THE penultimate round of the AFL Women’s certainly provided its fair share of surprises, which leaves just one final exciting round to go.

Gold Coast (7.6.48) defeated GWS (2.5.17)

• Gold Coast kept their finals hopes alive with a solid 31 point win over GWS.
• After a slow start from both sides, the Suns kicked away a bit in the second and third terms to take the win.

Melbourne (8.13.61) defeated Fremantle (4.4.28)

• Melbourne locked in a top two spot with a solid 33-point win over the Dockers.
• In particularly windy conditions even for the notoriously windy Casey Fields, the Dees flexed their muscles against a weakened Dockers side.

St Kilda (8.7.55) defeated Brisbane (5.4.34)

• In what was perhaps the upset of the round, St Kilda bounced back from last week’s loss in the biggest way, defeating the Lions by almost four goals.
• The Saints kept the Lions scoreless in the first quarter, which ultimately proved to be the difference.

Essendon (8.8.56) defeated Carlton (3.6.24)

• Essendon kept its top four hopes alive with a crucial win over Carlton.
• A scoreless first half from Carlton really cost them in the end, who are now out of the running for finals.

West Coast (5.6.36) lost to Western Bulldogs (6.8.44)

• The Western Bulldogs are finally on the board in 2023 after a win over West Coast.
• The Bulldogs set up the lead in the second and third quarters, so when the Eagles went on to win the last quarter it did not matter.

Richmond (1.5.11) lost to Geelong (6.13.49)

• Geelong further cemented its finals chances while ending Richmond’s with a strong 38-point win.
• The Cats were a class above the Tigers, who just could not match the the opposition in any way.

Sydney (9.4.58) defeated Collingwood (5.9.39)

• Sydney is on the verge of an inaugural finals campaign after a huge win over Collingwood.
• The Pies’ own finals chances are a bit precarious, with their situation only made worse with a suspected serious injury to Ruby Schleicher.

Adelaide (6.5.41) defeated North Melbourne (5.8.38)

• Adelaide booked its top two spot with a come from behind win over North Melbourne.
• The Roos led until only a minute and a half to go, when one last goal to the Crows ensured they were the ones picking up the chocolates.

Hawthorn (6.4.40) defeated Port Adelaide (5.2.32)

• Hawthorn picked up its third win of 2023 with a hard-fought victory over Port Adelaide.
• Momentum swung both ways all games, but Hawthorn made better use of the wind and its chances to take the win.