Kearney was a handful for Cranbourne.
AFL-bound Eagle Darcy Guttridge was the best for the losing visitors, while Grierson (two goals) was the sole goal-scorer and Bianca Jakobsson continued on a late season flurry of form.
The going doesn’t get any easier for the third last Eagles, who will finish off the season with clashes against Diamond Creek (second) and St Kilda (fourth).
MELBOURNE UNI      2.1     8.2     10.4     13.7(85)
CRANBOURNE          0.1     1.1       1.2       2.3(15)
MELBOURNE UNI
GOALS: M. Hope 3, L. Stephenson 2, J. Anderson 2, K. Shierlaw 2, E. Blackburn, D. Berry , D. Edward, E. Kearney.
BEST: L. Stephenson, C. Adams, C. O’Bryan, M. Conti, A. Eva, M. Hope.
CRANBOURNE
GOALS: J. Grierson 2.
BEST: D. Guttridge, B. Jakobsson, K. Ripari, B. Kennedy, T. Thomas, J. Grierson.