The Ararat Storm powered to a 128-point win against the Carisbrook Lions in the Ballarat Football League Youth Girls competition at Carisbrook on Sunday.
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It was a scrappy start to the game with neither team able to gain a big ascendancy across the ground.
The Storm were inaccurate in front of goal, kicking two goals from seven scoring chances but held the home team scoreless to take a 17-point lead into the first break.
The visitors continued to improve as the game went on and created regular chances to score in the second quarter.
The margin extended to 45 points at the long break with the Storm working their way into their preferred style.
A 12-goal second half ensured the Storm won comfortably, and finished the match without conceding a point to the home team.
Storm coach Krystal Cameron said it was pleasing to see the team step up with some of the senior players missing the match.
“It was a good game, we had a few girls out, so it was good to see the younger brigade step up and play their role,” she said.
“It gave them the opportunity to step up and take on bigger roles and take on some extra leadership and they seemed to really embrace that.”
It is not the first time the Storm has kept their opponents scoreless, with Cameron pleased with the team’s emphasis on pressure across the ground.
“The defensive effort from the team was good, we were a bit smaller and less experienced down there, so there was a lot of onus put on the midfielders to ensure their pressure was up pregame, and they did that,” Cameron said.
“It was a bit easier than we expected.
“They were quite physical and we were able to play to that style, despite it not being how we want to play but after half time, we got back to how we want to play our football.”
Cameron said despite the dominant performance, there were still some things the team needs to work on.
“Overall, the goal kicking has been a bit of an issue for a while, we have been trying to work on it but it does not seem to be making a big difference,” she said.
"But we will just have a light session on Wednesday, not much running and lots of rubdowns.
“Some of the girls looked really tired towards the end of the match after playing on Saturday and Sunday.”
The Storm will face East Point Dragons on Sunday.
