STAR netballer Mel Bragg has again impressed in the early stages of her Australian Rules football career after a four-goal haul in Geelong’s 51-point VFLW win over Port Melbourne.
The Cats kept the Richmond-aligned Borough goalless in the 7.10 (52) to 0.1 (1) victory at Deakin University, but Bragg’s four-goal effort was the talking point.
“We played down back against Carlton (in Round 1), and she was very good,” coach Andrew Bruce told Bay 93.9’s The Sideline View.
“And last week, she spent some time in the ruck for us as well.
“Then we pushed her forward this week, and she’s doing it on her ear … making it look very easy.”
Geelong dominated most statistical categories, including disposals (236-157), inside 50s (41-9) and clearances (32-17).
However, despite their dominance, Bruce wasn’t entirely satisfied with how the Cats moved the ball.
“We just kept on being at the girls about the way we wanted to move it and give our forwards the best chance to score,” he said.
“We did it for periods of time, but probably just not for long enough.
“We’ve still got a long way to go.”
VFLW-listed trio Paige Sheppard (26 disposals, nine tackles, seven clearances), vice-captain Chloe Leonard (22 disposals, five tackles and seven clearances) and Tamara Smith (20 disposals, seven tackles and four clearances) were again keys to victory.
Of the AFLW contingent, forward Claudia Gunjaca worked hard for her 17 disposals and finished with 1.2.
Geelong will look to make it four consecutive wins when it hosts Southern Saints at Deakin Uni next Saturday morning.
Twitter: @tom_king79
