An inspired physical effort by an undermanned Women’s side has seen a spectacular late comeback surge fall agonisingly short, increasing the importance of the final three matches.
Carey would get the fast start with two quick goals before the game had settled on the cosy confines of the the secondary back oval of the Carey Sports Complex, with the adjoining game’s siren and whistles causing multiple stoppages throughout.
However as the first began to amble towards the break, an Animals quick break would see Paige Hill sneak out the back of her opponent, and after having her nine game goal streak broken before the rep bye, Hill would create the start of a new one, soccering one from 20 out to give the Animals their first.
That would spark a second quarter for the ages, as the Animals put on the after-burners and we’re barely touched. Ashton Billing once again dominated in the ruck, but she was out-done by an impressive all-around effort by Maddy Mazar. Mazar’s second quarter lift created the drive the Animals needed.
Paige Hill would bag her second of the game with a close range effort, taking her season tally to 14. To put that in to context, the last 3 seasons have seen the leading goalkicker for the side kick 4 for the season.
The Animals would then take the lead through target tall Blaire Preddey after she was impeded in a marking contest. Similar to her goal in Round 2 at Power House, the Kiwi, in her first season and only her fourth game back since injury, went back and calmly slotted the set shot.
Mercurial midfield Jas Ardern was then thrown forward, and would use her elite contest skills to shark a marking contest. Ardern would see off her direct opponent and slam home the fourth straight for the side and see the Animals take an 11 point lead in to the main break.
Carey would come out strong from the main break, with both sides electing to stay on the field rather than return to the distant sheds. The Panthers would fight back to take the lead with two quick goals, before Sheridan Harris would goal from 30 out. The sweetly-struck set shot was only her second of the season, and third of her Animals career, one behind twin sister Shannon who has found a new home as a lockdown defender.
Old Carey captain Lisa Walshe, who played the game under an illness cloud, would then pop up with two opportunistic goals in the space of a couple of minutes in the final quarter to swing the game back to Carey’s way, and one final goal would be enough for the Panthers to hold on.
Backline stars Elli Haylock and Lilly Hutchinson were again best on for the Animals, providing necessary rebound 50 push time and time again, whilst Maddy Mazar put in one her best shifts in blue and blue with a dominating forward-ruck performance.
The loss dents, but does not defeat the Animals finals push, with a crucial twilight clash against Elsternwick awaiting this weekend.