Sports wrap: see the latest results and upcoming clashes for Deakin’s elite-athlete students
The pointy end of a number of elite sporting competitions are fast approaching, as a host of Deakin students lace up their boots for another big week of sport. Keep up with all their achievements in the latest edition of our sports wrap.
Winter Paralympic Games
While it wasn’t quite the fairytale finish for Deakin alum Mitchell Gourley, the seasoned Paralympic skier signed off from his fourth and final games proving he is still one of the world’s best.
‘It’s been a tough week, an emotional week but the biggest thing for me was trying to prove to myself and make sure that I wasn’t here to make up the numbers, that I’m still competitive,’ he said.
‘I think I did that in sections of the GS [Giant Slalom] and sections of Slalom. I proved I’m still one of the best skiers in the world when I string it together.’
Mitch placed eleventh after the first run from a starting list of 46 entrants in the Men’s Slalom Standing, nine of whom didn’t complete the run.
After 16 years of service to skiing, Mitch doesn’t know exactly what the future holds but certainly sees himself immersed in the world of sport.
‘As far as Para-winter sport in Australia, I don’t know what it’ll look like but I’m willing and able and open to give as much as I can to this movement because we benefited from an incredible legacy when we joined the Paralympic winter team, and we want that to continue.’
AFLW
With 10 rounds down, the AFLW finals are upon us with a handful of Deakin students chasing the elusive silverware with their respective sides.
Magpies Lauren Butler and Mikala Cann will line up in a do-or-die clash against the Lions at the Gabba – the same scene as last year’s Preliminary Final heartbreak. Collingwood will be looking to reverse their fortunes and advance to the next week of finals, where they’ll take on Eliza McNamara’s Demons if successful.
Highlighting just how important all three players are to their sides, Lauren, Mikala and Eliza were all selected in the AFLPA’s 22under22 squad this week. The squad was selected by the AFLPA, with support from Champion Data, and fans can decide on the final team by voting at 22under22.com.au.
Also named in the squad were Geelong young guns Rebecca Webster and Nina Morrison (pictured, left, with teammate Stephanie Williams). Current Deakin student Rebecca and recent alum Nina will be seeking their second selection in the final team, as the only Cats to have previously featured since it began in 2020.
W-League
The scene is set for a first finals Melbourne Derby, as Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory are primed to face off for a spot against Sydney FC in the W-League final.
Deakin students Emma Checker and Leah Davidson suffered a hard-fought defeat when Melbourne City went down to Sydney FC, 4-2. City led 2-0 but a chaotic end to the game saw Sydney fight back to send it to extra time before twice finding the back of the net in the additional period.
City will be fighting for a rematch against Sydney FC, when they take on Polly Doran, Melina Ayres and their Melbourne Victory side who won their way to the preliminary final through a 2-1 win over Adelaide United. Melina’s fifty-seventh-minute winner not only made her the second top goal-scorer in Victory’s history, but secured the result to set up the Melbourne showdown next Sunday.
WNBL
Just a single round remains in the WNBL season before finals are underway and Deakin elite-athlete students Ezi Magbegor and Lily Scanlon are in the box-seat for the Melbourne Boomers.
The Boomers will be put to the test against the top-of-the-table UC Capitals in their final home and away match, the perfect gauge of form before the business end of the season commences.
Are you an elite athlete studying at Deakin?
Elite athletes can face many demands in finding a balance between their studies and sporting commitments, and we understand the need to support student athletes to enable them to succeed in both areas.
If you’ve got any questions about how the Elite Athlete Program (EAP) could help you, please visit the EAP website or contact the Elite Sports Coordinator, Jack Duke, at [email protected].