Carlton AFLW best and fairest winner Brianna Davey returned to impressive form in the first-ever AFLW State of Origin match on Saturday night.
The exhibition game, which saw a crowd of nearly 10,000 flock to Etihad Stadium, was a display of the women’s competition’s best talent, with 44 players taking the field for the clash between Victoria and the Allies.
After collecting 23 disposals, six marks and four tackles, Davey played a key role in the Vic’s 97-point victory.
Carlton captain Lauren Arnell, midfielder Sarah Hosking, ruck Alison Downie and new recruit Nicola Stevens also donned the Big V, while new Blue Tayla Harris lined up in opposing colours.
- Jacqueline Guldon, Carlton Media
AFL.COM.AU'S MATCH REPORT
VICTORIA has put on an exhibition at Etihad Stadium, thumping the Allies by 97 points in the inaugural NAB AFL Women's State of Origin clash.
The Vics were hungry from the outset, and a six-goal second term set up the massive 0.17.11 (113) to 0.2.4 (16) win.
Bri Davey was dominant across half-back for the Victorians. (Photo: AFL Photos)
Daisy Pearce led from the front for the victors with a remarkable 37-possession game, easily the most on the ground.
Victoria's mobile forward line worried the Allies defence all night. With the A-grade midfield reading the taps of Allies ruck Emma King to perfection, the Vics had first use of the ball and continually got the ball as deep as possible.
The Allies had stacked their forward line with talls – Tayla Harris, who was hampered with a proppy left knee, Sabrina Frederick-Traub and Katie Brennan – but struggled to deliver the ball effectively to give them a chance.
Victoria's sheer number of midfielders meant Ellie Blackburn (24 disposals, three goals) and Jaimee Lambert (17 and one) played forward to great effect.
Mo Hope may have been the highlight of last year's exhibition match, but fellow Collingwood forward Jasmine Garner stole the show on this occasion with five goals.
It was a dirty night for the Allies, who lost Emma Zielke (ribs), Chelsea Randall (corked quad) and Kirby Bentley (knee) to injury.
New Blues recruit Tayla Harris made the most of her limited opportunities, kicking a major and presenting well for the Allies. (Photo: AFL Photos)
Emily Bates battled hard in the middle for the Allies, while King, Brennan and Ebony Antonio were in the best.
The Vics had stars all over the park, but Pearce, Brianna Davey and Garner were particular standouts.
VICTORIA 0.2.2 0.8.5 0.11.7 0.17.11 (113)
ALLIES 0.1.1 0.2.2 0.2.2 0.2.4 (16)
Supergoals: Nil
GOALS
Victoria: Garner 5, Blackburn 3, Ashmore 2, Eva, Lambert, Paxman, Kearney, Pearce, D'Arcy, Hope
Allies: Harris, Wuetschner
BEST
Victoria: Pearce, Paxman, Donnellan, Garner, Eva, Kearney, Blackburn
Allies: King, Bates, Antonio, Brennan, Marinoff
INJURIES
Victoria: Lambert (hip)
Allies: Harris (knee), Zielke (ribs), Randall (thigh), Bentley (knee)
Umpires: Tom Bryce (SA) Ben Cheever (Vic) Martin Rodger (Vic)
Crowd: 10,000 (approx) at Etihad Stadium
