The Parkes Pantherettes travelled to an icy-cold and breezy Orange for round 6 with twelve players, who quickly needed to brave the cold and start the warm up process before the game commenced. As the clouds rolled over Waratah Oval and the sun tried to poke through, it was game time.
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Full back Cassandra Kelly played her 60th AFL match, which is a top notch achievement as the senior women's league is continually growing each year and Cass is a role model for all up and coming female players.
Cass has previously played for Dubbo Demons, however Parkes is proud to have had Cass play her 60th game in the red, white and blue.
Parkes was also bolstered by two of Orange's own players who donned the Parkes guernsey - Nita Noble and Erika Lindsay showed great sportsmanship in facing down their own teammates for the full game.
In the first quarter, the Pantherettes backline had to hold the fort as Orange kept coming and coming with forward 50 entries.
Half back Michelle Row was in the thick of it all, ducking, weaving and cutting her way through to belt the ball as far away as possible. Orange scored a goal and Parkes were held scoreless.
After a tiring first quarter, there was plenty of praise from Captain Roseby and Coach Ralph, Parkes had to concentrate on communicating to one another on field.
Player's player Harriet Moore continued her fine form for the season, with numerous tackles, gut running up, down and all around the ground, slick handballs and a cheerful attitude.
Parkes had quite a few inside forward 50 entries, but unfortunately no score eventuated. Orange scored a goal and three behinds to round out the first half of the game.
As the third quarter begins, long hard battles in the midfield and lots of back and forth inside forward 50 entries for both teams.
Renee Massurit challenged the Orange forwards by keeping on their toes and getting to the ball first, making it a hard contest for the forwards to take a mark. Orange scored a goal and no result for Parkes.
Final quarter and the backline were under extreme pressure again for majority of the quarter. New recruit Ashleigh Kaesler combined with Laura Dorman in defence to create a fantastic partnership, to ensure the Tigers couldn't easily muscle their way through. Yet again the ball was back and forth all over the ground and inside both teams forward lines. Orange scored two goals and Parkes were held scoreless, despite multiple inside 50 entries all game.
Coach Felicity Ralph stated "After coming back with a couple of weeks off the girls had their first five minutes on the field to find their positions, they played extremely well and gel so well as a team, we are lacking numbers to get across the line but the determination from each player is incredible. We have a really strong back line and we are just really working on getting the ball to the forward line and kick a few goals. Congratulations on another great week."
Parkes Panthers 0.0-0 defeated by Orange Tigers 5.3-33
Next game - Parkes Panthers vs Bathurst Bushrangers at George Park 2 at 12.30pm
