ROUND 3 of the AFL Women’s saw a number of history-making performances, especially St Kilda with the team from Moorabbin claiming their inaugural win while top of the table clashes lived up to the hype. These are the remaining six game reviews after our Match of the Round – selected prior to the weekend – saw Adelaide down Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

ST KILDA 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.1 (19)
MELBOURNE 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.8 (14)

It was a history-making performance by the Saints claiming their inaugural AFLW win and stunning the Demons in the meantime. It was a low scoring game with both sides struggling to generate any forward momentum but when it came down to it youngster Caitlin Greiser sealed the deal with a booming kick 55 metres out. Despite the wealth of experience and talent across the field the Saints were not overawed competing hard at every contest and using their dash to find space and create forward forays. Inaccuracy plagued Melbourne who had five more scoring shots than their opponents but could simply not convert in front of the big sticks with eight behinds compared to St Kilda’s one. St Kilda showed just what they are capable of, keeping the Dees scoreless in the final term while they inflicted pain on the scoreboard.

The Saints were once again led by their young talent with talented midfielder Georgia Patrikios dominating. Patrikios won plenty of the footy with 15 possessions and most importantly used it in convincing fashion finding targets and putting her body on the line at contests racking up four tackles while the likes of Tarni White and Nicola Xenos plied their trade across the ground. Olivia Vesley proved she was no slouch tracking the ball well both at ground level and in the air with her equal-high 16 touches as the 20-year-old highlighted her class and finesse. Co-captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd was in scintillating form racking up 16 disposals, fighting hard for every touch and showcased her strong hands with three marks to her name. Nat Exon was a tackling machine applying a wealth of strong physical pressure thanks to her seven tackles with teammate Rosie Dillon equalling her on that tally and going to work with 16 touches of her own. But it was Greiser that stole the show with the 21-year-old sensing the moment and landing the knock-out blow to end any hopes of a Melbourne comeback.

It was a tough night for Melbourne who failed to bring their normal intensity and most importantly kicking boots right from the get go. In the opening quarter the Demons had plenty of momentum peppering the goals but struggled to effectively hit the scoreboard with the likes of normal sharp shooters Aliesha Newman and Tegan Cunningham missing out on the goal scoring action. Despite the loss, the trio in Karen Paxman, Elise O’Dea and Daisy Pearce combined to be a formidable force with Paxman taking home the title of most possessions in the game with 26. O’Dea was not far behind with 20 but did not worry the scoreboard in fact the only player to slot one through for six points was Shelley Scott. Both Libby Birch and Maddison Gay also found their fair share of the footy but it was not enough to change the end result.

GOALS:

St Kilda: C. Greiser (2), D. Guttridge.
Melbourne: S. Scott.

BESTS:

St Kilda: C. Greiser, T. Lucas-Rodd, G. Patrikios, O. Vesley,
Melbourne: K. Paxman, E. O’Dea, D. Pearce, S. Scott

—

GOLD COAST 0.0 | 2.0 | 3.1 | 4.4 (28)
BRISBANE 2.0 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.4 (28)

In the first of many Q-Clashes, Gold Coast played host to Brisbane on Saturday with the duel ending in a stalemate with both sides unable to be split at 28 points apiece. Although they snuck out to an early lead, the SUNS showed that they were not about to bow down to their more experienced opponent mustering up a stellar second half performance. The SUNS upped the intensity across the field limiting the Lions to a mere one point after halftime highlighting just how dangerous they can be.

After a slow start, the hosts well and truly built into the game with the likes of Kate Surman and Jaime Stanton controlling and winning a heap of possession. Surman finished the afternoon with 16 touches to her name while Stanton was one behind with 15. Hannah Dunn had a strong outing for the Suns amassing 15 touches of which nine were kicks while her physical pressure was up and about laying a team-high six tackles. When it came to scoreboard pressure there was one main go to girl and that was Kalinda Howarth. The SUNS star clunked just about everything that came her way but most importantly was accurate in front of the big sticks walking away with a bag of three while Brittany Perry rounded out the other scorers for Gold Coast.

Emily Bates once again stood strong for the Lions recording her second consecutive week with 20 or more possessions to her name thanks to a 24-touch disposal game. she was clean with ball in hand able to spot up a target and deliver. Not far behind her was teammate Ally Anderson who displayed her go-get-it attitude with 22 points while both Kate Lutkins and Lauren Arnell used their fire in the belly to win the footy at the coalface. Up forward Sophie Conway provided plenty of attacking prowess slotting an important goal and showcasing her intense defensive pressure with seven tackles. Along with Conway, Rheanne Lugg proved to be a handy target up forward slotting two majors for the Lions to keep them in the hunt. After a blinder last week, Jesse Wardlaw left her mark on the game once again albeit with one major but still provided a strong target.

