Source :- THE AGE NEWS
The Blues faithful are out in force tonight at Marvel.
It’s a lively start to the game with five goals in 13 minutes.
The Blues are creative with Harry McKay as the second ruck. McKay takes the centre ruck, then pushes forward immediately. Lewis Young then becomes the ruck. One to watch.
Logan Morris and Harry Dean are more than just stars of the future – they’re both already the type of young gun getting the fans through the turnstiles.
Morris has taken the early ascendancy over Dean at Marvel Stadium, but he couldn’t convert his set-shot snap.
Still, the Lions locked the ball in their forward half, and it was soon Hugh McCluggage who kicked their first.
The Lions now lead 1.2 (8) to 1.0 (6).
Blues spearhead Harry McKay is on the board early for the Blues, kicking the first goal of the night at Marvel Stadium in a real confidence boost.
After star Lions small forward Charlie Cameron missed a straightforward set shot just seconds later, the Blues lead 1.0 to 0.1 with about 17 minutes remaining in the opening term.
A stern Ross Lyon has taken aim at a journalist in a post-match press conference for the second week in a row.
The grumpy St Kilda coach took umbrage at a suggestion that he offered “stern feedback” to Mattaes Phillipou during his side’s disappointing 19-point loss to Sydney at Marvel Stadium after the Saints led by two goals at three-quarter-time.
“Can I dive into that? That’s the media narrative,” Lyon shot back at the Phillipou question. “Anytime I speak to a player, it’s strong feedback. What I was on about was a leading pattern, so you can create the identity that you want.”
Lyon was obviously disappointed that his side had coughed up nine of the game’s last 11 goals as his side struggles to maintain wildcard relevance this year.
You’ve got to love Chloe Molloy. The Sydney star says the Australians will be sure to celebrate their 50-point win over the Irish tonight because coach Darren Crocker has promised to shout the drinks.
Playing her first game in 10 months following a back injury, Molloy booted two of Australia’s 11 goals in their comprehensive victory over Ireland – 13.13 (91) to 6.5 (41) – in the first AFLW clash between the two countries.
“Croc said he would put a tab on, so I’m going to hope to, I guess, spend some of that,” Molloy told Fox Footy with a grin.
The one-sided result did not befit the occasion. The skill level was elite before a sell-out crowd of 9017 at the picturesque North Sydney Oval, but the Aussies, understandably, had too much firepower in a game still relatively new to the Irish players.
It’s so good to see Chloe Molloy moving freely and booting goals.
The Sydney forward is a star of the competition, and looks to be in good form following 10-months out with a back injury.
She has booted two against the Irish as the Australians stretch their lead to 49 points in the final term.
Australia 13.12 (90) lead Ireland 6.5 (41)
Ouch! Ireland’s Erika O’Shea has just flattened Australia’s Nina Morrison with a crunching hip and shoulder as the Irish turn up the heat in this final term at North Sydney Oval.
Morrison was about to drive the ball into Australia’s attack when Morrison hit her like a cannonball from the side. The ball spilled free and the Irish were then able to send the ball forward for a spectacular Niamh McLaughlin goal.
It was a moment of Gaelic brilliance. She threw her boot at a loose ball and somehow threaded it between the Australian defenders and through the big sticks. But the gains made were quickly undone. Morrison recovered from her knock to boot a goal for Australia.
Australia 12.12 (84) lead Ireland 6.5 (41) final term.
The Irish are in serious trouble at North Sydney Oval, trailing the Aussies by 41 points at three-quarter time.
They have not been able to kick a goal since half-time, which is a major concern, considering they need to kick seven to win the match.
The star tonight for the Aussies have been Tahlia Randall with four goals and midfielders Ash Riddell and Ebony Marinoff have been busy with 18 possessions each. The home team have been slick and skilful with the ball, putting on an exhibition for the vocal sell-out crowd.
The Irish have been willing, but have not been able to match the Aussies in the air.
Australia have broken out to 41-point lead, and it’s big trouble for the Irish now.
They trailed by 30 points at half-time, but have not booted a goal in this third term, while the Aussies have banged through two – one to Monique Conti and the other to Courtney Hodder.
Vikki Wall had a chance to open the account after half-time, but her shot hit the post.
Aussies 11.9 (75) lead Ireland 5.4 (34) in the third term.
We are underway in the second half at North Sydney Oval and Monique Conti has kicked the first goal of the third term for Australia. It’s not the start the Irish wanted because they slip six goals behind.
It could have been worse if Chloe Molloy did not hit the post with a set shot, but the Irish also missed a chance when Amy Gavin Mangan skewed the ball to the left as she took aim on the run.
Aussies 10.8 (68) lead Ireland 5.2 (32) in the third term.
