Sport
13 August, 2024
Lady Redbacks eliminated
Carisbrook Lady Redbacks have officially bowed out of the 2024 Ballarat Football League Women’s (BFLW) season after a 71-point loss to Bacchus Marsh in the elimination final at Sebastopol’s Marty Busch Reserve.
The gulf in class between the two teams was evident, with the experience that was brought in by the Cobras throughout the season shining, but Carisbrook did have a very positive second half which should leave some confidence on the table ahead of the 2025 season.
Bacchus Marsh, and in particular, ex-VFL player Jamie-Lee Speakman, were on fire in the opening term as they dominated territory, kicking four goals to open up a 26-point lead at the first change.
The Cobras continued on their way in the second quarter, adding another four goals to make it a 53-point lead by the main break.
However, the chances started to dry up for Bacchus Marsh in the second half, and Carisbrook, to their credit, started to even up the contests.
That meant that the Cobras could only score two goals in the third quarter, which saw them lead by 66 points at the final change.
The final quarter was as impressive as Carisbrook have performed all season against such an experienced lineup. They couldn’t quite find the goals, kicking two behinds for the quarter, but they were able to dominate territory and showed that, at their best, they can ask serious questions of teams.
However, it was Bacchus Marsh who still won the quarter, kicking the only goal of the term to make it an 11.7 (73) to 0.2 (2) victory.
Anika Munn once again led from the front, and completed a season which should see her in calculations for the BFLW team of the year with a superb individual performance through the midfield.
Ashlyne McInnes was terrific at full back, stopping a multitude of forward thrusts with some big one-on-one contest wins, while Danae Every also provided plenty of drive from the backline. Jade Cameron and Julianne Baldock completed Carisbrook’s best players.
The season now ends for Carisbrook, but it is one where they can look back on as a season of significant improvement, greatly increasing their defensive profile, while also taking a memorable victory over the Cobras in round five.