North Melbourne’s strengthened its possibilities of a top-four end for the fourth time in its six-season historical past after claiming a record-breaking five-goal win over GWS on Sunday afternoon.
The Roos’ pair of targets within the second and fourth quarters was sufficient to see them over the road and right into a prime 4 spot on the completion of Spherical 5.
The 4.8 (32) to 0.2 (2) rating line in heat and windy situations at Arden Road Oval was the bottom scoring AFLW recreation since St Kilda and Geelong went head-to-head in Spherical 9 final season in an 18-9 consequence.
In the meantime for the Giants, they continue to be winless this season alongside the Western Bulldogs and danger claiming a second wood spoon after falling to backside place on the ladder following the consequence.
Roos coach Darren Crocker was happy along with his facet’s efficiency regardless of not with the ability to hit the scoreboard as a lot as they may have.
“It was a superb messy win,” Crocker stated.
“It could’ve been good to kick extra precisely to doubtlessly blow the rating out a bit of bit extra.
“However for a recreation that I assumed we managed from the outset, it was nonetheless a extremely robust win.
“Folks most likely don’t realise how swirly the situations have been all through the entire recreation.”
The Roos dominated within the statistics profitable inside 50’s 38 to 12, clearances 43 to 22 and contested possessions 128 to 100.
Ash Riddell was the Roos main possession getter with 32 touches in a prime efficiency for the 27-year-old who additionally had 5 tackles.
Fellow midfielder Jasmine Garner additionally impressed, claiming 25 disposals and purpose whereas battling a tag for a big a part of the sport.
SLOW START REMAINS CONSTANT
The Roos and Giants have been sluggish to return out of the gates because the 16 to 2 half time rating line was the bottom scoring first half of the AFLW season.
The mixed 18 complete first-half factors follows North’s first half in opposition to Carlton in spherical two the place they placed on 3.1 whereas maintaining the Blues goalless on the similar venue.
Kate McCarthy in commentary stated the blustery wind was an element within the poor kicking which was at 56 per cent effectivity for North and 53 per cent for the Giants at half time.
“It actually impacts the gamers ball drop making it actually troublesome to hit your targets,” she stated.
Earlier than North’s two targets within the second time period, the house facet weren’t in a position to capitalise on their 10-nil inside 50 dominance within the opening quarter, scoring three behinds.
The stats have been largely in favour for the Roos within the first half profitable clearances 20-12 and inside 50’s 17 to eight, however the Giants received the uncontested possession rely comfortably 100 to 62.
PARKER ON TRACK FOR INCREDIBLE FEAT
Giants star midfielder Alyce Parker has damaged her profession greatest possessions for the second week in a row after choosing up a game-high 34 disposals.
The 23-year-old beats her earlier better of 31 which she gathered in opposition to Adelaide final week as she heightens her possibilities of claiming a membership greatest and fairest for the fifth straight season.
Parker was immense within the Giants strain, profitable the footy and laying eight of her facet’s 77 tackles.
BIG CLASH AWAITS GIANTS
The Giants could have their largest recreation of the 12 months in spherical six after they face sixteenth positioned West Coast at house in an try to leap off the underside of the desk.
Coach Cam Bernasconi stated it’s “an enormous recreation” for his footy membership.
“We’re on this place as a result of we battle to execute and play 4 quarters so right here we’re.
“Now what we acquired to do is proceed to study and deal with issues as quick as we will and be sure that we play a 4 quarter efficiency in opposition to West Coast.”
Scoreboard
ROOS 0.3 2.4 2.7 4.8 (32)
GIANTS 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2 (2)
HATZOGLOU’S BEST – Roos: Riddell, Garner, Bruton, Kearney, King. Giants: Parker, Goldsworthy, Eva, Zreika, Evans.
GOALS – Roos: Garner, Shierlaw, Eddey, Pullar. Giants: Nil.
INJURIES – Nil.
UMPIRES – Lopes, Manthey, Talbot.
