A BUMPER four-game Sunday of AFL Women’s action saw a couple of top six sides flex their muscle, and those just outside the finals running drop crucial points. We run through some of the key talking points to come out of all four fixtures, including some outstanding individual performances.

By: Alyce Collett

After so many cases of ‘close but no cigar’, St Kilda finally got a win on the board this AFLW season, defeating the Gold Coast Suns.

They almost blew this chance like they did so many other times this season, but they held on and finally got the win.

TALKING POINTS

The Saints finally get reward for effort

After some narrow losses which should have been wins, St Kilda finally got the win on the board that they had been so desperate for for weeks.

They almost let it slip once more, but held on to take the four points.

You could see by the reaction of the St Kilda players afterwards how much it meant to them all.

Caitlin Greiser aint always the answer to Saintly success

For the first time in their history, St Kilda won a match without Caitlin Greiser kicking a goal.

Now that is a significant point because it proves that St Kilda can still win without her. She is such a vital cog in their puzzle, so if she has an off week, as she has several times this season, it is not a complete disaster for the Saints now they know how to win without her.

Bohanna stakes her claim for steal of the year

After being overlooked at the draft multiple times, Tara Bohanna is continues to prove why she is one of the steals of the AFLW this season.

She kicked another three goals yesterday, taking her season tally to 12, and her three goals almost won the match for her side off her own boot.

The partnership she is creating in the forward line with fellow Suns’ steal Sarah Perkins should get Suns fans very excited for what is to come in the future.

It’s not panic stations yet for the Suns

Despite yesterday’s loss, it is not panic stations yet for the Suns in their attempt to make it into this year’s finals series.

In terms of wins they are still within striking distance of the top six, but their percentage is awful and they have to rely on Collingwood not winning a game for the rest of the year in order to make finals. Stranger things have happened in football so watch this space.

How do the Saints make the most of this win?

Although it has come with only a fortnight left in the season, this win is better late then never for the Saints. It can also be used as a building block for momentum heading into 2022, and give the team a lot of confidence, especially with the way they won the match.

NEXT WEEK

The Saints return home to Moorabbin for the first time this season as they take on Geelong, while the Suns are coming back to Melbourne to face Carlton.

By: Elly Kirlis

In a battle of two teams looking to keep their finals hopes alive, it was Collingwood who came out on top after a physical first half, defeating the Western Bulldogs by 25 points with a 10.6 (66) to 6.5 (41) victory at Victoria Park.

TALKING POINTS

Magpies show class, get back to enjoying footy

It’s been a frantic month for Collingwood but after this win against the Bulldogs, the Magpies were no doubt to their best footy. Whilst being challenged by the Bulldogs, the Magpies  played as a team, showing their class and the flow down the ground and the control of the ball and working together was much better than it has been compared to the last few weeks.

Injury blows will hurt the Pies

The biggest story out of this game was the loss of star Collingwood midfielder, Britt Bonnici in the second quarter with a suspected serious knee injury. No doubt it will be a nervous wait to see what the results are. With the work that Bonnici does and the way she has played this year, her loss will shake things up for the Magpies. Aliesha Newman also came off the ground in the second quarter with a concussion, and looks set to miss the next couple of games.

Lambert, Frederick, and Schleicher play starring roles

Jaimee Lambert, Sabrina Frederick and Ruby Schleicher were instrumental for the Magpies. Lambert was unstoppable and was a key player once Bonnici went down, playing a key role through midfield, finishing the game with 22 disposals, five marks and three goals. Frederick was back to her best after a strong VFLW outing, finishing with eight disposals, seven marks and two goals to showcase her presence in the forward line. Schleicher was unstoppable down back, applying that defensive pressure and finishing the game with 23 disposals, two marks and three tackles.

NEXT WEEK

Collingwood faces a massive test as the Adelaide Crows await at Norwood Oval, whilst the Western Bulldogs head to Western Australia to take on the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium.

By: Alyce Collett

A record-breaking afternoon has seen Brisbane thrash West Coast to the tune of 74 points at Mineral Resources Park. While the Lions fell just two points short of triple figures, they set a new benchmark for points scored and the greatest-ever margin of victory on a memorable day for the reigning premier.

TALKING POINTS

Record breaking win for Brisbane

Brisbane set a few competition records in the win.

The half time margin of 46 points was the biggest ever half time lead.

