TWO of the main title contenders emerged by defeating premiership rivals, with Adelaide and Melbourne getting the job done against Fremantle and North Melbourne respectively. In the other game, Geelong grabbed another win, this time against Richmond

By: Elly Kirlis

In an entertaining match with everything on the line, the Adelaide Crows locked up a finals spot with a nine-point win over Fremantle (25-16).

TALKING POINTS

Crows’ response after half-time

With the first half going the way of the Fremantle Dockers, the Crows were able to lift the intensity after half-time, dominating the inside 50s, 10-2 and forcing the Dockers into uncharacteristic mistakes at crucial times of the game. With the Crows finishing strongly, Adelaide should be given credit for not giving up and staying composed.

Hatchard and Marinoff on song in the midfield, Ponter stepping up

With the midfield battle a must watch throughout the match, Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff continued their blinder seasons and beating Fremantle in the middle, with Hatchard finishing  with 31 disposals, 20 kicks, 11 handballs, eight marks and three tackles, whilst Marinoff finished with 30 disposals, 17 kicks, 13 handballs, four marks and six tackles and applying the pressure when the Crows needed something. Their work rate is something the Crows will need for the rest of the season and going into the finals series.

Another key standout for the Crows is Danielle Ponter, playing her role well and did her part in the absence of Erin Phillips. The way Ponter was a force in the forward attack will be something the Crows should continue to do, especially the spark she was able to provide and converting set shots.

Crows inaccuracy may hurt down the track

Whilst the Crows have been efficient inside 50, the Crows will no doubt look to address their scoring at goal but could come costly down the track and could be pivotal not being able to put away teams.

Second half horror for the Dockers

Whilst the Dockers looked set to lock in a win at home, the Dockers will no doubt be disappointed letting the game slip after half-time. Whilst the Crows were lively in the third quarter, Fremantle had no answers with the Crows making changes. The Dockers midfield will no doubt look to address being able to continue to keep up and cleaning up mistakes.

Dockers’ effort

Whilst it jhas been a challenging season, being on the road and finals around the corner,  the Dockers will certainly be disappointed coming out flat and not keeping up with the Crows after a promising first half. A big stat the Dockers will address the inside 50, 43-17. With another tough matchup next week, the Dockers must find that style of footy they were so good at earlier in the season.

NEXT WEEK

Fremantle will face Melbourne at Optus Stadium, in what could confirm how the top four could shape up, whilst Adelaide will face Collingwood at home.

By: Alyce Collett

Out at Punt Road it was the Cats who bounced back from a disappointing loss last week to defeat Richmond by 23 points. The win was set up by an excellent second quarter, when the Cats scored four unanswered goals, eventually winning, 5.3 (33) to 1.4 (10).

TALKING POINTS

Geelong getting some more reward for effort

After showing plenty of moments this year, Geelong were able to put a good four quarter performance on the board and get the reward of the four points. The win was set up by an excellent second quarter, when the Cats scored four unanswered goals.

McWilliams breaking her own records

One Cat who had a great game yesterday was Phoebe McWilliams. She kicked two goals, had 11 touches, three marks, four tackles and even five hitouts. Her two goals yesterday took her season tally up to nine, which is now her highest tally in a season, no matter what happens in the final two rounds. Her previous best was seven in a season, which she kicked in 2017 and 2018. Moving forward, Geelong may want to try and utilise her better because she is such a vital and proven goal kicker.

Richmond the walking wounded

To add sault to the wound, Richmond picked up several injuries as well in yesterday’s loss. Kodi Jacques came off with a lower leg injury, while Tayla Stahl suffered a right knee injury. Only time will tell how serious this injuries are, but Richmond will be certainly hoping they are on the less severe end of the scale if they want to get something out of the end of the season.

What can Geelong take out of the rest of the season?

Despite what has at times been a frustrating season, Geelong has made some serious improvements this season, but also had some frustrating losses. In the last two rounds the Cats have St Kilda and GWS. Two very winnable games, so they can potentially string a few wins together and just try and build some momentum heading into 2022.

What can Richmond take out of the rest of the season?

After a promising start to the season, it has also been a frustrating year for Richmond. The Tigers have only won the two games and lost a few that they should have won.

They have GWS and Collingwood in the last two weeks which is a much harder task then Geelongs. They look to beat GWS but Collingwood is no easy feat. They may just want to build some consistency and momentum as their season draws to a close, and look ahead to 2022 as soon as possible.

NEXT WEEK

Both teams have to travel next week. Geelong come back to Melbourne to play the Saints, while Richmond are off to Sydney to face GWS.

By: Alyce Collett

In a tight, congested tussle befitting of the two teams taking part, it was the Dees who handled the conditions best and defeated the Kangaroos to move into the top two with a 4.3 (27) to 2.5 (17) victory.

TALKING POINTS

Melbourne qualified for the finals

With the win over the Kangaroos, Melbourne officially join Adelaide as the only two teams to have qualified for the 2022 finals. The dees currently sit on 28 points, which although can be beaten by teams currently in the top six, no one outside the current top six can overtake them.The question now for the Dees is where in that top six will they ultimately finish?

Shelley Heath tagging Emma Kearney

It was clear from the opening bounce that Melbourne had recognised how stacked North’s midfield is, and decided to tag Emma Kearney. The player they used to tag her was Shelley Heath, who is not the obvious choice but she was ultimately a good choice. Up to half-time, Kearney only had the seven touches, and only added four more in the second half.

A quiet night for some of North’s stars

Kearney was not the only one to have a quiet night. Although Ash Riddell finished with the 30 touches, Kaitlyn Ashmore only had the five and after not having any touches in the first half, Emma King finished with the four touches and was comfortably beaten in the ruck by Lauren Pearce.

Tahlia Gillard proving she has earned her spot

Although originally recruited as a forward, Tahlia Gillard is fast proving that she her retraining as a defender was a huge success. She was reading the play from behind really well, taking a great mark and making some great spoils too.

With Gabby Colvin due to come back into the side in the coming weeks, Gillard has certainly given coach Mick Stinear a few selection head aches.

The Casey Wind causing havoc

Now the wind of Casey Fields has a reputation for a reason, but last night’s clash saw a particularly blustery wind, which was even stronger then normal. It was causing a lot of havoc, particularly on the grandstand side of the ground, and proved quite the challenge for both sides to overcome.

NEXT WEEK

Melbourne have got their final interstate trip of the season and arguably the most daunting of the lot as they travel to take on Fremantle in WA.

Meanwhile for North, they too have a tough challenge next week as they have to travel to take on Brisbane.