CLOSING out Round 2 of the AFL Women’s fixture, Adelaide and Fremantle remained undefeated, whilst the Gold Coast Suns won their first match in two seasons. Here are some of the talking points from the day.

By: Declan Reeve

TALKING POINTS

• Free Kicks galore, breaks AFLW record
• Suns show attacking threat when things click
• West Coast unable to match Gold Coast pressure
• Tara Bohanna clutches up
• Floodgates open in fourth term

Despite looking like a low scoring game early on, an eight-goal final quarter resulted in the West Coast Eagles and Gold Coast Suns match being one of the most fascinating of the round, as the Suns took momentum to kick the final 5 goals of the match with under 10 minutes remaining. The game was hotly contested throughout as both sides stuck in and refused to give the other an inch through the midfield, resulting in plenty of stoppages and tackles, with Gold Coasts’ Charlie Rowbottom gathering a game high 12 tackles to match the congested nature of the match. With scoring opportunities limited, it took until early in the second quarter for the first major to be kicked, coming from an impressive piece of forward pressure provided by Niamh Kelly, forcing the ball to the boundary line where Melissa Caulfield kicked it into the arms of Aisling McCarthy on the goal line.

The Suns did not take long to reply with Jacqui Dupuy earning a holding the ball free kick and slotting it straight through. The final quarter saw an early slather of goals from the Eagles, with the first coming from some nice team play, giving Mikayla Bowen the opportunity to get onto the end of it and open the quarters score sheet, with Kellie Gibson and Maddy Collier following with one each shortly afterwards. It was all Gold Coast from there though, as Kate Surman and Tara Bohanna kicked 5 goals between them in the final 10 minutes to secure a 13 point victory, their first win since Round 6 in 2020, also against the Eagles.

The previously mentioned Surman (13 Disposals, 2 goals) and Bohanna (13 disposals, 5 marks, 3 goals) were crucial in their sides victory, as was Rowbottom (17 disposals, 12 tackles) with her work on the inside and around stoppages in such a tight contest, but the work of Jade Pregelj (10 disposals, 3 marks) and Kalinda Howarth (11 disposals, 5 marks) can not be overstated, with Pregelj being an imposing figure in the defensive half offering an intercepting threat. Ellie Hampson (17 disposals, 7 tackles) was also a handful for the Eagles midfielders around the contest. Dana Hooker (19 disposals) and Emma Swanson (18 disposals, 7 tackles) led the way for the Eagles with their ball winning and ball use crucial to getting their side moving, with Belinda Smith (16 disposals, 5 marks) and Bowen (12 disposals, 8 tackles, 1 goal) also putting in notable efforts around the ground

Round 3 will see the Eagles take on the Crows at Richmonds’ Swinburne Centre on Saturday afternoon, with their stay in Victoria set to last five weeks. Whilst the Suns will host crosstown rivals the Lions at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

By: Elly Kirlis

In a tight, contested match that had a fast comeback from the Kangaroos, Adelaide held on and went on to defeat North Melbourne at Norwood Oval. The Crows came out of the blocks leading 1.1 (7) to 0.2 at quarter time before Adelaide took control in the second and third quarter. The visitors stormed home and had opportunities to cause an upset, a goal nailed by Woodland sealed with win for the Crows to take the win 5.7 (37) to North Melbourne 3.6 (24).

TALKING POINTS

Ashleigh Woodland is having a season to remember

After a strong first game last week, Ashleigh Woodland backed it up with a dominant performance stepping up at key moments, including the sealer goal to win the match for the Crows. Woodland finished with four goals, 13 disposals, 11 kicks, two handballs, seven marks and one tackle, showing why she is a key player up forward.

Crows defensive pressure dangerous to watch

After a tight opening quarter, the Crows were looking to lift the defensive end to another level. They were certainly be happy with making the most of their opportunities resulting in goals. The Kangaroos struggled to find options forward, with the Crows having the ability  to separate and be in front of the opposition, increase their run rate effort and make space. The Crows were able to make the inside 50’s count and be more efficient. When the game was on the line, the Crow back-line stepped up.

Kangaroos had number of opportunities

Whilst the Kangaroos dominated position early in the first quarter, the Kangaroos couldn’t keep up with the Crows work rate and fast ball movement down the field. Whilst spacing the field may be a key issue to address, set shots at goal converting and getting inside 50 North Melbourne will look to address before next week.

Crows youngers stepping up

With the likes of Erin Phillips and the senior players stepping up, the youngsters of the Crows certainly shined with the likes of Stevie-Lee Thompson stepping up ad creating that spark.

Next week sees Adelaide make the travel to Melbourne to face the West Coast Eagles at Swinburne Centre, whilst North Melbourne are back at home, hosting the GWS Giants at Arden Street Oval.

By: Peter Williams

TALKING POINTS

• Fremantle weather storm to overrun GIANTS
• Dockers maximise inside 50s
• Eva stars despite GIANTS midfield overrun
• Ann McMahon kicks first goal
• Dockers’ four-goal second term

Fremantle booted the last five goals of the game to run over the top of GWS GIANTS and win by 32 points at Whitten Oval yesterday. The Dockers and GIANTS traded goals in the first term, with Cora Staunton slotting both for GWS. Whilst the GIANTS brought the heat, the Dockers weathered the storm to slot four second quarter goals and set up the victory. The second half was tight – just one goal was kicked – but the Dockers came through with the 7.10 (52) to 2.8 (20). Alicia Eva‘s performance was memorable in the loss, picking up 26 disposals – 17 contested – eight clearances, three inside 50s and four rebound 50s, whilst Ann McMahon‘s first career goal was just as memorable.

The Dockers had plenty of contributors, with Kiara Bowers having a game-high nine clearances and 12 tackles, as well as 15 touches and an eye-catching goal creating something out of nothing. Hayley Miller (19 disposals, six marks, seven tackles, six inside 50s and a goal) and first-year player Dana East had 11 disposals, eight tackles and a goal in an impressive second game. Ebony Antonio kicked the first goal of the game, whilst Gemma Houghton was the Dockers’ sole multiple goalkicker. Along with Eva, Alyce Parker (19 disposals, three tackles and four clearances), Haneen Zreika (13 disposals, four marks, six tackles and three rebound 50s), Nicola Barr (13 disposals, five tackles and four inside 50s) and Emily Pease (13 disposals, three tackles) all had their moments. The GIANTS will also be sweating on an ankle injury to Rebecca Beeson who went down in the in the first half.

Fremantle take on Richmond at Punt Road on Saturday evening, whilst the GIANTS face North Melbourne on Sunday at Arden Street.

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