VENUE – Arden Road Oval
Pies declare first win of grand ultimate day
Harm riddled, backs in opposition to the wall, Collingwood ahead Alana Porter produced a career-best efficiency to energy the Pies to an exhilarating 20-point win on the most important day on the soccer calendar.
The Pies discovered inspiration on a historic day to assert their second win of the season at Punt Rd Oval, whereas additionally maintaining their finals hopes alive within the course of as they edge nearer to the highest eight with a 2-3 report.
The 6.8 (44) to three.6 (24) win in scorching situations marked a powerful response after conceding 5 targets to nil within the ultimate quarter final week in opposition to St Kilda to lose by two targets.
Former decide 82 draftee Porter was the star of the present, following her purpose of the 12 months contender within the first time period with a matchwinning main within the third to increase her facet’s result in 21 factors.
It gave the Magpie followers one thing to cheer about early within the day earlier than the AFL grand ultimate takes place on the MCG.
Reigning Bombers best-and-fairest winner Madison Prespakis continued her tremendous kind this season with a game-high 30 possessions.
Bonnie Toodgood was greatest for the now 3-2 Bombers with the ahead kicking all three of her facet’s targets.
Pies midfielder-forward Sarah Rowe was Collingwood’s main possession winner with 20 touches, but it surely was Porter who was greatest on floor for her two clutch targets.
It was a bitter ending for the Bombers who had key ahead Sophie Alexander stretchered off within the ultimate time period as play got here to a halt following a deal with.
PORTER PRODUCES EPIC DEBUT GOAL
The Pies claimed their first lead of the sport by a outstanding Alana Porter end-to-end purpose.
Porter sprinted from midway to nail her gorgeous kick off the bottom as Bombers defenders chased their hardest to try to declare the free ball inside 50.
However Porter proved too fast and skilful as she nailed her first AFLW purpose from 20m out whereas additionally placing herself in rivalry for the purpose of the 12 months.
The second-straight purpose for the Pies gave them a 12-six benefit.
Earlier than the thrilling purpose it was Ashleigh Brazill who booted the ball lengthy right into a paddock of house from midway to arrange a charming race for the free footy.
TOOGOOD IN HOT FORM
Bombers ahead Bonnie Toogood is constructing a powerful case for a 3rd straight All-Australian honour after producing one other prime show on Sunday afternoon.
For the second week in row, the Bombers skipper nailed a purpose and had eight touches within the opening quarter.
Within the second quarter, she nailed the Bombers’ second purpose of the half to remain in contact with the Pies.
A 3rd purpose within the in ultimate time period propelled Toogood into the highest 5 on the competitors’s goalkicking leaderboard.
The 2018 Western Bulldogs premiership participant has 10 targets for the season to spherical 5 and 5 targets up to now two video games.
PIES END FOURTH-QUARTER HOODOO
When Eleri Morris snapped the Pies’ sixth purpose within the ultimate time period, a win was a surety, and it additionally introduced an finish to an undesirable streak.
Heading into the sport, the Pies had not registered a serious in a ultimate quarter of their first 4 video games.
Earlier than this week, they have been conceding three targets on common per recreation in ultimate quarters, however the black and white defence held as much as solely have one purpose scored on them.
Scoreboard
PIES 2.2 4.4 5.7 6.8 (44)
BOMBERS 1.0 2.1 2.2 3.6 (24)
HATZOGLOU’S BEST
Pies: Porter, Sheridan, Rowe, Cann, Bonnici, Davey.
Bombers: Toodgood, Prespakis, Nanscawen, Cain, Wales.
GOALS
Pies: Porter 2, Sheridan, Smith, Fowler, Morris.
Bombers: Toogood 3.
Accidents: Pies: Nil. Bombers: Alexander (head)
Umpires: Chrystie, Lyon, Stark.
Venue: Punt Rd Oval
Warmth on Canine as Saints discover groove
Within the battle of the under-pressure AFLW coaches, the warmth continues to rise on the Western Bulldogs’ Nathan Burke after his membership’s worst-ever begin to a season continued on Friday night time with an 18-point loss to St Kilda.
