LIZZIE Dowling has become the first Geelong Falcon to kick five goals in a NAB League Girls game to inspire her team to a four-point win over the Murray Bushrangers at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Trailing by eight points and kicking into the wind in the closing stages of the contest, the Falcons kicked two late goals to snatch an 8.9 (57) to 8.5 (53) victory.
Coach Paul Corrigan rated the victory one of the best during his short tenure with the Falcons after they suffered their biggest-ever loss against Dandenong Stingrays to open the season.
“For me, it gives them a lot of confidence that they trust in what we’re trying to do,” he said.
“Murray has improved heaps from what they were last year, so it was a really good match when 16 goals were kicked across both sides.”
Corrigan hailed the performance of Dowling, who has returned as a 19-year-old after being overlooked in last year’s draft.
“I reckon Lizzy had nine shots on goal, so she could have kicked seven or eight,” he said.
“We played her closer to goal, and she was pretty influential throughout the day.
“I think it’s a good reflection of her. Missing the draft last year, we’ve re-looked at where we can play her to show her talents even more.
“We’ve pushed her forward, and she’s got really good craft one-on-one; she’s quite strong and reads the game really well.”
Analea McKee started the match forward but was sent into defence by Corrigan and was a key to the final result.
Ruck Keeley Hardingham, second-gamer Lucy Maresuk on a half-f0rward flank, captain Charlotte Simpson and midfielder Sara Howley were also impressive.
However, a knee injury suffered by vice-captain Ash van Loon has slightly soured the win.
The Vic Country Academy member came from the field in the first quarter and didn’t return.
She is expected to undergo scans early in the week.
“We kept her off as a precaution from quarter time because we didn’t want to risk anything,” Corrigan said.
“She was trying to get back on and wanted to play out the game.
“We didn’t want to take the risk with her being a Vic Country representative and vice-captain of our side.”
The Falcons will meet Gippsland Power at Highgate Recreation Reserve next Sunday.
Twitter: @tom_king79
