Western Australia suffer heartbreak in VictoriaThursday, April 15, 2021 - 10:18 AM

Western Australia have suffered their first defeat of the NAB AFLW U19s National Championships after a heartbreaking four-point loss to Vic Metro at Trevor Barker Oval on Thursday. 

In a thrilling final term, WA had the chance to snatch victory with Chloe Reilly narrowly missing a set shot after the siren to win the match.

Ella Roberts was the standout on the ground, collecting 31 disposals and kicking two goals for the WA side. Roberts tried to will her side over the line in the last, kicking a goal from 35 metres to narrow the margin to five- points with minutes remaining.

The Peel Thunder product couldn’t have done more in a display that is sure to impress recruiters ahead of the 2020 AFLW Draft. 

Despite dominating large parts of the game, inaccuracy cost the WA side kicking 4.9 for the match. 

The Victorian talls ultimately proved the difference, taking countless marks in deep defence to repel the black and yellow. 

Makaela TUHAKARAINA was lively forward, taking the game on with her dash and flare to set up several scoring opportunities.

Amy Franklin held up the backline before being swung goals in search of goals, using her marking prowess to impact at both ends of the ground. 

Not much separated the sides in the first term with just the one goal to Vic Metro, with WA having plenty of chances on goal but unable to convert. 

TUHAKARAINA made an impact early in the second term, gathering the ball over the back of the pack to stride into an open goal and convert. 

Dana East took a strong contested mark moments later, hitting up Roberts who converted easily to give WA the lead. 

It was all Vic Metro for the next quarter with three unanswered goals giving the Victorian side all the momentum heading into the last quarter.

Amy Franklin kept her side in the contest with a miraculous left-foot soccer off the ground early in the last to reduce the margin to nine-points. 

The set shot from Roberts made it five points with three minutes remaining. 

Keeping it locked in their forward 50 in the final stages gave WA the perfect opportunity for victory and an intercept mark from Reilly looked to have been the chance.

Despite the kick looking on target, a touch on the line ultimately saw Vic Metro prevail by three points in a terrific contest. 

WA 4.9 (33) def by Vic Metro 5.7 (37)

GOALS
WA: Roberts 2, TUHAKARAINA, Franklin

BEST
Roberts, Franklin, Britton, TUHAKARAINA