It was hardly the best manner for the Dogs to mark their first game back at their renovated Whitten Oval house, and the 8.6 (54) to six.0 (36) consequence ensured they remained winless from their first 5 video games, with their finals hopes all however shot after an injury-ravaged begin to the season.
Regardless of being signed up till the top of 2024, Burke has solely guided his group to at least one ultimate (a loss) in his 5 seasons in cost.
In the meantime, after a rocky begin to his third marketing campaign on the helm of the Saints, the strain has eased marginally on coach Nick Dal Santo who oversaw his seventh win from 24 makes an attempt. After back-to-back victories, the Saints nonetheless have a pulse within the finals race.
PRIEST LEADS THE WAY
Captain Hannah Priest was incredible for the Saints, racking up 27 disposals (11 contested), eight tackles and 4 clearances, whereas Jaimee Lambert was important as nicely, ending with 22 touches and a purpose.
For the Bulldogs, Ellie Blackburn continued her incredible season and was as soon as once more her group’s standout with 31 possessions (18 contested), 12 clearances and 6 tackles. Kirsty Lamb performed one in all her greatest video games of 2023 too, as she recorded 20 disposals (10 contested), six tackles, 5 clearances and a purpose.
WARDLAW SPARKS ST KILDA
The Saints acquired off to a flyer, kicking the primary three targets to shoot out to a 19-point lead within the opening time period, as Jesse Wardlaw began with a bang by kicking two of her three majors from the ruck to develop into simply the tenth participant in AFLW historical past to succeed in 50 profession targets.
“Jesse Wardlaw getting on the scoreboard twice within the first quarter gave us some perception that our system was going to work and was going to carry up,” Dal Santo stated post-match.
“We’re ready the place we’re nonetheless working with Jesse and exploring her potentialities.
“Jesse is a incredible ahead … and we’ve dabbled along with her within the ruck, after which we thought why don’t we simply attempt it a bit of bit extra?”
BULLDOGS BITE BACK
The Bulldogs did not capitalise on their early territory dominance, however that modified within the second time period as they grabbed an 11-point lead after kicking 5 majors in a row, together with two in 4 minutes from Alice Edmonds who was beforehand goalless in her 30-game profession.
SAINTS CLOSE IT OUT
Nonetheless, St Kilda hit again laborious, kicking the following 5 targets to steer by 23 factors late within the third quarter because the Bulldogs’ enthusiasm and assault on the ball rapidly dissipated, permitting the Saints to capitalise handsomely and produce a matchwinning burst.
“As a normal group they’re completely beautiful ladies (however) are they too good on the soccer area? Presumably sure,” Burke stated of his facet post-match.
“They should discover that grunt … that for 72 minutes out right here they’re combating for each single ball.
“We’re not match sufficient … I believe there’s most likely issues exterior of accidents inside our management that can make us fitter, simply understanding the extent of professionalism required now.
“Skipping an ice tub or not consuming correctly, nicely that doesn’t minimize it anymore.”
Scoreboard
DOGS 1.0, 5.0, 6.0, 6.0 (36)
SAINTS 3.1, 6.3, 8.6, 8.6 (54)
LERNER’S BEST
Bulldogs: Blackburn, Lamb, Pritchard, Edmonds, Wilcox.
Saints: Priest, Lambert, Patrikios, Wardlaw, Xenos, McDonald.
GOALS
Bulldogs: Edmonds 2, Pritchard, Lamb, Cranston, Berry.
Saints: Wardlaw 3, Exon, Xenos, Lambert, Guttridge, Richards.
UMPIRES: McIntee, Scott, Whetton
VENUE: Whitten Oval
Blues proper in finals combine after thrilling win
Carlton have held on for a nailbiting five-point victory over Sydney in a seesawing affair at Ikon Park on Friday.
After a good begin, the Blues broke the sport open with 4 of the final 5 targets within the first half, together with two to Mia Austin, to steer by 12 factors on the most important break.
