BENDIGO Thunder are readying themselves for a high-stakes games against Northern Football League Women’s rival Keilor, with outright top spot on the ladder up for grabs.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Thunder and Bulldogs enter Sunday’s clash at Weeroona Oval level on five wins, with undefeated Bendigo having played one less game.
The two teams have already met once this season at Joe Brown Reserve in Keilor on April 29, with the Thunder emerging with a 14-point win.
Brisbane AFLW forward Isabella Ayre was a difference maker in that game, kicking three-goals.
Alongside skipper Andrea Walsh, Bendigo has two of the league’s top-three goal kickers in its ranks.
Walsh leads all players this season with 26 goals, boosted by a haul of seven in the Thunder’s most recent win against Darebin, while Ayre has 15 in her four matches played.
The Bulldogs boast plenty of firepower of their own in the form of Brooke Todero (12 goals), Sarah Wright (10) and Tanya Barbuto (10).
Bendigo’s 16.13 (109) to 0.1 (1) win over Darebin was the third time this season the Thunder has kept its opposition goal-less.
The Thunder will be without Michelle Barkla, but have added Elizabeth Watkins, Lauren Datson and Lily Campbell to their extended squad.
THUNDER TEAM
B: J. Ross, G. Edlin, Y. Colley
HB: H. Perry, A. Wilson, S. Baldwin
C: A. Hay, O. McEvoy, L. Flanagan
HF: P. Cuttriss, A. Bailey-McClanahan, L. Bibby
F: I. Ayre, A. Walsh, A. Carrod
Foll: C. Ladson, T. Cochrane, K. Jacques
Inter: M. Naicori, B. Marshall, L. Datson, C. McRae, R. Thomas, L. Campbell, L. Watkins
In: L. Datson, L. Campbell, L. Watkins
Out: M. Barkla