Brisbane’s final score of 98 was the highest total score in history, and they kept West Coast to the lowest ever inside 50 tally for a first half with two.

Emily Bates the underrated record breaker

Emily Bates broke some records of her own yesterday.

She had 22 disposals in the first half alone, which was the highest first half tally in the history of the competition. She ultimately finished with 31.

She is arguably one of the most underrated players Brisbane has, and with her work rate will be one of the most dangerous in the end of the regular season and into the finals.

Brisbane back at their dangerous best

After what would have been a frustrating loss on Monday night, Brisbane were back at their dangerous best, putting teams away early and swiftly.

As they head into finals, this is a daunting warning to the rest of the competition to beware of Brisbane.

Both sides suffer injuries to crucial players

Neither side came out of the clash unscathed, with a key player from both sides going down with injury.

For Brisbane, Orla O’Dwyer, who is one of their most improved players this season, suffered a shoulder injury while attempting a tackle and left the field immediately cradling her arm. She will be a massive out for Brisbane if it turns out to be a serious injury.

Meanwhile for West Coast, it was Dana Hooker who went off late with a leg injury.

What do West Coast get out of the rest of the season?

West Coast have a fortnight left of the season to just try and make something of an otherwise frustrating season.

They have the Bulldogs and North in their last two matches, which are not the easiest pair of matches in the world, but a chance to get some consistency in their game heading into 2023.

NEXT WEEK

Brisbane have a much tougher challenge next week, taking on North Melbourne at home which may go a long way in determining the final ladder positions.

The Eagles on the other hand are at home again, facing the Bulldogs as part of an Optus Stadium double header.  

By: Michael Alvaro

Carlton made it two wins on the trot on Sunday, jumping Greater Western Sydney (GWS) into ninth spot after an 18-point win at Manuka Oval. A tense first half was broken open by the Blues’ dominant third term, and despite not taking full toll on the scoreboard, they came away comfortable enough victors.

TALKING POINTS

GWS’ giant case of the blues continues

GWS has never beaten Carlton. That has not changed after the two sides’ latest meeting, although the Giants would have counted themselves in with a major chance of doing so. On their home deck at Manuka Oval, and with Carlton below them on the ladder prior to the first bounce, the charcoal and orange had a few factors pulling for them. Add a returning Rebecca Beeson and some former-Blues with points to prove in the mix, and it feels like somewhat of a missed opportunity – especially with so much ill discipline in crucial moments.

DV50.

The third term is often labelled the premiership quarter, and it proved telling in this clash. Coming out of the half time break, former-Blue Sarah Hosking was asked on the broadcast who could be a gamechanger for her old side – her answer came to fruition. Darcy Vescio stole the show, having five disposals and booting 2.2 in said period to help Carlton establish a game defining buffer. They made a bit of history too, becoming the first AFLW player to reach 50 goals ahead of the likes of Erin Phillips, Tayla Harris and Katie Brennan.

Overchoice The right choice in midfield

Carlton has seldom been too stretched in the way of rotational options in midfield, but has not always found the right combination. That was not the case on Sunday, as the Blues injected a bit of pace and flair to the inside to combat GWS’ older, contest-favouring bunch. The likes of Maddy Guerin, Mimi Hill, Georgia Gee, Keeley Sherar and Daisy Walker featured at the centre bounces and wings, adding some pace and running power to the Blues’ ball movement. It also allowed superstar Madison Prespakis to roll forward and hit the scoreboard, along with Abbie McKay who snared her first two-goal haul.

Scoreboard does not always tell the full story

While a look at the scoring shots (16-8) would do justice to Carlton’s hold on the game, the 18-point margin perhaps did not fully tell the story of the Blues’ second half dominance. After a piece of Alyce Parker magic helped bridge the gap to two points at the main break, a Vescio-inspired Carlton took control of both territory and possession thereafter but could not take full toll on the scoreboard. 2.5 in that term from over 75 per cent of time spent in their forward half, and 11 inside 50s to three was not enough to put the game to bed, but they flow of play said as much. Overall, the Blues won 72 more disposals and laid 19 tackles inside 50 to three, which were major factors in the result – as was GWS’ free kick against count of 26.

NEXT WEEK

GWS will again play host in Round 9 as Richmond rolls into town on Saturday evening, while Carlton features in the Sunday night spot once more as Gold Coast awaits at Princes Park.