The Swans hit again with two majors in 5 minutes to degree the scores once more early within the third quarter, and though Carlton regained management of play, they squandered a number of gilt-edged photographs at purpose, together with a pair of set photographs from Phoebe McWilliams and a goalsquare soccer try from Breann Moody, to maintain the door open for Sydney.
When Swans ahead Rebecca Privitelli took an enormous pack mark and kicked her fourth purpose from 25m out, the margin was minimize to 4 factors with simply over 4 minutes remaining.
Nonetheless, the Swans have been unable to exit their again half within the ultimate three minutes, guaranteeing Carlton an exhilarating 6.8 (44) to six.3 (39) win.
Sydney additionally misplaced Brooke Lochland to a medial ligament damage in her knee in her fiftieth recreation.
Swans coach Scott Gowans stated it was irritating to return so near profitable, however falling brief.
“It’s laborious to not make it emotive, since you are. You’re passionate they usually’re upset after the sport as nicely,” Gowans stated post-match.
“However you actually do should park it and simply bear in mind we’re a season-and-a-half in, and I believe we’ve improved loads, it’s simply (a case of) being patent.”
CARLTON JOIN LOGJAM
The consequence noticed the Blues be a part of the logjam on the ladder as one in all eight groups, as of Friday, with three wins.
To make the finals Carlton will most likely should win three of their final 5 video games, whereas the job to complete within the prime eight simply acquired more durable for the Swans who will doubtless want 4 extra victories.
However the win got here at a value for Carlton with Amelia Velardo copping a nasty knee to the ribs and taking little half within the second half.
AMAZING ABBIE
Abbie McKay starred for the Blues with 25 disposals (15 contested), 9 clearances and eight tackles, whereas ahead/ruck Moody had an enormous affect too with 16 touches (11 contested), 11 hitouts and a purpose.
“She was distinctive immediately,” Carlton coach Mathew Buck stated of Moody post-match.
“She’s making an attempt so as to add some layers to her recreation along with her ahead craft to enhance (ruck) Jess Good.
“She performed a bit of greater immediately as a ahead, did some ruck as nicely, however the contested marks have been most likely the distinction within the recreation in the long run.”
For the Swans, ruck Ally Morphett continued to point out why she is without doubt one of the most fun younger prospects within the AFLW with 25 possessions (13 contested), eight marks, 27 hitouts and 6 clearances, and Laura Gardiner had a day trip with 33 disposals (13 contested), seven clearances and a purpose.
BIZARRE START
Following a quick delay, after Carlton’s forwards and defenders initially lined up on the unsuitable ends of the bottom, prompting them to frantically dash to their right positions previous to the primary bounce, the sport acquired underway.
Scoreboard
BLUES: 1.0, 5.1, 5.4, 6.8 (44)
SWANS: 1.1, 3.1, 5.1, 6.3 (39)
LERNER’S BEST
Blues: McKay, Moody, Hill, Peterson, Fitzpatrick, Sherar.
Swans: Morphett, Gardiner, Privitelli, Steane, Heads.
GOALS
Blues: Austin 2, Moody, McWilliams, Fitzpatrick, Hill.
Swans: Privitelli 4, Gardiner, Smith.
INJURIES
Blues: Velardo (ribs).
Swans: Nil.
UMPIRES Ball, Clamp, Devenish
VENUE Ikon Park
Tigers depart run too late after Docker ambush
Fremantle has stored in contact with the AFLW prime eight after staving off a fast-finishing Richmond and hanging on for an exhilarating upset seven-point victory on Friday.
The Dockers headed into the match as rank underdogs with out injured star duo Kiara Bowers (knee) and Ebony Antonio (knee), however they defied the chances to expire 5.7 (37) to 4.6 (30) winners regardless of the affect of the Tigers’ Mon Conti.
“We’ve simply been large on different gamers standing up and taking part in their position and I assumed our mids did that actually nicely immediately,” Fremantle coach Lisa Webb stated post-match.
“(Richmond’s Mon) Conti is clearly a particularly stylish participant however I really feel (whereas) her numbers have been large, our affect across the contest was significantly better … our younger midfielders actually stood up immediately.”
