AFTER being told to reduce its Adelaide-based AFLW players, the NT Thunder experienced its first loss of the season. Meanwhile, Collingwood capitalised on this loss at Warrawee Park, defeating Carlton by 25 points. Hawthorn too, got a big win against traditional rivals, Essendon, making for a very tight squeeze in the top four of the Victorian Football League (VFL) Women’s ladder.

Southern Saints 6.2.38 defeated NT Thunder 2.6.18

By: Peter Williams

If you had said at the start of the season the side without any AFL Women’s players would topple the premiership favourite, littered with Adelaide superstars, you would have been in the minority, but that is exactly what happened on the weekend. The Southern Saints, on the back of some sterling performances from their TAC Cup Girls contingent, were too quick and slick for the Thunder, who were missing a number of their top players after an AFL Victoria ruling asked them to restrict the South Australian based players. It was the first loss the NT Thunder has had this season, with the Southern Saints piling on three last quarter goals to claim the 20-point victory.

Tara Bohanna booted three goals, but it was the work of Lauren Arnell (19 disposals, two marks, six tackles and one goal) and Kayla Ripari (14 disposals, one mark and two tackles) who played selfless roles, using experience and strength to trouble the Thunder defence. Shelley Heath was superb on debut for the Saints, making the most of her 11 disposals, but more importantly, six tackles. Courtney Jones and Gabriella De Angelis also had cameo’s throughout the game, while Charlotte Wilson played a steady defensive game in the back half. Alison Drennan played another four quarter game with 21 disposals and 13 tackles. Eleanor Brown also had a solid 12 disposals and four tackles in the win.

For the visitors, Angela Foley had the ball on a string with 26 disposals, five marks and three tackles, while Emma Swanson picked up 17 disposals, one mark and laid six tackles. Jess Sedunary was strong down forward, laying eight tackles and booting a goal from 10 disposals, while Jess Allan was vital in the ruck. Sarah Allan and Katie Streader were other important players for NT.

Collingwood 8.4.52 defeated Carlton 2.5.17

Collingwood continued its undefeated streak and in the process continued Carlton’s winless streak. The two traditional rivals went head-to-head at Warrawee Park, where the Magpies led at every change and kept the Blues goalless up until three quarter time.

Oakleigh Chargers forward, Daisy Bateman shone on her TAC Cup Girls home ground, kicking two goals. She was the only multiple goal scorer for the day and took her goal kicking season tally to five goals from two games in the black and white. Captain, Jessica Edwards played her best game for the Pies, racking up 23 disposals, four marks and 11 tackles. She was complemented by former Calder Cannon, Chloe Molloy, who kicked a goal to go along with her 20 disposals.

Katelyn Cox was the shining light for the Blues, with a goal, 19 disposals and five marks next to her name. Vic Country representative, Tyla Hanks was also a solid contributor, racking up 14 disposals and laying seven tackles in her second game for Carlton. Fellow TAC Cup Girls player and Northern Knights captain, Maddy Brancatisano amassed seven disposals.

Casey Demons vs. Western Bulldogs

By: Peter Williams 

The Western Bulldogs recorded their second win in a row, but not without a scare, holding on against the Casey Demons to win by just three points. The Dogs had all the ascendancy late in the third term, but the Demons booted the final two goals of the game to force the visitors on the back foot and start to worry about what had looked to be an assured four points. With the inclement weather and the fading light posing extra challenges for the players, both sides produced a hard fought slog from which the Bulldogs will be happy to bank the four points.

Brooke Lochland was absolutely sensational for the Bulldogs, racking up 25 disposals, five marks and booting 1.2, but most importantly laying a whopping 13 tackles, stopping her opponents in their tracks. Hayley Wildes was equally as important, notching up 24 disposals, one mark and five tackles while also slotting an important goal. Libby Birch had 18 disposals, four marks and six tackles coming out of the back half, while Kirsten McLeod was the one multiple goal scorer on the ground with two majors.

For the Demons, Katherine Smith was the best with 26 disposals, one mark, six tackles and a goal, while Casey Sheriff was inspirational on the inside with 19 disposals, three marks and five tackles. Harriet Cordner was strong in attack with 14 touches, three marks and a goal, while Aliesha Newman (13 disposals, five tackles and a goal) and Eden Zanker (15 disposals, two marks, three tackles and two behinds) were other important forwards. Darcy Guttridge provided some great run off half-back for the Demons, amassing 16 disposals on the night.

Melbourne Uni 6.3.39 defeated by Darebin 7.9.51

Two female football powerhouses went head-to-head at Hamilton to play out their annual Pride Match. After both teams came off a loss last week, it was Darebin who was able to bounce back, winning by 12 points.

This was largely thanks to three goals from Hannah Mouncey, as she bounced back from being held goalless against Geelong last week. Former Northern Knight, Maddy Guerin also had an impressive performance, guiding her team to a win. She was complemented by Annalyse Lister, Shree Fairchild, Lauren Jacobs and former Carlton player, Kate Shierlaw.

Vic Metro and Calder Cannons captain, Madison Prespakis shone in her second game for the Mugars, scoring a goal and being named best on ground by her coaches. She did this amongst AFLW stars such as Emma Kearney, Kate Gillespie-Jones and Jasmine Grierson, who were also named in the best. Asha Price was Melbourne Uni’s only multiple goal scorer, and was complemented by Katie Angelis and Airlie Runnalls who also got on the board.

Hawthorn 5.11.41 defeated Essendon 2.1.13

After scoring a goal in the first 20 seconds of the match, Hawthorn never looked back, leading at every change. Essendon applied great pressure throughout the game to cause inaccuracy, but it wasn’t enough as the Bombers couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard.

It was the debutants who led the way for the Hawks, as Greater Western Sydney (GWS) forward, Rebecca Beeson and Eastern Ranges duo, Emerson Woods and Mikala Cann all had solid performances. Beeson was the leading disposal-getter on the ground, racking up 24 touches and taking five marks. Cann was able to get on the scoreboard with a goal and amassed 21 disposals, complementing this with a whopping 10 tackles. Teammate, Woods also kicked a goal, as well as racking up 13 disposals and taking four marks.

For the Bombers, it was GWS midfielder, Maddy Collier who led the way, as she racked up 17 disposals, four marks and six tackles. Hayley Bullas also got a lot of the ball, accumulating 17 disposals and backing up her 18 tackles last week with five at Box Hill. Defender, Jessica Trend was also impressive as she wandered up forward for a goal and amassed 13 disposals.