IN a huge Saturday of action, the three favourites won their respective AFL Women’s matches. Here are the Saturday Talking Points from the games.

By: Elly Kirlis

It was a tight contested first quarter by both teams, with Adelaide showing their dominance for the rest of the three quarter and took away the four points, holding the Eagles to a single goal for the whole match, remaining undefeated in season 20222, winning by 33 points at Swinburne Centre, Crows 6.6 (42) to the Eagles 1.3 (9).

TALKING POINTS

Undefeated Crows have more to come

Despite the Crows midfielder Anne Hatchard unable to finish the game due to a foot injury, the Crows were tested in the first quarter, however, their experience showed with key leaders stepping up, with the likes of Eloise Jones, Erin Phillips, Ebony Marinoff and Sarah Allan, as well as everyone else playing their part across the field. Ashleigh Woodland continued her strong dominance up forward, finishing with two goals, four disposals, four kicks, one mark and one tackle. Whilst being challenged, the Crows stepped up and were sharp on their ball movement patiently, continuously being an option spreading out and coming forward to add the pressure.

Eloise Jones continuing to be a force

Jones was a star for the Crows throughout the match, playing her role in the wing and the ability to use her speed and agility to run all day. Jones finished the game with one goal, eight disposals, seven kicks, two marks and one handball, but her presence was a key factor and creating the energy from the start of the match to the end and scoring a goal towards the end of the third quarter.

Eagles struggled to find spark

Whilst showing good signs and showing the fight early in the first quarter, the Eagles struggled to find the consistently for the rest of the match, struggling to find momentum and finding scoring targets up forward. Whilst the Crows were dominant in disposals, 211 to 182 in favour of the Crows, marks inside 50 is an area of concern, with the Crows strong in that category, nine to two. Inside 50’s were also in favour of the Crows, 34 to 21.

NEXT WEEK

Adelaide host Melbourne next week on Saturday, January 29 from 1:10pm at Norwood Park, in what would be a blockbuster top four clash, whilst Eagles travel to Trevor Barker Beach Oval, to face St Kilda at 3:10pm on Saturday.

By: Alyce Collett

After a very congested, very tight first three quarters, Melbourne really ran away with things in the last quarter to win by 41 points.

TALKING POINTS

Underestimate the Saints at your own peril

After underperforming in the opening fortnight of the season, St Kilda really took it to the Dees for most of the afternoon. They matched it with the much more experienced Dees for three quarters, even drawing level at the final break, before the Dees blew the contest wide open.

Melbourne are proving they really can handle anything thrown at them

Melbourne once again proved why they are one of the title contenders this season. Not only did they give up an early lead again, but they had to contend with relentless pressure for much of the afternoon. Thrown in the heat factor as well (it was well over 30 degrees out at Casey) and that is a lot to contend with in one match.

Very congested football

For much of the first three quarters, the football was very congested, and very tight. Not many easy disposals to be had at all. But once things started to open up a bit, that’s when the Dees really got on top so this might be a clue as to what the Saints need to do moving forward to finally get some wins on the board.

Has Tayla Harris finally found her true home?

Tayla Harris had arguably her best game in red and blue so far in round 3, and so arguably her best in a long time in the AFLW. She may have only had the eight touches, but she kicked three goals and provided a valuable tall and strong marking target in the Dees forward line. She also crunched through packs across the ground, and really made her presence felt during the game.

Eliza West – hidden gem perhaps?

In just her third game of AFLW and plucked from relative obscurity, Eliza West proved she belonged at AFLW level this weekend. She grabbed 13 touches, and was absolutely everywhere, darting in and out of packs and providing a valuable option to teammates. Although too old for a potential Rising Star nomination, she may still prove to be a sneaky diamond in the rough for the Dees this season.  

NEXT WEEK

Melbourne heads to Adelaide to face the Crows, while the Saints host the Eagles at Trevor Barker oval.

By: Elly Kirlis

Tigers continued to show the fight

Despite being outclassed in the last quarter, the Tigers should certainly be proud for showing the determination for three quarters of the game. The Tigers faced a major blow losing co-captain Harriet Cordner, with the possibility of an ACL injury in the secondary quarter. The Tigers will no doubt be disappointed with the last quarter but they will no doubt continue to push and challenge teams. There were positives with Sophie Molan and Emelia Yassir kicking their first AFLW goals.

Kiara Bowers’ starring game

Kiara Bowers continued her dominant start to the 2022 season and certainly teams will have problems and how to limit her touches. From the start, Bowers got herself into the game in the midfield setting up her team were and the Tigers had no answers how to stop her, finishing the game with 28 disposals, 24 kicks, four handballs, two marks and 16 tackles and no doubt will possibly be up there for the best and fairest.

Dockers will be a force to reckoned with

With the unknowns waiting to hear what’s happening for the rest of the season, the Dockers will no double be proud of this win. No matter what happens and the Dockers stay on the road from here, picking up more wins and being consistent will be key. With plenty of distractions off the field, staying on task and staying together as a team will be something they will address.

Monique Conti continues doing what she does best

Monique Conti was a shining highlight for the Tigers, giving the spark the Tigers needed throughout the game and getting plenty of hands on ball and the speed down the ground. Conti will no doubt continue to be unstoppable and play her role, finishing the game with 22 disposals, 13 kicks, nine handballs, three marks and four tackles

NEXT WEEK:

In Round 4, Richmond takes on the Gold Coast Suns next week Friday, pending COVID protocols whilst Fremantle face Collingwood next week Sunday in a blockbuster top four clash at Victoria Park.