By the point Makaela Tuhakaraina kicked her second purpose, an impressive snap shot on the run from 30m out, the Dockers have been up by 26 factors early within the third interval.
However simply as Freo seemed to be cruising to victory, Richmond roared to life, booting the final three targets of the sport to get again inside seven factors.
The Tigers’ tackling strain rose considerably they usually sharpened up their ball use in opposition to the waning Dockers in 28-degree warmth at Ikon Park.
Richmond had all of the momentum within the ultimate quarter, however they have been their very own worst enemy in entrance of purpose. Conti missed a snap shot from 20m out on the run, and shortly after, Caitlin Greiser’s soccer try from the goalsquare went the unsuitable facet of the goalpost.
With seven minutes remaining, Courtney Jones had the possibility to get Richmond inside two factors, however her set shot from simply 15m out went throughout the face of purpose.
Then with two minutes remaining, tall Tiger Poppy Kelly dropped a sitter on the half-back line and from the following turnover, Tuhakaraina marked 40m out from purpose, permitting her to chew up invaluable time when the Tigers ought to’ve been pushing ahead once more.
Richmond had one final roll of the cube with 1:13 remaining, however Gabby Seymour’s deep kick into the ahead line was marked by Fremantle’s Aine Tighe.
Richmond’s strain was fierce all day, as they out-tackled Fremantle 82-59, however the Dockers held sway in clearances (32-25) and contested possessions (117-109).
Tighe was her group’s greatest participant as soon as once more, ending with 19 disposals and a purpose, whereas captain Hayley Miller was additionally influential with 17 touches and a purpose.
For the Tigers, Conti produced one other sensible efficiency that noticed her report 30 possessions (16 contested), 9 tackles and 9 clearances, and he or she was nicely supported by the ever-improving Kate Dempsey, who had 24 disposals.
The loss was compounded for Richmond by Sarah Hosking injuring her hamstring within the ultimate quarter.
TIGERS AMBUSHED
Fremantle acquired off to a barnstorming begin, kicking the primary 4 targets, and made Richmond pay for its early inefficiency up ahead after the hosts led the inside-50s 8-4 at one stage.
From that time, the Dockers had the following 11 ahead entries as their lead stretched to 27 factors late within the second quarter.
And if Gabby O’Sullivan (twice) and Aine Tighe didn’t hit the publish, that lead would’ve been a lot bigger.
Such was Fremantle’s domination of territory that it took the Tigers 11 minutes to enter their ahead 50 for the primary time within the second time period.
“Extraordinarily irritating that we simply didn’t come to play within the first quarter,” Richmond coach Ryan Ferguson stated.
“I don’t suppose we have been working almost laborious sufficient … the comp’s too good to suppose you’ll be able to simply roll out right here, get to quarter-time and be within the recreation should you’re not prepared to do the work.
“They’re hurting as a result of they know we simply didn’t put our greatest foot ahead immediately.”
The shortage of strain on Fremantle’s midfielders was telling and a transformed set shot from Bethany Lynch with 9 seconds remaining within the second time period saved Richmond from the ignominy of a goalless first half.
DOCKERS’ PERFECT START
Miller set the tone early for the Dockers, kicking their first purpose in spectacular style as her fast snap off one step from 35m out, whereas being vigorously pushed off steadiness by Katelyn Cox, floated house.
Three minutes later, Tighe produced an impressive snap shot across the nook from 45m out which snuck house to increase their result in 12 factors.
Jones had the possibility to halt Fremantle’s early momentum on the 13-minute mark of the primary time period, however her snap shot after marking 20m out was horrible and didn’t make the space on the complete earlier than bouncing by for a minor rating.
FREO IN THE FRAME
The consequence enhances Fremantle’s possibilities of a return to the finals, however the Dockers usually are not out of the woods but. With a 3-2 report, they’ll nonetheless most likely should win three of their final 5 matches to qualify, and with heavyweights Melbourne and North Melbourne nonetheless of their run house, in addition to Geelong (away), they nonetheless have the job forward of them.
