IN many ways Round 10 of the 2023 AFL Women’s season lived up to expectation, with plenty of twists and turns as the home and away season came to a close.

Gold Coast Suns (6.3.39) defeated Essendon (3.7.25)

• Gold Coast booked their spot in their second ever finals campaign after a win over Essendon. The Bombers was then forced into an anxious wait to see if they would also make it, but they eventually were able to also book a spot.
• In humid and tricky conditions, the Suns just proved too strong for the Bombers.

Western Bulldogs (1.3.9) lost to North Melbourne (7.13.55)

• North Melbourne had a strong tune up for finals with a big win over the Western Bulldogs.
• The Kangaroos took a little while to get going, but once they did they were hard to stop.

Port Adelaide (13.10.88) defeated GWS (4.6.30)

• Port Adelaide sent off retiring skipper Erin Phillips in emphatic fashion, comfortably defeating the GWS Giants at Alberton.
• Port was on a mission from the get go, completely outclassing GWS from the opening bounce and not relenting.

Geelong (9.6.60) defeated Hawthorn (3.2.20)

• Geelong confirmed its place in the finals with a crucial win over the Hawks.
• The Cats started slowly, but still kept the Hawks goalless in the first half and built from there.

West Coast (6.9.45) lost to Adelaide (11.5.71)

• Adelaide claimed the minor premiership with what turned out to be a comfortable win over West Coast.
• The teams were tied at quarter time, but Adelaide eventually kicked away to take the win.

Brisbane (8.5.53) defeated Melbourne (4.4.28)

• Brisbane clinched a top four berth with a at times comfortable win over the Dees.
• The Lions came into the clash having clearly done their homework, and beat the Dees at their own game to claim the win.

Carlton (3.8.26) lost to St Kilda (7.4.46)

• St Kilda briefly put themselves in the finals with a win over Carlton, but ultimately did not win by a big enough margin to lock a spot in the postseason.
• Carlton got the better start to this clash, but St Kilda built into the clash to take momentum and ultimately the win.

Collingwood (4.1.25) lost to Richmond (11.11.77)

• Richmond ended Collingwood’s finals hopes with a huge win at Victoria Park.
• In a fiery clash, the Tigers really kicked away in the last term as Collingwood stalled.

Fremantle (2.6.18) lost to Sydney (5.10.40)

• Sydney booked its spot in an inaugural finals campaign with a hard fought win over Fremantle.
• The Dockers matched it with the Swans early, but in the end the Swans proved to be too strong.