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After leading for most of the game, North Melbourne’s VFLW side has fallen to Williamstown by four points in a tight finish at DSV stadium
After leading for most of the game, North Melbourne’s VFLW side has fallen to Williamstown by four points in a tight finish at DSV stadium.
Despite having the lion's share of the disposal count out in Williamstown, the Roos couldn't stop a resilient Seagulls outfit from claiming its fourth win of the season, going down 4.8 (32) to 4.4 (28).
"The game really could’ve gone either way, we were leading for a fair chunk of today and it was disappointing to obviously not be in front at the final siren," VFLW coach Brett Gourley told NMFC Media.
"But there were some really good signs, it was a really good effort from our girls … but we’ll look to get better in training this week."
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With the game being highly contested and the ball being trapped in either side's forward 50 for extended periods of the opening stages, it was the visitors who controlled the bulk of possession.
"We spoke prior to the game about just taking the contest and going forward, we probably over-handballed a bit again this week,” Gourley mentioned.
"It's about just - for us - finding that balance between giving the ball to a player who's free on the outside of the contest, and actually just taking territory and grass kicks going forward as well.
"We’ve got to continue to find that balance between going forward and finding a spare player, that’s something we’ll continue to work on."
In a low-scoring opening term, it was only Nyakoat Dojiok who managed to put her name on the scoreboard, getting onto the end of an Alana Barba kick inside 50 before sending it through.
Nyakoat Dojiok rises above the pack, reins in the grab, and kicks our first at DSV Stadium ⭐️
— North Melbourne Women's (@NMFCWomens) May 11, 2024
Barba (20 disposals, nine tackles, six clearances) had a stellar first term, finishing the quarter with six disposals, four tackles, and four clearances.
On the brink of half-time, it was Barba again who found Emily Paterno deep inside forward 50 who went back to kick North Melbourne’s second goal of the first half.
It was a quick response from Paterno, who answered Sharnie Whiting's major down the other end to keep the Roos ahead at the main break.
The Seagulls struck again through Teagan Brett six minutes into the third term, but again the Kangas answered – this time through Dojiok who was on the end of some neat work from Tahlia Meier.
A second Whiting goal gave Williamstown a three-point advantage heading into the last term, and when Neve Crowley slotted another in the fourth quarter things looked impossible for the visitors.
As time expired, Dojiok booted her third goal for the day but despite a frantic rush in the final 30 seconds, it was the Seagulls who took the points.
On a positive note, Elisha King made a successful return to football, getting through her first game back from a third ACL injury unscathed.
"It was great. She’s put a power of work in to come back from her third ACL to be where she is today," Gourley said.
"We were super excited to see her back out there and playing good footy.
"She was limited to 50 per cent game time today, but we’ll look to increase that over the coming weeks and get her more involved in the game.
"We’re excited about what she can do, she’s a quality player and a quality person so we’re wrapped to have her back out there with us."
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