SUNDAY’S action in the AFLW saw three big wins.

For Richmond and Melbourne, it was the margin that was big. For St Kilda, it was a big win in the context of its season.

By Elly Kirlis

In a game of shifting momentum swings, the Saints came back, after trailing at half time, to defeat Port Adelaide by two points.

The Saints carried momentum in the first quarter, but then Port took control of the game, before the Saints made a comeback of their own, to win in the final stages of the match.

TALKING POINTS

This match was frantic and full of momentum swings

 Both teams will look at this match as a tale of two halves.

The Power were able to dominate the forward 50 and score for majority of the first half, whilst the Saints came out and were then able to win the midfield battle and find some run down the ground.

Stats were mostly even, but not all were

Whilst most game categories were majority even for both sides, including the disposals, clearances, inside 50s, the Power dominated the hitouts count, 40-24.

The Saints will certainly be looking at the first half, kicking 2.6 and wasting opportunities.

Key players stepping up in different stages of the game for the Saints

When the Saints needed a spark and to get into the match, several players stepped up, particularly in the third quarter.

Lucy Burke stepped up in the forward line, out of position and broke the Saints open in the forward 50.

Whilst the likes of Kate Shierlaw, Georgia Patrikios and Bianca Jakobsson played their role, Hannah Priest was pivotal, especially when Olivia Vesely went out of the game with an injury.

Erin Phillips in the ruck? Yes please

As if we have not seen enough of what Erin Phillips can do, she added another string to her bow against the Saints – time in the ruck.

With the Power looking to find a different style of game, Phillips provided the energy in the ruck and made an impact in the match with her presence and versatility.

By Elly Kirlis

Richmond have showed why it is a threat to the rest of the competition, winning their seventh match in a row and comfortably defeating GWS by 43 points in the process.

TALKING POINTS

Tigers consistent throughout the match

Whilst it took a while for Richmond to have momentum in the wet conditions, the Tigers were able to chip away and break the game open, finding flow in their forward line and kick quick consecutive goals.

The Tigers were able to find easy space down the ground better and apply the pressure on the Giants to get any easy possessions of the ball.

Tigers wings dominant

It was a team collective effort throughout the ground, however the Tigers’ wings in Tessa Lavey, Ellie McKenzie and Eilish Sheerin were able to open and spread down the ground and open up opportunities in the midfield and forward line.

What can’t Monique Conti do?

As usual, it was hard to stop Monique Conti and the Giants midfielders/backline struggled to find a way to stop her.

She ultimately finished with 24 touches, three goals and a whopping eight tackles.

More games in Mildura?

Whilst it was wet weather footy in this particular game, both teams embraced the opportunity to go to a ground that hasn’t seen much footy around the region. With the ground looking sharp and the community out in force, no doubt more games should be played more in Mildura/country communities in the future, with the crowd turning out despite the conditions.