AN impressive performance from winger Laura Gardiner has been a key to the Geelong Falcons keeping their unbeaten start to the 2019 NAB League season intact.
The reigning premier had few troubles in seeing off Bendigo Pioneers by 49 points at Deakin University, 9.5 (59) to 1.4 (10).
Gardiner, who was a member of last year’s grand final team, provided a constant link between the backline and forward line for the Falcons.
“Laura was outstanding today,” coach Jason Armistead said.
“She played on the wing all day. She’s been really solid the first two weeks, and her workrate was amazing today.
“I don’t know what her stats were, but she got great reward for all her running and was so clean with the footy.”
Leaders Paige Sheppard and Luke Lesosky-Hay also continued their impressive starts to the season, while Mia Skinner kicked a career-high four goals after three last week to grab be a co-leader at the top of the competition’s goalkicking table.
Armistead says the Falcons’ consistency over the opening three rounds has been pleasing.
“I can’t fault our girls over any of the games … they’ve been so consistent so far,” he said.
“It really gives us confidence as coaches that each week we know what we’re going to get.”
An arm injury to Poppy Schaap was the only lowlight on a bright day for the Falcons, who will look to extend their unbeaten start to 2019 when they travel to Ballarat’s City Oval for a meeting with the GWV Rebels on Saturday.
Twitter: @tom_king79
GEELONG FALCONS 2.2, 5.2, 6.4, 9.5 (59)
BENDIGO PIONEERS 0.0, 0.1, 0.1, 1.4 (10)
Goals: Geelong Falcons: M. Skinner 4, E. Vella, I. Long, R. Tierney, L. Ryan, A. Chapman
Bendigo Pioneers: M. Ward
Best: Geelong Falcons: L. Gardiner, P. Sheppard, L. Lesosky-Hay, M. Skinner, K. Haustorfer, P. Schaap
Bendigo Pioneers: B. Hards, K. Douglass, E. Snell, M. Tupper, J. Jolliffe, D. Villiva
