Tassie defeated the Knights after a 20-2 comeback in the last quarter. That makes it more difficult for Calder to reach the top four (and hence finals).
Different opinion re: Friswell!
I’d take some of the comments about finals having been determined with large helpings of salt, though.
CALDER CANNONS 2.1 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 5.2 (32)
WESTERN JETS 0.2 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 2.9 (21)
By: Peter Williams
Calder Cannons secured their finals spot with a hard-earned 11-point win over the only challenger who could knock them from their spot in the Western Jets. The Jets had more than their fair share of forward half possession, and it reflected on the scoreboard with 11 scoring shots to seven. Unfortunately for the visitors, they could not convert those scores into goals, kicking six straight behinds in the first half until Caitlin Sargent finally slotted the Jets’ first. Whilst they kept the Cannons to just one goal in the middle two quarters, a costly 50-metre penalty allowed Alisa Magri to boot her second, and then Jessica Zakkour finished off the game with a goal to secure the 5.2 (32) to 2.9 (21) win.
Zali Friswell was really busy through midfield, as Tahlia Gillard offered herself up as an option in transition as well. Running hard on the wing, Mali McLeod found plenty of it, whilst Georgie Prespakis, Ruby Smith and Abbey McDonald were all really impressive. It was a team effort with Magri’s two goals and the mosquito fleet in the forward half creating the chances.
GOALS:
Calder: A. Magri 2, Z. Friswell, G. Prespakis, J. Zakkour.
Western: C. Sargent, E. Tyson.
DC BEST:
Calder: Z. Friswell, T. Gillard, G. Prespakis, M. McLeod, A. McDonald
Western: C. Baskaran, J. Woods, M. Ham, K. Russell, C. Singleton
DC MEDAL VOTES:
5 – Charlotte Baskaran (Western Jets)
4 – Zali Friswell (Calder Cannons)
3 – Tahlia Gillard (Calder Cannons)
2 – Jemima Woods (Western Jets)
1 – Georgie Prespakis (Calder Cannons)
Stats:
- Prespakis had a game-leading 26 disposals and 6 tackles.
- Friswell was third overall on 20 disposals and 8 tackles.
- Gillard was sixth overall with 14 disposals and 19 hit-outs (from less time on ground). As can be seen, there was a looooong tail disposals-wise.
- Yassir 11, Crowley 4
Calder Cannons vs. Western Jets
By: Michael Alvaro
AFLW ACADEMY MEMBERS:
#18 Tahlia Gillard (Calder Cannons)
Arguably the leading tall on the ground, Gillard enjoyed a terrific tussle with Krystal Russell while operating through the ruck, and also impacted around the ground. She had the height advantage but showed good athleticism and strength to win a number of hitouts, which helped Calder’s star-studded engine room get to work. She positioned well behind the ball to impact kicks coming out of the Cannons’ attacking arc and even found a bit of ball in the back 50 to relieve pressure. Set for a big national carnival with Vic Metro.
#41 Georgie Prespakis (Calder Cannons)
The standout player afield for the winners, Prespakis continues to churn out high-level performances at a remarkably consistent rate. She finished as the game’s leading ball winner and constantly pumped Calder forward with her long kicking, which has come to the fore a touch more recently having already established a strong craft by hand. The number one pick candidate also booted a classy goal in the first term to spark her side and will shortly lead a very strong Vic Metro midfield.
TOP PERFORMERS:
#8 Zali Friswell (Calder Cannons)
A really important part of the Cannons midfield, Friswell has less frills than some of her teammates but can be equally impactful in the engine room. She ticked over 20 disposals for the first time this season and was a reliable ball winner on the inside, while also working well defensively to lay some good tackles. Friswell kicked a goal in the first quarter to add a string to her bow and broke forward well on a couple of occasions to carry Calder inside 50. A really solid outing once again.
OTHERS:
Calder had plenty of strong contributors as always, with Mali McLeod and Emelia Yassir again lively on the outside and inside of midfield respectively.