THERE was plenty to like about the AFL Women’s action on Saturday, with three games taking place across two states. North Melbourne battled at Arden Street to overcome a determined Geelong outfit by eight points, before Melbourne proved too good for the Western Bulldogs at Arden Street. In the last game, Fremantle reversed the result of the practice match result against West Coast in the Derby.

TALKING POINTS

• Ash Riddell dominates
• Both sides are skilful
• Inaccuracy costs Cats
• Roos dominate possession
• Georgie Prespakis has memorable debut

The Kangaroos might have taken home the four points, but there was plenty to like from both sides. The Roos dominated possession and the hitouts as expected, but the Cats had plenty of chances themselves. Georgie Prespakis stood up under the hype of a highly-anticipated debut to rack up 20 touches, seven clearances, five inside 50s and six tackles. The depth of the Roos midfield was just too strong, with Ash Riddell domianting and taking home the three votes with a 35-disposal, seven-clearance six-tackle and six-inside 50 game. Jenna Bruton, Jasmine Garner and Kaitlyn Ashmore also won plenty of the ball.

In the end, both sides had eight scoring shots, but the Roos kicked 4.2 to the Cats’ 2.6 and the goalless first half hurt the visitors. The teams both ran greater than 65 per cent with their disposal all night, and whilst it was not a high-scoring match, the debutants aside from Prespakis also impressed. Jasmine Ferguson took five marks and had 12 disposals in her first elite level match, while Zali Friswell and Olivia Fuller both had the 10 disposals.

Next week the Cats host the Dogs at GMHBA Stadium, whilst the Roos travel to Norwood Oval to take on the Crows.

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TALKING POINTS

• Dees delight early in front of goal
• Isabel Huntington goes down with knee injury
• Melbourne misfires in second term
• Dogs unforced turnovers prove costly
• Ellie Blackburn stars to no avail

Melbourne kick-started its year off in the best possible way with an impressive win over the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval. From booing back-to-back goals midway throuh the first term to Casey Sherriff and Maddison Gay, the Dees always looked in control. When Isabel Huntington kicked the Dogs’ first in the second quarter they trailed by 11 points, but the Dees would control most of the momentum. It could have been a lot worse for the home side as the Dees booted 1.6 in the second quarter, which would have ended the contest at half-time. The Dogs had a sniff early in the second half with the first 2.2 on the board through Bonnie Toogood and Ellie Blackburn to cut the deficit to the game-low of nine points. From that point though, the Dees booted the whilst two goals of the game to win by four goals, 6.10 (46) to 3.4 (22).

The biggest dampener of the night by far was the knee injury to Huntington, with the gun key position talent having had anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage in the past. Outside the shattering news, the Dogs had far too many unforced turnovers for the match which proved costly, and despite Blackburn having an outstanding match, she could not lift her side again. The Dees had even contributions across the board with Eden Zanker doing it all thanks to 20 touches, four marks four tackles, four clearances, five inside 50s and a goal, as Kate Hore slotted two majors. Against her old side Libby Birch also stood tall with 18 touches, four marks and four rebounds, whilst Tyla Hanks laid 10 tackles to go with 17 touches. Kirsty Lamb, Brooke Lochland and Elisabeth Georgostathis were the others to impress for the Dogs.

Next week the Demons take on the Tigers at Punt Road on Friday night, whilst the Dogs head down the highway to face the Cats on Saturday night.

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TALKING POINTS

• Dockers run away with it in the last quarter
• Eagles cleaner despite Dockers pressure
• Dockers’ half-dozen debuts
• Ebony Antonio puts on a forward masterclass
• Eagles promising third term

After going down to the Eagles a couple of weeks ago following a slow start, the Dockers were determined to start strong. Though they did not get their first goal until late in the first, they absorbed the Eagles early pressure and then booted the first three goals of the game. Ebony Antonio‘s first major to get them started was an absolute gem from the pocket and the leading Goal of the Year Round 1 contender. She went onto kick three for the match, as one of the clear best.

The Eagles used the ball better than the Dockers, and came back in the second term thanks to some nice wheels from recruit Aimee Schmidt, and an animated Emma Swanson. Despite trailing by just five points early in the fourth term, the Dockers put the foot down to slam home the last three goals of the match, booting 3.5 to 0.0 in what could have been an even bigger final margin. Emma O’Driscoll ran into an open goal and hit the post, and scoring machine Gemma Houghton booted three behinds for the match.

The Eagles were superbly led by Swanson (23 disposals, six clearances and six tackles) with Mikayla Bowen, and defenders Belinda Smith and Evie Gooch strong in defence, the latter against her former side. The Dockers had six debutants on the evening with Airlie Runnalls (14 disposals) the standout whilst Kiara Bowers was her usual self with 24 disposals, 14 tackles and six clearances. Gabby O’Sullivan and Hayley Miller combined for 33 disposals, 11 clearances and three goals, with O’Sullivan’s from just inside 50.

Both sides hit the road next week to travel to Whitten Oval as the Eagles take on the Gold Coast Suns, and the Dockers face GWS GIANTS in a massive double-header.

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