UNBEATEN after three rounds, with a curtain raiser before an AFLW game next on the agenda.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
North Wagga's first season in the AFL Southern NSW's women's competition couldn't have started any better, and Saints coach Nathan Dowdle believes they're primed to put on a show at Robertson Oval on Saturday.
The Saints' clash with fellow newcomers East Wagga Kooringal is one of two local matches to be played before the AFLW match between Greater Western Sydney and Richmond.
It gives the women a chance to show what they can do in front of a few more eyeballs.
"When the email first came through (about the match) and it was mentioned to the girls, their jaws dropped a bit and it was a laugh to see their reaction.
"Now they've had the three games under their belt they'll be really excited by the opportunity for starters, and the ground looks like a bowling green. It's going to be super."
After big wins over Brookdale and Narrandera, the Saints passed their biggest test to date with a 4.5 (29) to 2.1 (13) road win over last year's grand finalists Griffith on Friday night.
North Wagga led 21-1 at halftime after kicking three unanswered goals in the first term, before the Swans kicked two of their own in the third quarter to reduce the deficit to nine.
But the Saints responded with the only goal of the fourth quarter to prevail, with Jordan Barrett finishing with two majors.
"They really got on top of us in the second and third quarter, but the pleasing thing was the girls didn't go away from how we play," Dowdle said.
"To get challenged by good opposition which Griffith were and still stick to what we've practiced was good to see."
In other matches defending premiers CSU also remain unbeaten after a 6.6 (42) to 0.0 (0) shutout of East Wagga Kooringal, while the Riverina Lions also keep a perfect record after a 5.8 (38) to 1.2 (8) defeat of Narrandera.
Swans coach Trevor Richards was happy with his side's response after the first change.
"At that point (quarter-time) you are probably looking at how far," he said.
"We had a bit of a chat at quarter-time, and from then on they played really well.
"They kicked one goal for the rest of the game, so I'm super proud of the effort."
RESULTS
Charles Sturt University 2.2 2.4 5.4 6.6 (42)
East Wagga Kooringal Hawks 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 (0)
GOALS - Charles Sturt University :Kahli Abbott 3, Ashleigh Halligan 2, Claire Wilson 1.
BEST - Charles Sturt University: Emily Clout, Gabrielle Goldsworthy, Emily Newton, Kahli Abbott, Chloe Hinde, Chayse Holland. East Wagga Kooringal Hawks: Tayla Paterson, Keely Bloomfield, Sophie Crouch, Holly Holt, Zahli Meriton, Katelin Wallace
Riverina Lions 1.2 1.2 4.5 5.8 (38)
Narrandera Eagles 0.0 0.2 0.2 1.2 (8)
GOALS - Riverina Lions :Kyra Jackson 2, Amy Coote 2, Holly Conroy 1
BEST - Riverina Lions: Lani Watson, Amy Coote, Holly Conroy , Brooke Larfield, Grace Di Trapani, Hayley Hackett. Narrandera Eagles: Jacinta Smith, Emily Brooke, Julie McLean, Daneka Hatty, Lucy Hickenbotham
Riverina Lions 1.2 1.2 4.5 5.8 (38)
Narrandera Eagles 0.0 0.2 0.2 1.2 (8)
GOALS - Riverina Lions: Kyra Jackson 2, Amy Coote 2, Holly Conroy 1.
BEST - Riverina Lions: Lani Watson, Amy Coote, Holly Conroy , Brooke Larfield, Grace Di Trapani, Hayley Hackett. Narrandera Eagles: Jacinta Smith, Emily Brooke, Julie McLean, Daneka Hatty, Lucy Hickenbotham
READ MORE
