26/08/2026
Girls' First XVI Football - Winter Intercol
Thursday afternoon saw the girls take to the field for our second Intercollegiate fixture against St John’s, with the overall competition locked at two wins apiece. We knew there was plenty riding on the result, and the girls certainly rose to the occasion.
Unfortunately, after a glorious day up until that point, the weather turned, leaving both teams to contend with wet and slippery conditions. Neither side was able to find their rhythm, with the ball spending plenty of time in stoppages and between the arcs. When we did manage to move forward, we often found ourselves locked into the forward pocket, making scoring opportunities difficult to convert. Despite creating a number of chances, we were unable to register a major and headed into the first break just one point in front.
The second quarter was undoubtedly our best, and the girls were rewarded handsomely for their efforts. They handled the difficult conditions brilliantly, taking marks as though it were a dry day. Eva and Matilda both took several important intercept marks to repel St John’s attacks, while Tilly worked tirelessly to shut down their most influential player and successfully nullified her impact.
Anika was a constant threat in attack, managing to kick two goals from the midfield, while Celeste once again provided an excellent target inside 50 and also contributed two goals for the quarter. Their efforts helped us establish a valuable lead that, in the challenging conditions, would prove difficult for St John’s to overcome.
The third quarter saw St John’s find their way back into the contest. Their ruck began to have an influence around the stoppages, giving them greater control of the clearance battle. They were also first to the ball more consistently and were rewarded with a number of free kicks, allowing them to put pressure on the scoreboard. They managed just one goal for the quarter, a long-range bomb, but it served as a reminder that we would need to finish strongly if we were to secure the win.
In the final quarter, the girls returned to their physical best and dominated possession for long periods, keeping the ball camped in our forward line. Lucy was as active as ever, while Emily asserted herself in the contests, making life extremely difficult for St John’s both in the air and on the ground.
The girls’ hard work was rewarded with a goal right on the final siren, extending the margin beyond four goals and sealing a well-deserved Intercollegiate victory.
It was a fantastic team performance in challenging conditions, showcasing resilience, composure and plenty of Navy Blue spirit. Congratulations to all the girls on their terrific back to back Intercol victory.
