HAWTHORN has proved too strong for long-time reigning premiers Collingwood in the VFL Women’s, skipping away to a 19-0 advantage at quarter time and never relenting. Whilst the Magpies hit back in the second half, slotting three goals to two, it would be too little, too late, with the Hawks handing the black and whites their second loss of the season, whilst moving to a 3-1 record themselves.

It was all Hawthorn in the opening term. They were dominating possession, and Collingwood did not even look like scoring. Although no one managed to put any kind of score on the board for at least seven minutes, the Hawks still dominated possession. Three first term goals to Bridget Deed, Lauren Szigeti and Jessie Williams saw the Hawks take a 19 point lead in the first break.

The Hawks were still dominating possession early in the second term, but after Matilda Zander finally got the Pies on the board 11 and a half minutes into the term, it seemed to give the Pies a spark. Even though they did not put anymore score on the board, they kept Hawthorn goalless and the margin was down to 14 at the main break.

A very even third term saw each side score a single goal and by the time the teams turned for home the margin was still 14 points.

The Pies scored an early goal in the last term to bring the margin back to nine points. They then scored another to bring the margin down to three and things started to get exciting again. The Hawks then scored a goal within the next minute to stretch the margin back out to nine. Unfortunately for the Pies they just ran out of time and the Hawks ultimately got an eight point win.

For the victors, Jessie Williams led the way on the scoreboard with two goals, and was really dangerous up forward. In her first game in Hawks colours since being announced as their inaugural AFLW signing, Bridget Deed was really impressive too, finishing with 14 touches and a goal. Skipper and ruck Tamara Luke was also one of Hawthorn’s best, recording an impressive 39 hit outs to go with her 15 touches and was a strong marking presence around the ground.                              

Meanwhile for Collingwood, Marla Neal and Demi Hallett were serious tackling machines. Hallett alone recorded 22 tackles for the match. Caitlin Bunker also had a great game through the middle while Katie Lee was really impressive down back and really kept her side in the match. On debut, Nyakoat Dojiok was seriously impressive. Although only finishing with the six touches, her pace and flare were on full display and is definitely one Pies fans should keep an eye on moving forward.

In other results:

• The Southern Saints continued their record of upsets in the early part of the season, this time defeating the previously undefeated Cats. It was a tight affair for much of the afternoon but the Saints kicked away in the last term and got the win. Hannah Stuart was quite the ball winner for the Southern Saints, finishing with 29 touches, while Renee Saulitis booted three majors. Meanwhile for the Cats, Tamara Smith finished with a whopping 33 touches, while Mia Skinner kicked two majors.

• Casey’s season just keeps on getting better and better, while the Bulldogs’ season just keeps getting worse and worse. The Dees defeated the Bulldogs by 91 points in a very one-sided affair. Brenna Tarrant did her chances of returning to the Dees AFLW side no harm, finishing with 32 touches and a whopping 11 clearances. Tahlia Fellows kicked three majors in the win, while Alison Dowler and Tara Reiter both kicked two. Meanwhile for the Bulldogs it was Lucy Schneider who was their main ball winner with 21 touches.

• In another pretty one sided affair it was the Bombers who kept their undefeated run alive with a 52 point win over Williamstown. Amelia Radford was again a star for the Bombers with 26 touches, while Mia-Rae Clifford and Federica Frew kicked three majors each. Meanwhile for the Seagulls, it was Ruby Tripodi who was their major ball winner with 18 touches.

• The Darebin Falcons got their second win on the board are now only percentage out of the top 6, this time defeating North Melbourne. It was tight for much of the game, but the Falcons kicked away late to really take the win. Angelica Gogos racked up 22 touches in the win for the Falcons, while the goal kickers were all singles to Sabine Cowley Du Parquet, Rachel Hibbert and Emma Mackay. Meanwhile for North, Jess Duffin was everywhere, racking up 27 touches.

• Port Melbourne are finally on the board in 2022, defeating Carlton by 20 points to get their first win on the board for this season. Carlton led early, but it was all the Borough after that. Meg Macdonald racked up the most touches for the Borough with 26, while Amelia Klingbeil led the way for the Blues with 21.