AFLW: West Coast star Ella Roberts stars again as Eagles take down Greater Western Sydney
Ella Roberts continues to add to her extraordinary reputation after leading West Coast to their fourth win of the season with a 24-point victory over Greater Western Sydney.
The second-year star was a class above, kicking two goals from 20 disposals and nine tackles as the Eagles retained their spot inside the top eight with the 10.4 (64) to 6.4 (40) win at Henson Park on Sunday.
Roberts, 19, played a mix of midfield and up forward where she caused the Giants’ plenty of headaches with her ability to be in the right place and willingness to work.
The win has the Eagles poised to make a maiden finals appearance in their sixth season.
West Coast broke the game open in a rampant third term, kicking the only three goals of the term despite the Giants’ ability to produce repeat inside 50s.
Bella Lewis (23 disposals and seven tackles) gave the Eagles the perfect start when she kicked a goal from the right forward pocket within the opening minutes.
It was against the tide as the Giants dominated the game but couldn’t break the Eagles’ backline.
Camera IconIsabella Lewis of the Eagles celebrates with teammates. Credit: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
Roberts added the Eagles’ second as the rain fell, but the Eagles’ lead was whittled back to less than a kick as the Giants finally broke through for a major in the dying seconds of the first quarter to Tarni Evans (three goals).
West Coast then put their foot down in the second term. Belinda Smith kicked the second goal of her AFLW career from a set shot, before Roberts kicked multiple goals in a game for the first time when she snapped out of the contest on her left.
The Giants responded with repeated attacks, recording the next 10 inside 50s but a point was their only reward.
West Coast had no problem doing it to the Giants though, rebounding out of defence with pace to set up a big goal from Octavia Di Donato to lead by 21 points at the main break.
Camera IconJayme Harken celebrates a goal. Credit: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
The Eagles effectively closed the door on any hopes of a comeback for the Giants, with Lewis and Alison Drennan (20 disposals and five clearances) continued to pile on the pain early in the third term.
Alicia Eva finally snapped the Eagles’ run of six unanswered goals midway through the third term, but the damage had been done.
The Giants dominated the final term to bring the margin back to a reasonable size, kicking three unanswered goals in the last term.
Kellie Gibson added icing on the cake in the last 20 seconds with a brilliant goal as the celebrations begam for Daisy Pearce’s side.
SCOREBOARD
WEST COAST 2.0, 5.1, 9.1, 10.4 (64)
GWS 1.2, 1.4, 3.4, 6.4 (40)
Goals – WEST COAST: E Roberts 3 K Gibson 2 O Di Donato A Drennan J Harken I Lewis B Smith. GWS: T Evans 3 A Eva G Garnett Z Goldsworthy.
Best – WEST COAST: E Roberts I Lewis C Thomas A Drennan T Lyons O Di Dnato. GWS: T Evans I Huntington A Parker R Beeson H Zreika K Srhoj.
Injuries – GWS: A Newman (knee).
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