ONE premiership contender held firm against a bottom four side, whilst another went down in one of the tightest days of AFL Women’s action this season. Brisbane managed to starve off a determined St Kilda at Trevor Barker Oval and Collingwood proved too good for West Coast in Perth, while Western Bulldogs caused the upset of the season over Adelaide at Norwood, inflicting the Crows’ first defeat of the season.

By: Alyce Collett

After an inaccurate first half, the Brisbane Lions turned things around in the second half to claim a five point win over St Kilda.

In hot and blustery conditions down at Trevor Barker Oval it was the Saints who held a first half lead, but let it all slip away in the second half to go on and lose the match.

TALKING POINTS

St Kilda’s much better start

After a poor start on Tuesday night, St Kilda’s start was anything but yesterday. Although the Saints did not have as many inside 50 opportunities as the Lions, they certainly made the most of their minimal opportunities.

At quarter time the inside 50 count was 11 to five in favour of the Lions, but the score read two goals straight to four behinds in favour of the Saints. What makes the Saints’ start even more impressive was that they were kicking against the wind in the opening term.

Tough conditions making things very difficult for the players

Not only was it rather warm down at Trevor Barker, but it was also blowing a gale, making it less then ideal conditions to be playing a game of football in. It has been warm all weekend in Melbourne, and yesterday afternoon was no different.

In Hampton, it did not drop below 30 degrees for the entire match. It was also blowing a gale down at Trevor Barker, with the wind at times getting as high as 50km an hour.

Brisbane almost equal unwanted record

Although the Lions had plenty of opportunities, Brisbane just could not kick straight for much of the game.

It took until seven minutes into the third term for Brisbane to put a major on the board, but if they hadn’t kicked a goal they would equalled an unwanted record from round one.

In Round 1 they went goalless for three quarters before finally putting a major on the board.

Third quarter was all the difference for Brisbane

They call the third quarter the premiership quarter for a reason, and that was certainly on display by the Brisbane Lions yesterday. This was the quarter they turned the tides on the Saints, and with a three goal to none term really set up the win for them.

They also proved why they are one of the contenders, and why they are never out of the contest.

Another frustrating loss for the Saints

St Kilda will be rueing this loss as much as they would have been after Tuesday’s loss. They had the lead early and were looking good, but let it all slip away in the third term. There will be many questions asked of Nick Dal Santo and his coaching staff, and a lot of frustrated St Kilda left wondering what else can their side do.

NEXT WEEK

St Kilda face Carlton at Ikon Park on Saturday afternoon, while Brisbane don’t even have to wait that long for their next clash, with a QClash awaiting them on Thursday night.

By: Peter Williams

Collingwood bounced back from consecutive losses to premiership contenders Fremantle and Brisbane, to defeat West Coast by 24 points in the Eagles’ first game in the West against a non-Dockers side this season. Despite the Eagles being ultra competitive for the most part, four unanswered goals in the third term sealed the result, with the Magpies winning 7.4 (46) to the Eagles’ 3.4 (22)

TALKING POINTS

Four goals in 10 minutes seals game

There was a very clear turning point in the match and that came midway through the third term, when Aimee Schmidt was lining up to cut teh deficit to just two points at the nine-minute mark. Not looking confident on the set shot, Schmidt’s 25m set shot drifted to the left to make it seven points. Little did anyone know, for all of West Coast’s pressure over the past 30 minutes, it was about to become unstuck.

Chloe Molloy pounced on a goal up the other end after an unfortunate tap off the ground to try and clear the area by an Eagles defender fell in her lap and she made the home side less than 90 seconds after that Schmidt miss. Two 50m penalties and an elite Jordyn Allen kick later, and the Magpies had slotted 4.0 to 0.0 in the final 10 minutes of the quarter. The three quarter time lead stood at an unassailable 31 points, after it looked like the Eagles may well challenge for the lead at the final break.

Injuries and 50m penalties cost Eagles

During that 10-minute period – and just a touch before – Emma Swanson and Grace Kelly both came to the bench for extended periods of time worrying Eagles fans that not only would they be two down, but they might be missing a couple of their most crucial players going forward. Luckily both returned, but then the back-to-back 50m penalties came.

