GEELONG Falcons coach Paul Corrigan has hailed his team’s approach following Sunday’s 70-point win over the struggling Gippsland Power at Craigieburn’s Highgate Recreation Reserve.
The Falcons topped the ton for the first time since entering the competition in 2017 while also recording the club’s equal-second-biggest win in the 15.11 (101) to 4.7 (31) result.
“The message to the girls was we just want to keep improving in what we do,” Corrigan said.
“You can get caught up in previous games with the opposition and what they’ve done.
“I said to the girls, ‘yeah, they might have been beaten by a bit in their first two games, but if we rest on our laurels and think it’s going to be an easy game, they’ll be super competitive, and we’ll have a fight on our hands’.
“They played the first quarter really well, and we probably should have kicked a few more goals than what we did in that first quarter, but I think it set the tone.”
After setting a new club record for goals in a game last week with five, Lizzie Dowling found her mark equalled by teammate Analea McKee.
Between the pair, they kicked nine goals, with Dowling contributing another four majors to take her season tally to 11.
Defenders Sara Howley and Chloe Adams also impressed Corrigan with their performances in defence.
“They set up a lot of attack for us of the half-back line,” he said.
“We had Keeley Hardingham through the middle, and she was strong in and around the contest as well.
“Mekah Morrissy out on the wing; I think that was her best performance for the year.
“She won a lot of the ball and had a real presence out there, which was pleasing as well.
The Falcons unveiled four debutants, with Ebony McLean, Macy Farvis, Sophie Mahar and Sienna Mallon playing their first NAB League Girls match.
Corrigan was especially taken by Mallon’s performance.
“She’s a natural footballer,” he said.
“Some of her delivery to the forwards was exceptional today, and I think she’ll just keep getting better and better.”
Meanwhile, Corrigan confirmed vice-captain Ash Van Loon’s season is over with the Vic Country Academy member set for surgery on a knee injury suffered in the previous week’s win over Murray Bushrangers.
Van Loon avoided a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament but suffered meniscus damage that might require surgical repair.
“She’ll see a surgeon next week, have a look at the meniscus and probably get that repaired,” Corrigan said.
“Her rehab will start from there, and she’ll probably miss the season.
“But, she’ll probably come back and do her rehab in the boys’ program, and hopefully, she can finish off with some VFL games towards the end of the year.”
The Falcons will chase a third-straight win when they host the Oakleigh Chargers in a re-match of last year’s grand final at Deakin University next Saturday.
Twitter: @tom_king79
