AFLDD: Saints women march to top of ladder

WINLESS in 2019, South Burnett now has a share of the lead after downing South Toowoomba at the weekend.

ON THE CHARGE: Reanna Fenton and the South Burnett Saints proved too strong for South Toowoomba at the weekend. Picture: File

AUSSIE RULES: They didn’t win a game for the entire 2019 season, and now the South Burnett women sit in a share of top spot on the senior women’s competition ladder.

The Saints picked up their second win of the year, outlasting South Toowoomba 3.10 (28) to 2.4 (16) in a gritty contest at Lyle Vidler Oval.

The defensive prowess of the Saints was on show, keeping the Bombers scoreless in both the second and fourth quarters.

Coach Sandy Banks said the playing group, which came into the new year largely unexperienced, is starting to find its feet.

“The girls didn’t have a win at all last year. We completely wiped this season clean and decided to leave last year behind us,” Banks said.

“It was anyone’s game, and the ball became a little slippery in the fourth quarter.

“We had a lot of new girls this year that had never played a contact sport. We had to start from the basics, teach them what they can and couldn’t do.

“Everyone is still finding their feet, but we’re looking at everything and watching games over.

“It’s a strange combination. We’ve got HPE teachers, touch players, rugby players, netball players and a few returning from last year.

“COVID has brought a lot of different skill-sets to the Saints this year. Being natural athletes, I think they’ll pick up the game very quickly.”

Toowoomba moved to the top of the ladder on percentage, downing Goondiwindi 12.9 (81) to 3.0 (18).

The defending premiers had full control from the outset at the neutral venue of Dalby, holding a 35-point lead at halftime.

Meg Pullinger kicked another bag with five goals, while Christina Ash had two for the Hawks.

BOMBERS EDGE OUT SAINTS

A surging fourth quarter has propelled the Bombers into second spot on the Allied Pickfords Cup, taking down South Burnett 10.7 (67) to 7.8 (50).

South Toowoomba held a slender one-point lead heading into the final term, before a pair of goals put enough of a gap between the sides to see them head home with the points.

Gabe Robbie kicked clear at the top of the league’s goalscoring ranks with another four majors, with Shaun Pukallus kicking three for the home side.

A strong start from Goondiwindi proved the difference against Dalby, with a 34-point first quarter guiding them to a 16.14 (110) to 6.3 (39) victory.

David O’Toole, Brenton Jardine, Ayden Bate and Angus Croft each had three goals in a consistent display across the paddock.

Warwick got off the mark in 2020, keeping Toowoomba winless in the process with a 9.6 (60) to 7.4 (46) victory at WCU Oval.

The Redbacks looked to be in complete control heading into the final term with a 39-point advantage, before a late Tigers fightback saw them give the home side a late scare.

RESULTS

Allied Pickfords Cup, Rd 3

DALBY 0.0 4.1 5.3 6.3 (39)

GOONDIWINDI 5.4 8.4 12.10 16.14 (110)

Goals: Dalby: D. Braxton 2, J. Schreiber, M. Reilly, M. Taylor, C. Forbes. Goondiwindi: A. Croft 3, D. O’Toole 3, B. Jardine 3, A. Bate 3, J. Allen, J. Leahy, J. Wilson, R. Holman. Best: Dalby: J. Farrell, B. Peltz, A. Dunemann, J. Schreiber, M. Taylor, M. Sheehan. Goondiwindi: D. O’Toole, B. Soper, B. Townsend, T. Jobling, J. Currie, J. Wilson.

SOUTH BURNETT 1.4 5.7 7.8 7.8 (50)

STH TOOWOOMBA 3.1 6.1 8.3 10.7 (67)

Goals: South Burnett: S. Pukallus 3, J. Packer 2, L. Grey, D. Trace. South Toowoomba: G. Robbie 4, D. Newman, M. Gibney, J. Leidig, J. Neumann, T. Rissman, T. Gilmore. Best: South Burnett: M. Patroni, R. Goodwin, T. Evert, B. Pressnell, J. Packer, K. Askin. South Toowoomba: N. Mallon, K. Webb, J. Leidig, G. Robbie, B. Knowles, J. Neumann.

WARWICK 4.3 6.3 9.6 9.6 (60)

TOOWOOMBA 0.0 2.2 3.3 7.4 (46)

Goals: Warwick: S. Iles 2, L. Phyland 2, T. Clarkson, T. Brown, N. Donges, S. Cameron, C. Cook. Toowoomba: M. Bailey 2, R. Cherry 2, A. Harley, J. Price, N. Kag. Best: Warwick: B. Iles, T. Clarkson, S. Grogan, T. Brown, C. Slatter, S. Iles. Toowoomba: G. Stower, T. Namwat, R. Cherry, A. Harley, J. Price, J. Smith.

LADDER (W/L, %, Points)

1. Goondiwindi 3-0, 167%, 12

2. Sth Toowoomba, 2-1, 146%, 8

3. South Burnett 2-1, 112%, 8

4. Coolaroo 1-1, 126%, 4

5. Warwick, 1-1, 78%, 4

6. Toowoomba 0-3, 64% 0

7. Dalby 0-2, 45%, 0

Senior Women’s, Rd 3

GOONDIWINDI 0.0 2.0 2.0 3.0 (18)

TOOWOOMBA 2.3 7.5 10.7 12.9 (81)

Goals: Goondiwindi: C. Ash 2, T. Hill. Toowoomba: M. Pullinger 5, G. Bloomfield 2, T. Twidale 2, E. Niki 2, S. Edwards. Best: Goondiwindi: C. Ash, A. Feez, C. Hill, D. Wall, R. McMillan, K. Lane. Toowoomba: T. Twidale, M. Pullinger, J. Whitney, S. Palmer, J. Moon, L. Jericho.

SOUTH BURNETT 1.2 1.4 2.8 3.10 (28)

STH TOOWOOMBA 1.3 1.3 2.4 2.4 (16)

Goals: South Burnett: R. Fenton, K. Walker, T. Cutts, South Toowoomba: C. Hoolihan, M. Prior. Best: South Burnett: O. Eriksen, L. Blackmore, K. Wright, B. Pogany, A. Obrien, K. Walker. South Toowoomba: E. Hicks, E. Holmes, C. Stanmore, A. Walters, T. Herdon , M. Prior.

LADDER (W/L, %, Points)

1. Toowoomba, 2-1, 411%, 8

2. Sth Toowoomba, 2-1, 193%, 8

3. South Burnett, 2-1, 72%, 8

4. Goondiwindi, 0-3, 18%, 0

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