Still only trailing by 13 points after Molloy’s goal, a free kick went to Cann and Niamh Kelly unfortunately handed it back to skipper Swanson on the mark instead of the waiting Cann, forcing the umpire to give away a penalty. Then a stranger one for the encroachment came not long after when Imahra Cameron encroached on Velardo about to take her kick. She too received the 50m penalty and nailed the set shot.

Molloy magic

Though she has had some moments in season 2022, Molloy has not quite been able to replicate the same form she has shown over the journey. Though largely put down to the attention from the opposition, Molloy easily played her best game of the year against the Eagles and looked back to her damaging best.

Kicking the first goal of the game to get the Pies going, Molloy pounced on a loose ball in the third to begin the Pies surge to a winning position. She almost had a third in the final term, but was touched on the goal line. The attempt was no less magic though, with Molloy snatching the ball from an opponent and spinning out of trouble to have the composure to launch towards goal once the spin was completed.

Lambert and Bonnici carve up Eagles

The Magpies star duo was everywhere in the match, combining for 50 disposals and 11 clearances. They took the Eagles midfield to task, and whilst the likes of Dana Hooker and Swanson battled hard, they were on the back foot with Lambert and Bonnici’s determination to drive the ball forward. Bonnici even sealed the deal in the final term with a clever snap around her body waiting outside a stoppage in one of the plays of the day.

Eagles’ 40-minute lockdown

Though the end result might look like an easy win, the Eagles were able to show their defensive prowess by holding the Magpies goalless for 40 minutes. Collingwood kicked two straight in the first 10 minutes with Molloy and then Sophie Alexander converting, but did not kick their third major until Molloy pounced off that loose ball 10 minutes into the third term.

Niamh Kelly racked up 16 disposals, four marks, three clearances and kicked the Eagles first major of the game, with Hooker and Swanson other midfielders that helped to drop back and give the defenders a chop out. Charlotte Thomas was silk across half-back as well, with Belinda Smith also working tirelessly through the four quarters.

NEXT WEEK

Collingwood travels to the Apple Isle to face North Melbourne in the first clash between the sides that will not feature Scott Gowans for either side, whilst the Eagles host Richmond back at Mineral Resouces Park on Saturday night.

By: Elly Kirlis

In an entertaining and one of the upsets of the season, the Western Bulldogs did the unthinkable, beating the in-form Adelaide Crows by a sole point in a nail-biting two minutes of the game. Whilst the Crows stormed home in the second half, the Bulldogs managed to hang on in the end.

TALKING POINTS

Bulldogs rose to the occasion

With the Bulldogs having nothing to lose, losing two key players, the Bulldogs should no doubt be proud of this performance. They came out of the blocks and not allowing the Crows to have any easy chances getting the footy or playing their normal game on their terms.

Bulldogs enjoying their style of footy

Not only the Bulldogs were able to hold on, their pressure in all areas of the ground would no doubt be a pleasing factor. Coming off from COVID for a number of players, the Bulldogs were able to play their style of footy, with players having to play out of position to step up. One category the Bulldogs will be happy about is the disposal efficiency, 74 per cent to 65 percent in the Bulldogs favour. The Bulldogs will no doubt be happy limiting Ebony Marinoff, Anne Hatchard and Erin Phillips‘ touches and involvement in the game.

No panic yet for Crows

Whilst the Crows will be disappointed letting the Bulldogs have a lead, they will no doubt be proud of the fight in the second half getting back into the match. One key message the Crows will look to bounce back and address is finding others, including Marinoff, Hatchard and Phillips, if they are quiet and seeing who else can step up. Whilst the Crows had their first loss, this will be a possible wake up and take away things to work on before next match.

Inaccuracy hurting the Crows

With the Crows having many chances to win, they will no doubt be disappointed, having chances to hit the front and unable to hit set shots at crucial times. Where credit is due, the Bulldogs defensive end made it tough work for the Crows forwards.

Last two minutes of the match

No doubt this will be a match to remember, even one of the games of the season. With both teams giving it their all, the desperation of all 32 players from both teams to get involved, one goal to win the game whilst the Bulldogs looking to add the pressure will certainly have exciting viewing.

With Stevie-Lee Thompson giving the spark for the Crows, the last quarter will be a talking point for quite some time.

NEXT WEEK

Next week sees the Crows looking to bounce back, facing the GWS Giants at Blacktown, whilst for the Bulldogs, they face Geelong at VU Whitten Oval next Friday night.