Kira Phillips made history and the Peel Thunderbirds picked up their sixth straight win when they annihilated South Fremantle to the tune of 141 points at Fremantle Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Phillips bagged a whopping nine majors in the 22.15 (147) to 1.0 (6) victory, with her seventh goals of the day pushing her career total past the 200 mark.
All of her total 202 WA Women’s Football League goals have come in a Thunderbirds jumper, and she helped get Peel off to a strong start as they piled on seven goals in the opening term.
South Fremantle couldn’t catch a break while the Thunderbirds scored frantically, with the guests keeping their hosts goalless across the first three quarters of the match.
Peel was dominant across that stretch, with Phillips the focal point up front flanked with support from Kate Bartlett and Greta McKinley, who both tallied three goals.
South Freo’s first and only goal for the day came off a 50m penalty in the final quarter, with Peel storming to a ground-breaking win.
Head coach Mark Fenton lauded Phillips for cracking the double-ton, a feat he says should not go without recognition.
“She’s a superstar, and we’re so proud of her and what she’s been able to achieve with our club,” he said.
“Kira basically owns every goal-kicking record at Peel by a mile and she’s been a rock for us on so many occasions.
“Honestly, kicking 200 in women’s footy is like kicking 400 in men’s, so this is a significant achievement.”
Sonia Dorizzi also had reason to celebrate with a win in her 50th game, while young star Courtney Hodder enjoyed success in her first game of the season with a goal.
Katie Grieve was influential around the ground.
Peel now heads into the most highly-anticipated game of their season to date, with a top-two clash against East Fremantle looming in round 11.
The Thunderbirds reside in second with a 9-1 record, but have the chance to even the ledger with the 10-0 Sharks when they square off at East Fremantle Oval on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Peel’s youth girls notched an important win of their own when they walloped the second-place South Fremantle by 51 points.
The win keeps the Thunderbirds unbeaten record in tact and further separates them from the rest of the pack.
Their reserves also remain undefeated after drubbing South Fremantle 15.12 (102) to 1.1 (7).
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