In the meantime, Richmond (3-2) missed an opportunity to keep up a correspondence with the highest 4 and will discover themselves out of the highest eight by the top of the spherical. They too will doubtless want one other three wins to make the finals, and with fellow top-eight sides Gold Coast, Essendon and Geelong nonetheless to return, they’ll be made to earn it.
Scoreboard
TIGERS 0.1, 1.2, 3.3, 4.6 (30)
DOCKERS 3.0, 4.5, 5.6, 5.7 (37)
LERNER’S BEST
Tigers: Conti, Dempsey, Egan, Greiser, Sheerin, Seymour.
Dockers: Tighe, Miller, Stannett, O’Sullivan, Scanlon, Tuhakaraina, Strom.
GOALS
Tigers: Lynch, Brennan, Jones, Greiser.
Dockers: Tuhakaraina 2, Miller, Tighe, O’Sullivan.
INJURIES
Tigers: S.Hocking (hamstring). Dockers: Roxy Roux changed Ebony Antonio (knee) in Fremantle’s chosen facet.
Umpires: Jankovskis, Laycock, Nippress
Venue: Ikon Park
Demon domination as premiers put league on discover once more
– Brayden Might
Melbourne has powered to one more victory over a fellow finals contender after getting the higher of Geelong by 49 factors.
Whereas the sport was evenly poised on the ultimate break, it was one other Demons quick end which blew the margin out at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night time.
The Demons haven’t conceded a purpose in final quarters this season as they once more underlined why they’re the premiership favorite.
MELBOURNE’S POWERFUL FORWARD LINE
Even within the brief historical past of the competitors, the Demons are constructing a case as having essentially the most highly effective ahead line but. With out key ahead Tayla Harris, who missed with a hamstring damage, Melbourne nonetheless managed to place a powerful rating. Kate Hore continued her spectacular season with 4 targets and 20 disposals whereas Eden Zanker chipped in with a pair. Paxy Paxman was all over the place accumulating 20 disposals and two targets. That trio didn’t simply play inside a 30-metre radius to purpose both, they usually received disposals at half-back. One other spectacular a part of their efficiency was the continual strain when the ball hit the deck inside 50.
MOLONEY IS GOING TO BE A STAR
It was solely Aishling Moloney’s fifth AFLW recreation however she’s already wanting like a seasoned veteran. The Irishwoman completed with three targets in a breakout recreation which ought to have Cats followers excited. Her set shot routine acquired loads of reward from the commentators however her recreation was about a lot extra. The 25-year-old, who arrived simply weeks earlier than the beginning of the season, confirmed smarts in one-on-one contests and is rising earlier than our eyes. It’s thrilling to see the place she’s going to go.
HANKS’ STATURE CONTINUES TO GROW
Tyla Hanks is having some kind of season for the Demons. She was once more on the centre of all the things good for the Dees ending with 20 disposals and a purpose. A key development space in her recreation this season has been the flexibility to drive the ball ahead and once more that was on show.
A LITTLE PIECE OF RANKIN HISTORY
Georgie Rankin’s look for the Cats meant she and her household at the moment are a part of a little bit of historical past. Her nice nice grandfather Teddy performed within the first VFL recreation between Melbourne and Geelong again in spherical two, 1897. Thursday night time’s assembly was the primary time Geelong and Melbourne have confronted off within the AFLW competitors.
CATS 1.0, 2.0, 4.1, 4.1 (25)
DEMONS 2.1, 5.4, 7.5, 11.8 (74)
MAY’S BEST: CATS: Morrison, A. Moloney, D. Moloney, Prespakis, A. McDonald, Bowen. DEMONS: Hanks, Hore, Paxman, Purcell, Zanker, Mithen.
GOALS:CATS: A. Moloney 3, Morrison 1 DEMONS: Hore 4 Paxman, Zanker 2 Homosexual, Hanks, Mithen
UMPIRES: Howard, Mitchell, Pearson.
INJURIES: Nil.
Initially revealed as AFLW round 5: The scores, news from the AFLW week