GOALS:

Gold Coast: K. Howarth 3, B. Perry.
Brisbane: R. Lugg, J. Wardlaw, S. Conway.

BESTS:

Gold Coast: K. Howarth, K. Surman, J. Stanton, H. Dunn
Brisbane: E. Bates, K. Lutkins, A. Anderson, S. Conway

—

WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.0 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 4.6 (30)
CARLTON 3.1 | 3.1 | 5.3 | 8.3 (51)

Carlton hit back in serious fashion against the Bulldogs claiming a 21-point victory over the 2018 premiers. The Blues raced out of the gates piling on three goals to one in the opening term and did not look back continuing to extend the margin and make the most of their opportunities in the forward 50. On the other hand the Dogs struggled to combat the offensive pressure of the Blues with the footy camped inside Carlton’s forward 50 for large chunks of time and not allowing the ball to leave the vicinity credit to their tenacity and intensity. It was a complete performance from the girls in navy blue with their physical pressure on full display winning the tackle count 57 to 52 along with disposals 223 to 190.

After some fiery post-match comments following Carlton’s loss to Collingwood, forward Tayla Harris found her groove once again and inflicted some scoreboard pain slotting through a major while also taking a couple of handy marks throughout the game. Although Harris is the normal go to girl in the attacking 50 Georgia Gee elevated her game in the contest against the Dogs bagging three majors to go with her eight disposals. She was a real livewire in attack showcasing her strong goal sense and high footy IQ while Darcy Vescio also bobbed up for a timely goal. Maddy Prespakis continued her merry way collecting 24 touches for her efforts through the midfield along with six tackles showing just how much of a force she is. She was ably assisted by the likes of Grace Egan who managed 15 disposals along with Gabriella Pound while Lucy McEvoy slotted her first AFLW goal.

Although it was not the outcome they would have hoped for the Western Bulldogs still had some strong performances from the likes of captain Ellie Blackburn and Aisling McCarthy. The two proved to be ball magnets throughout the match with Blackburn racking up 20 touches while McCarthy chimed in with 16 of her own. Former Western Jet, Elisabeth Georgostathis slotted her first AFLW goal in the loss with fellow draftee and number one pick, Gabby Newton really showcasing her talent and class with 14 touches and four tackles. The scoring load was relatively well spread across the side with Bonnie Toogood managing a major while Kirsten McLeod and Kirsty Lamb nailed a goal apiece as well but they could not muster up enough shots on goal to really trouble the Blues.

GOALS:

Carlton: G. Gee 3, T. Harris, D. Vescio, L. Brazzale, L. McEvoy, N. Stevens.
Western Bulldogs: E. Georgostathis, K. Lamb, K. McLeod, B. Toogood.

BESTS:

Carlton: M. Prespakis, G. Gee, G. Egan, T. Harris,
Western Bulldogs: E. Blackburn, G. Newton, A. McCarthy, K. McLeod

—

FREMANTLE 3.0 | 3.0 | 5.2 | 5.3 (33)
COLLINGWOOD 1.1 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 (30)

In a top of the table clash, Fremantle pipped the Pies at the post claiming a narrow three-point victory to all but sow-up prime position on the ladder. In true first versus second fashion the lead ebbed and flowed with Fremantle claiming early ascendancy despite Collingwood owning possession deep inside 50 but failing to convert. The Dockers opened up a two goal lead heading into quarter time before the Pies hit back in the second to get it back to a level playing field and in fact go five points up. Collingwood had the chance to blow the Dockers away in the second piling on two goals and five points but inaccuracy kept Fremantle in the game and ultimately cost the Pies the four points. With pressure building inside the final minutes of the fourth quarter Collingwood seemed to have all the chances in the world with Britt Bonicci gifted two possibilities that went astray.

It was a strong effort by the Pies who well and truly brought their a-game but fell short when it counted. Jaimee Lambert seemed to have the ball on a string in the opening half collecting a staggering 21 possession to half-time before finishing the match with 32 to her name. Lambert was in scintillating form laying eight tackles and nailing a goal while Sarah Rowe upped the ante for the Pies racking up 22 touches. After being sidelined with injury last week Bri Davey made her way back into the squad and showed why she is such a strong force laying six tackles and gathering 18 disposals while cross-coder Ash Brazill continued her merry way across the back half with 17 touches and two marks. Sharni Layton hit the scoreboard once again for the Pies with Aishling Sheridan also showing her class in front of the big sticks with an important major.

Although there was no key standout player for the Dockers it was the even contribution from a host of players that got them over the line. 24-year-old Hayley Miller recorded a team-high 13 touches, 11 of which were kicks while Philipa Seth also plied her trade in her third game for the season with 12 touches. It is hard to go past Kiara Bowers’ performance with her physicality, the focal point of her outing against the Pies with a whopping game high 14 tackles showcasing her hunt and aggression for the footy. Both Ebony and Kara Antonio had quiet games compared to their usual standards but still played their role with Ebony slotting a timely major. Youngster Roxy Roux also continued where she left off with a goal and four tackles.

