UTS Bats v East Coast Eagles

The UTS Bats hosted the East Coast Eagles at Waverley Oval, for their second clash in the 2026 season. The Bats were pushing to maintain their spot in the top 4, and being a game ahead of the other sides, they would need to secure a win to stay competitive. The Eagles have just 1 win under their belt this season, and if their previous match up with the Bats was any indication, they would need to play at their best to challenge the home side. 

The umpire raised the ball, and East Coast competed strongly in the ruck, clearing the ball into the away side's forward 50. Vice Captain Stanwix (14) defended strongly against East Coast’s advances, but with the visitors setting up around the 50, it only took a minor skill error from the Bats for Eagle’s captain McMillan (8) to crumb the ball and send a superb kick from 40 metres out to secure their first goal. Tensions were high, with both sides giving away unnecessary free kicks as the contest heated up. It took the composure of Canobie (8) to crumb the footy out of stoppage and send it into Brianna-Lee Wade (20), who reliably converted for the Bats, bringing the score to UTS 1.0.6 - Eagles 1.1.7. The Bats were focused for the remainder of the quarter, executing their trademark inside 50 domination. Martini (4) was excellent at half forward, sending a penetrating kick from the 50 arc to secure the second goal for her team. Alexandra Wade (19) held her position at full forward, however she was unable to convert, giving her team 3 behinds and putting the Bats in the lead 2.3.15 - 1.1.7 at quarter time. 

McMillan Scores!

credit: Jordan Hamer Photography

The second term opened with the Bats in form, presenting to contests across the width of the ground thanks to their agile winger, Rudd (23). The Eagles left their pace in the first quarter, and UTS were capitalising. A chain of hand balls gave Martini the time to spot Casiglia’s (25) lead in open pasture, and the small forward converted her set shot comfortably. The visitors were rattled, giving away 5 free kicks in 5 minutes, as well as a 50 metre penalty for dissent, which put Morris at the top of the box to add another to the tally, and put the Bats in the lead 31 - 7. With UTS building momentum, the Eagles needed to steady their defensive efforts. Gilchrist (9) and Paull (53) rose to the challenge, defending excellently in crucial passages of play. East Coast were able to flood the stoppages as the minutes wound down, heading into the sheds with a 26 point deficit, 4.9.33 - 1.1.7. 

Casiglia and Martini celebrate

credit: Jordan Hamer Photography

The third term arrived with the weather, and the rain would come to demonstrate the resilience of each team as the play turned scrappy. Without their preferred conditions, the UTS side dropped its efficiency, and found themselves tackled excellently by the forces of McMillan and Huynh (5). No play could top that of East Coast’s Southon (23), who triumphed in a 3 to 1 contest against the Bat’s finest defenders to secure a needed goal for the visitors. A late opportunity to score arose in the Bats forward half, however with the relentless conditions, Casiglia couldn’t find her target in McCaffrey (15), and the Bats left the quarter with the margin narrowed to 20, 4.10.34 - 2.2.14. 

Taylah Canobie impacts in the second half

credit: Jordan Hamer Photography

With the weather neutralising the Bat’s aerial contest, the ball laid marooned between the 50 arcs in a quarter of heavy contest. UTS’s Burnett (26) kept front position in the ruck, winning most of her tap outs and providing excellent clearance, however the usual targets of Martini and Wade were unable to mark in the damaging conditions. The Eagles brought the physical contest, with Arndt (28) powering through stoppages, however Stanwix got behind every East Coast effort. With some impressive footwork, Wightwick (9) dodged the pressing Eagles defenders, and sent a hasty drop punt in the direction of Alexandra Wade. Wade missed the mark, but the bounce of the Sherrin favoured the home side, crossing the goal line. Aside from a behind to the Bats, there would be no further score, and the Bats would be victorious at home against the East Coast Eagles, winning 5.12.42 - 2.3.15. 

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