It was
And the young Saints didn’t disappoint.
The first ever official St Kilda women’s team overcame a slow start to take it right up to a far more experienced Carlton line-up.
While the Blues ultimately hung on for a 22-point victory, the Southern Saints proved they will be a team to watch in 2018.
Become a member of the Southern Saints
The Round 1 encounter with the Blues was always going to be a tough start for Peta Searle’s team, particularly with Carlton selecting nine of its AFLW-listed players, including star forward Darcy Vescio.
Vescio led the way for the Blues in a dominant first quarter kicking with the wind, before stretching the lead out to 40 points early in the second.
But the young Saints refused to back down, increasing work rate and pressure, eventually hitting back with four unanswered goals.
Gallery: Southern Saints debut match
Skipper Georgia Walker acknowledged that Carlton’s huge pressure was a major factor in the Saints’ slow start.
“After the first quarter, everyone was a bit shell-shocked by the intensity and the level of pressure that Carlton was applying,” the inaugural captain said.
“But we really fought back after quarter time and started playing our brand of footy, which is what we’ve been working so hard on with Peta (Searle).”
It was Courteney Munn who slotted the Southern Saints’ historic first goal in the
Danielle Lawrence kicked the Saints’ third, lining up from a tight angle, before Bohanna brought the Saints within 11 points at halftime, switching the ball onto her left foot to evade her opponent and sink the goal.
Samantha Johnson (16 disposals) was outstanding in defence, taking charge with her superb intercept marking as the Saints kept the Blues scoreless in the final term.
Munn capped off the Saints’ attack with her second goal for the day, another long distance set shot.
Jasmine Rolland battled hard in the ruck against Breann Moody, Carlton’s 2018 AFLW joint Best and Fairest winner, while Meg MacDonald, after a tough first quarter assignment on Blues forward Darcy Vescio, responded to finish the match as a significant contributor.
The Saints’ scoring threat became obvious late in the game when Vescio was sent back to fill the hole in the Blues’ defensive 50m.
Walker said the gutsy performance was an extremely positive initial step in the club’s historic inaugural season.
“We walked off with our heads held high, because for us to be able to come back and match them level-wise for three quarters just shows how much growth we’ve got to go,” she said.
“We want to play for each other and play for the jumper as well as have fun. Peta and Coxy (Jamie Cox) have been really trying to push that team culture.”
The Southern Saints travel to Williamstown this Sunday and will hope to replicate the 80-point demolition they inflicted on the same side a fortnight ago.
SOUTHERN SAINTS 0.0.0 4.5.29 4.5.29 5.7.37
CARLTON 5.3.33 6.4.40 9.5.59 9.5.59
GOALS
Munn 2, T. Bohanna 2, D. Lawrence
BEST
Munn, A. Brown, L. Olsen, S. Johnson, M. MacDonald, R. Watt
NEXT UP
Williamstown vs. Southern Saints