GOALS:

Fremantle: R. Roux, E. Antonio, G. O’Sullivan, K. Flood, A. Sharp.
Collingwood: A. Sheridan, J. Lambert, S. Layton, J. Membrey.

BESTS:

Fremantle: K. Bowers, H. Miller, P. Seth, R. Roux
Collingwood: J. Lambert, S. Rowe, B. Davey, B. Bonicci, A. Brazill

—

GWS GIANTS 1.1 | 3.2 | 5.4 | 6.6 (42)
WEST COAST EAGLES 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.2 (14)

The Giants well and truly took control of the game from the opening bounce denying the Eagles any chance to generate scoring momentum or get a feel for the footy. GWS kept West Coast scoreless for the opening three quarters highlighting their strong defensive pressure and in turn ability attacking style to get the scoreboard ticking over. It was a tough day for West Coast who simply had no answers for anything the experienced Giants side threw at them, gifting the Eagles their third straight loss.

Rebecca Privitelli had a game to remember, with the former Carlton player well and truly leaving her mark on the game with three majors and first goal in Giants colours. Privitelli showcased her class and goal sense while the reliable Cora Staunton also hit the scoreboard with a goal of her own in her sides win. Rebecca Beeson proved to be a real ball magnet popping up everywhere across the field and dishing off effectively for her 18 touches while in her second season 19-year-old Alyce Parker led the stats column in disposals with 22. New captain, Alicia Eva has gone from strength to strength throughout 2020 and that continued with another complete performance of seven tackles and 14 possessions.

For the Eagles, captain Dana Hooker had an absolute blinder racking up a game-high 23 touches while also showcasing her strength in the air with four marks and an impressive eight tackles highlighting her commitment. Emma Swanson was not far behind with 19 touches using her strong kick to advantage with 15 of her 19 touches coming off her boot. Mikayla Bowen opened up the Eagles account with the first goal in the fourth quarter while livewire Imahara Cameron chimed in moments later to put through her first and her sides second.

GOALS:

GWS Giants: R. Privitelli (3), C. Staunton, J. Barclay, H. Zreika.
West Coast Eagles: I. Cameron, M. Bowen.

BESTS:

GWS Giants: R. Privitelli, A. Eva, A. Parker, R. Beeson
West Coast Eagles: D. Hooker, E. Swanson, M. Bowen

—

RICHMOND 0.3 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 2.8 (20)
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.0 | 7.2 | 9.3 | 12.4 (76)

North Melbourne completely dismantled the Tigers handing them a whopping 56-point drubbing. There is no denying that Richmond had its chances with more scoring shots in the first quarter but simply could not convert gifting the Kangaroos an early lead, one they continued to build on as the game went on. North looked like a well-oiled machine out on the field hitting up targets with ease and most importantly applying a truckload of pressure to limit the Tigers ability to control the footy and run rampant themselves. The Roos handed Richmond its third straight loss and are staring down the barrel of a winless season if the Tigers do not start to kick into gear.

In a difficult outing, star recruit Monique Conti shone bright with 18 touches and six tackles but missed her opportunity to pile on some scoreboard pain much like captain Katie Brennan who had her fair share of chances to change the tune of the game finishing with 1.2. Brennan could have a big day with three shots at goal and only converting one but found plenty of the footy recording 14 disposals just behind Conti. Both Kodi Jacques and Phoebe Monahan plied their trade recording 12 touches and two tackles apiece in what was a solid performance. Forward Sabrina Frederick had her moments of magic securing a much needed goal and collecting seven touches but will be hoping to increase her volume in the coming rounds.

It was a different tale for the Roos who had a plethora of star players step up to the plate and dominate none bigger than Emma Kearney who found herself doing a wealth of damage on the scoreboard with three majors. Add on her 12 touches and three tackles and Kearney had a strong showing in the blue and white while Ash Riddell claimed top spot in the possessions column with 21 while Jenna Bruton was hot on her heels with 16 of her own. Kearney was not the only one to have a day out in front of goal with Kaitlyn Ashmore walking away with a nice bag of three while Daisy Bateman also managed two goals showcasing the diversity they have inside the forward 50.  Jasmine Garner showed her worth once again with a goal and 16 disposals while Kate Gillespie-Jones also made a lasting impact with 13 touches and a major.

GOALS:

Richmond: K. Brennan, S. Traub.
North Melbourne: E. Kearney 3, K. Ashmore 3, A. Green 2, D, Bateman 2, K. Gillespie-Jones, J. Garner.

BESTS

Richmond: M. Conti, K. Brennan, G. Campbell, P. Monahan, K. Jacques.
North Melbourne: E. Kearney, J. Garner, A. Riddell, K. Ashmore, J. Bruton