SWFL 2022: Two bursts enough for Bulls to win

A blistering opening term by the Harvey Bulls women’s team proved telling during Saturday’s 7.5 (47) to 2.4 (16) win over a rising Carey Park at the Harvey Recreation Ground.

The Bulls burst from the blocks, booting four unanswered goals inside the opening 10 minutes, before the Panthers gradually found their feet and tightened things up.

However this match will be ultimately remembered for the united stance both sides took in not only condemning racism, but improving the education and awareness of indigenous cultures.

Both sides formed a tight circle in the centre square prior to the clash, with players from each team specifically interlocked.

Bulls president Joe Rognetta passionately spoke from the heart about the importance of embracing players and people from all backgrounds, which was heartily echoed by all in the vicinity.

Fittingly, it was Maddie Bedford, one of the Bulls’ finest ever women’s players and advocates for cultural inclusion, who broke the game open inside the early stages.

Capitalising on quality delivery into the teeth of goal, Bedford’s flair came to the fore, with two quality goals leaving the Bulls supporters jumping for joy.

Staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat, the Panthers increased their intensity around the ground and put the home side under enormous pressure over the following two and a half quarters.

This pressure eventually translated into scoreboard pressure, with Brooke Pepper’s goal for Carey Park at the nine-minute mark of the third term trimming the deficit to a manageable nine points.

Unfortunately for the plucky Panthers, they were subjected to another Bulls purple patch, with three unanswered goals in the final term padding out their winning margin.