The Northern Territory news Mon 16 Mar 2020
NT news
The Northern Territory news; NewspaperNT
2020-03-16
English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin; Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin
News Corp Australia
Darwin
application/pdf
Copyright. Made available by the publisher under licence.
News Corp Australia
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/795942
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/799008
MONDAY MARCH 16 2020 SPORT 35 V1 - NTNE01Z01MA Dockers go top of conference after overcoming spirited Doggies at empty stadium FREMANTLE have claimed top spot in AFLW Conference B by escaping the clutches of the spirited Western Bulldogs to claim a 15-point win at Whitten Oval. In a game played behind closed doors yesterday, the Bulldogs led by as many as 17 points in the third term before Fremantle fought back to claim a 10.6 (66) to 8.3 (51) vic tory. Fremantles Ebony Antonio (19 touches, 10 tackles), Kiara Bowers (21 touches, 12 tackles) and forward Ashley Sharp (three goals) were superb, while Bulldogs skipper Ellie Blackburn (two goals, 18 disposals) was excellent alongside Isabel Huntington (15 touches, six marks). The Bulldogs started fast and Blackburn drew first blood, drilling a fine goal on the run. Hannah Munyard followed suit from a set shot before Dockers skipper Kara Antonio responded with a clutch contested mark, converting on the siren. The Bulldogs struck first in the second term through Blackburn, who slotted her second goal on the run. Fremantles Hayley Miller quickly responded from a set shot with the emptiness of Whitten Oval accentuated by the audible thump of the ball hitting the advertising boards behind the goal. Kirsten McLeod regained the lead for the Dogs before Sharp handed Fremantle a two-point halftime lead. The Bulldogs seized the as cendancy in the third term through consecutive goals to Aisling McCarthy, McLeod and Deanna Berry. But as the quarter went on, both Mia-Rae Clifford and Sharp struck to keep the Dockers in the game at the final change. There were several lead changes in the final term before three consecutive goals to Fremantle capped off by Sharp running into an open goal sealed the deal. The Dogs were forced into two late changes with Lauren Spark (illness) and Brooke Lochland (managed) replaced by Nicole Callinan and Britney Gutknecht, while Fremantle called up Sarah Garstone for Janelle Cuthbertson (soreness). GWS are on track to play AFLW finals footy after snaring their fourth win of the season by stunning reigning premiers Adelaide by five points. Alyce Parker was everywhere as the Giants won 4.2 (26) to 3.3 (21) yesterday at Adelaides Richmond Oval in front of a handful of fans because of coronavirus. Skilful left-footer Parker collected an imposing 30 touches to be best-afield, while Irishwoman Cora Staunton Giant shock for premiers Parker stars as GWS close in on finals footyPETER CORNWALL was a powerhouse up forward, marking strongly and kicking two crucial goals. The Crows, all but out of finals calculations, made a late charge in the final term when former GWS star Courtney Gum steered through her second goal for the game and they were within five points. But the Giants, who had played with passion and desperation all day, refused to concede in a pressure-packed final three minutes, having the ball on their half- forward line when the final siren sounded. Rebecca Beeson (20 disposals) and Tait Mackrill (19) were influential for the Giants, while the Crows, as had been the case all season, were best served by Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff. But their premiership defence was left in tatters with their fourth loss in six games this campaign. The Crows fielded a strong line-up with the injury returns of star Erin Phillips, winger Deni Varnhagen, forward Eloise Jones and midfielder Najwa Allen. But it was the Giants who started well with a goal from Staunton. The Crows class was obvious when Phillips found Gum and she goaled from 40m. Marijana Rajcic was given reason to celebrate her 31st birthday as she snapped the second goal of her career but the goal late in the first term was Adelaides last before the final quarter. GWS were working hard, winning plenty of the ball in the second quarter. Sydney Sixers WBBL allrounder Jodie Hicks snapped an inspirational goal to give them the lead. While the Crows were left stranded on two majors, the Giants Britt Tully benefited from a 50m penalty to goal against the breeze in the third quarter before Stauntons long-bomb goal early in the final quarter all but sealed the deal. Alyce Parker under pressure Forward on the money JUSTIN CHADWICK GOLD Coast forward Kalinda Howarth booted four goals to lead her side to a convincing 25-point AFLW win over West Coast at an empty Mineral Resources Park in Perth. The Eagles managed just a solitary behind in the first half of yesterdays match, but launched several forward forays in the third quarter. But when West Coast ruck Parris Laurie missed a set shot from 15m out, the Suns moved quickly to put the game to bed. And it was Howarth who stepped up to the plate, booting two goals in two minutes to set up the 5.3 (33) to 1.2 (8) win. Howarth couldnt even get a game last year for Brisbane, but her star power was on full display against the Eagles. Gold Coasts second win of the season lifts them into fourth spot in Conference B, just one win and percentage adrift of third-placed Brisbane with two rounds to play. The top-three teams from each conference advance to the finals. West Coast were on track to post the AFLWs lowest total after having just 0.2 (2) to their name midway through the final quarter. But they avoided that unwanted record when Hayley Bullas converted from 25m. Kalinda Howarth of the Suns marks the balls the ball during the Round 6 AFLW match against the West Coast Eagles at Mineral Resources Park in Perth yesterday Picture: AAP IMAGE/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT