Island girls go down in a close one

The Phillip Island girls once again stepped up over the weekend. In trying conditions, they took on Morwell at home.

Fielding a team of 13 amazing girls the island was slow to get out of the blocks and unfortunately let Morwell score two easy goals before they switched up a gear and got their running game going.

The second quarter saw the island girls lift their intensity and start to play their game.

The midfielders of Lily O'Loughlin, Mikki Leary, Giselle Smith and Teirlin Hamley worked tirelessly all day and set up a great wall to block the ball in the forward line. After numerous attacks forward, Teirlin Hamley finally got onto a great kick and sent the ball through the goal for the island's first and only goal.

As the game progressed some of the less experienced girls started to come to the fore, with Lily "Elbow" Bow, Scarlett Rees and Georgia Niven providing strong options up the forward, and Mia Ward and Tahlia Jessup taking strong marks and clearing the ball numerous times out of defence.

The final quarter saw Jade Ricardo move into the middle and the girls launch numerous attacks forward.

Macey Stubbs stepped up in the ruck and Mikki Leary, Lily O'Loughlin and Jayla Loughridge continued to attack the ball. Tess Ricardo was once again a rock in defence, but unfortunately the girls couldn't capitalise on their great efforts.

A great effort by the girls in wet and cold conditions.

Final scores: Morwell: 2.6.18 def Phillip Island: 1.2.8.

Best players: Giselle Smith (recipient of the Beau Vernon Medal), Jade Ricardo, Teirlin Hamley, Lily O'Loughlin, Macey Stubbs, Mia Ward, Scarlett Rees and Tahlia Jessup.

Goals: Teirlin Hamley.