Denmark’s Parris Laurie coaches Perth Football League State women’s side in 63-point loss to Victoria

Denmark’s Parris Laurie coached Perth Football League’s representative women’s side on the weekend as they fell to a 63-point defeat against Victoria at Elsternwick Park in Melbourne. Laurie was head coach of the PFL State side in 2022 but Saturday’s clash against Victoria was the first time her team has faced a side outside of WA. It has been 20 years since Perth’s amateur football competition played Victoria in a representative clash. After a tightly contested opening quarter between the two outfits, Victoria gained the ascendancy, going on to win comfortably with a 11.11 (77) to 2.2 (14) triumph. Sophie Stewart broke the deadlock for Victoria with a clever snap to open scores in the first term. Victoria’s Molly Simpson was awarded a free kick and extended the lead, before Warnbro Swans captain Alyssa Smogavec opened the account for WA. Victoria showed their dominance in the second quarter, kicking four goals while keeping Perth scoreless to open up a 35-point lead at the main break. Despite a much-improved third term, WA were unable to have an impact on the scoreboard with Victoria’s defence holding firm in the face of plenty of pressure. Cat O’Bryan and Ella Baxter both hit the scoreboard for Victoria to push the margin out to 56 points with a quarter to play. Scarborough’s Cheney Armstrong capitalised on a mistake from the Victorian defence and booted home WA’s second goal. Simpson led the way on the scoresheet with three goals and played a big role in the forward line. She was part of an incredibly strong forward line with Asha Price and Sophie Stewart also troubling the WA defence all day. Sabreena McKinnon (Baldivis) and Caitlin Pears (Fremantle CBC) fought valiantly for WA, and were threatening around stoppages and running off half-back. Stefanie Wust (University) and Isabella Strnadica (Melville) also played important roles. Victoria midfielder Mia Caffry was electric while Rebecca Grant and Catherine Stanton also shone, with Simone Mooney awarded best on ground honour for Victoria. Laurie made the surprise announcement last year when she called time on her AFLW career in 2022 after 33 games across four seasons with Fremantle and West Coast, aged 27. She finished third in the Eagles club champion award in 2022 after being named best club person in 2021 and making the women’s AFL team of the year in 2020. In the men’s State game, WA played out a thrilling overtime contest with Victoria with nothing separating the two sides after regular time. After trailing by 39 points at half-time, a six-goal to two third term had WA with their tails up and they were within reach of a stirring comeback win. Wagin product Kyle Hamersley kicked a crucial goal in overtime to give WA the lead but a late run from Victoria quelled any hopes of a miraculous come-from-behind result as they edged ahead in extra time to claim a memorable 20.10 (130) to 17.9 (111) victory. Charlie MacIsaac kicked a steadier for Victoria to go into the final break with only a single kick separating the two States, setting up an all-time classic in the last quarter. A 32-minute final term followed, with WA striking early in quick succession through Matt Young and Kyle Halligan to put the travelling side in front for the first time since the opening minute of the game. Kyle Halligan slotted his third goal to bring the margin back to one-point before Trey Kennedy kicked his third to give the home side a five-point advantage. A behind from WA’s Halligan left the door open for Victoria, and it took all of Henry Brown’s nerves of steel to kick the goal for Victoria that levelled scores. WA’s Josh Branchi took a mark in defence and was awarded a 50m penalty, the play moving from centre half back to centre half forward as the full-time siren sounded. With scores level Branchi had the chance to win the game but the kick fell short. Despite Hamersley’s early extra time goal, fatigue would play a factor and Victoria kicked the next four unanswered goals in to run away with a hard-fought win.