WAFLW battle it out against SANFLW in first State GameSaturday, May 4, 2024 - 5:29 PM - by Chris Pike

THE KIA WAFL Women's team came to life in the second and third quarters but the SANFLW had the better of the start and finish to end up winning the first Women's State Game by 16 points at Optus Stadium.

The two proud football states made history on Saturday afternoon at Optus Stadium by doing battle in what turned out to be a strongly contested State Game match up that will become an annual event following the footsteps of the respective men's competitions.

South Australia started the better and dominated the first quarter with three goals but Western Australia fired back with five goals to three over the next two terms and scores were level during the third.

However, the SANFLW responded with the game's last two goals to end up claiming the 7.7 (49) to 5.3 (33) victory.

East Fremantle young gun Zippy Fish was named the best for the WAFLW in the game having finishing with 28 possessions and a goal.

Eva Popovsky kicked two goals as well for WA to go with seven kicks and eight tackles.

Kate Orme also finished with 18 disposals (10 tackles), Imahra Cameron 16, Emily Bennett 16, Molly O'Hehir 15, Claire Ortlepp 15 and Jayme Harken 14 while Emmelie Fiedler and Lauren Quaife combined for 38 hit outs in the ruck.

Jessica Bates was named best for the SANFLW in their victory finishing with 34 possessions, five tackles and five inside-50 entries.

Tesharna Maher and Alisha Gepp kicked two goals each for South Australia while Shelby Smith also racked up 20 disposals, Tahlita Buethke 19, Caitlin Wendland 16 and Jade Halfpenny 15.

It was the SANFLW team who were in control for virtually the whole first quarter with the WAFLW side only making their first inside-50 entry just before quarter-time.

South Australia managed three goals including two to Alisha Gepp with the other from Tesharna Maher which saw the SANFLW head into quarter-time leading by 19 points.

That lead was out to 25 points with a goal to Samantha Franson in the second quarter as well, but the WAFLW were able to work their way into the contest leading into half-time.

Goals from Eva Popovsky and Taylor Ferguson saw WA able to cut the South Australian lead back to just 12 points at the half-time break.

Zippy Fish then kicked the first goal of the second half to see the WAFLW team close the deficit to six points. Maher responded with her second for the SANFLW but then two quick WA goals from Popovsky and Adele Arnup set up a terrific contest.

Scores were level with the WAFLW having picked up the momentum but South Australia did get a late third quarter goal from Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap that saw the SANFLW on top by six points at the last change.

South Australia then managed the only goal of the final term through Katelyn Rosenzweig to see her team secure the eventual 16-point win.

STATE GAME 2024

WAFLW                               0.0          2.2          5.3          5.3          (33)

SANFLW                              3.1          4.2          6.3          7.7          (49)

WAFLW – Goals: Popovsky 2; Arnup, Ferguson, Fish.

Best: Fish, Orme, Popovsky, Cameron, O'Hehir, Ortlepp, Bennett.

SANFLW – Goals: Gepp, Maher 2; Cockatoo-Motlap, Franson, Rosenzweig.

Best: Bates, Smith, Wendland, Buethke, Button, Halfpenny, Waterford.