AFLW finals: Magpies survive late Bulldogs comeback in epic showdown to keep season alive
Collingwood has been forced to withstand a brutal Western Bulldogs fightback to keep their season alive. Check out their semi-final timeslot and venue in week two of the finals.
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Collingwood has emerged triumphant from a bruising encounter with the Western Bulldogs but their reward will be an equally brutal interstate assignment.
The Magpies will travel to Adelaide to take on the reigning premiers in a sudden-death semi-final at Unley Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Crows will be itching for redemption after coming up short against the Demons in their qualifying final.
The other semi-final will pit this season’s biggest improvers Richmond — beaten by flag favourites Brisbane at the weekend — against the never-say-die Kangaroos — bouyant after their narrow win over Geelong.
AFLW head of football Nicole Livingstone said she was looking forward to the semi-finals after an exceptional first week of finals.
“It’s do or die time for the semi-finalists. I can’t wait to see a packed-out Unley Oval
and Punt Road, and see who will join Brisbane and Melbourne in the final four,” Livingstone said.
“Richmond will look to bounce back against a pumped-up North Melbourne. If their
Round 10 draw is anything to go by, I have no doubt it will be a nail-biter. Everyone in Adelaide will have their eyes on Chelsea Randall and her Crows as they will look to secure their third consecutive preliminary final against a red-hot Magpies.”
Magpies survive Doggies stampede in epic AFLW final
Eliza James has driven Collingwood into an AFLW semi-final against Adelaide on the back of a four-goal performance.
The Pies looked as though they would romp away from the Dogs, but a late flurry from the red, white and blue closed the margin as Collingwood held on to win by five points.
But it was the James show as she became the first player in AFLW history to kick four goals in a final.
The first was a miracle snap from the pocket, before she added another two in the second term, and another in the third.
Collingwood dominated the first term but blew countless chances in front of goal.
The Pies should’ve had the game sewn up and been off to a semi-final against Adelaide by the quarter-time break as they turned 11 inside 50s into seven scoring shots, but six of them were behinds.
They still managed to jump out to a 12-point lead at the first change on the back of relentless forward pressure and rock-solid defence led by Stacey Livingstone.
Inaccuracy seemed to be contagious as the Dogs wasted four of their five chances in the second term.
They started to turn the screws on the Pies though, but James added another two goals to keep the Dogs at an arm’s length at the main break.
In the third the Doggies attempted to use a lifeline putting their second goal on the board, but it wasn’t enough as they couldn’t keep pace with the Pies.
The Dogs cut the margin to five points with two minutes to go, but a Stacey Livingstone mark deep in defence helped the Pies hold on.
QUEEN JAMES
Eliza James is one of the brightest sparks in AFLW and she took no time to light up this season’s finals series.
The 19-year-old blew a great early chance to get the Pies’ first major on the board when she shot from 20m out instead of running into an open goal but made amends in style a minute later.
Imogen Barnett got a quick snap forward into the right forward pocket where James gathered running towards the boundary line.
The crafty forward sidestepped Elisabeth Georgostathis steadied and snapped a goal that brought the crowd to its feet and Collingwood the early momentum.
She added two more second-quarter goals to have the Magpie faithful in raptures.
SHERIDAN BURNS ELLIE
Aishling Sheridan was given one of the hardest jobs in footy — to shut down the red-hot Ellie Blackburn.
The Irishwoman completely sacrificed her game to run with the 27-year-old Bulldogs skipper to keep her to just 17 disposals.
Not only did Blackburn have subpar disposal numbers, but Sheridan’s heat on the superstar meant she went at just 47 per cent disposal efficiency.
It might be a role Sheridan reprises next week on either Eb Marinoff or Anne Hatchard if the Pies want to nullify the star-studded Crows’ engine room.
Bodies on the line
Collingwood star Ruby Schleicher is in doubt for next week’s semi-final against Adelaide after rolling her ankle deep into the fourth term.
The Pies star recently came back from a hip injury and was one of Collingwood’s best until being taken off by trainers.
Kirsty Lamb will come under MRO scrutiny for a late hit on Imogen Barnett.
With just two minutes left in the game Lamb lined the Collingwood swing woman up and caught her high.
She will face a nervous wait before Rd 1 next season.
SCOREBOARD
PIES 1.6 3.7 5.9 5.10 40
DOGS 0.0 1.4 3.4 5.5 35
MOTTERSHEAD’S BEST
Pies: James, Livinstone, Schleicher, Cann, Brazill, Sheridan.
Dogs: Lynch, Bateman, Newton, Pritchard, Lamb.
GOALS
Pies: James 4, Moloney.
Dogs: Newton 2, Hartwig, Cranston, Lamb.
INJURIES
Pies: Brown (concussion), Schleicher (ankle).
Dogs: Berry (concussion).
VENUE
Victoria Park
Sellout for heavyweights in AFLW elmination final
- Rebecca Williams
Long queues stretched outside of Collingwood’s traditional home at Victoria Park before the Magpies’ AFLW elimination final was declared a sell-out on Sunday.
An electronic sign positioned outside of the venue declared the sudden-death final was sold out before the match.
The AFL later revealed the official attendance was 4823.
SOLD OUT!
— Collingwood AFLW (@CollingwoodAFLW) November 6, 2022
We’ve got a full house at Victoria Park. pic.twitter.com/bhOpn6M4om
Why 17 is the new number for Shinboner spirit
North Melbourne have defied the odds to overcome Geelong by just two points to set up a semi-final date with Richmond next weekend.
It’s often claimed defence wins premierships and the clash between North Melbourne and Geelong was an old-fashioned slug fest in the first AFLW final held at GMHBA Stadium.
Geelong dominated play throughout the contest, winning the inside 50 count 40-18.
The Cats have played a mark-kick game so far in season seven, but they were unable to lean into that game-style as North Melbourne turned the pressure up to full volume.
The Roos recorded an astonishing 82 tackles, led by Amy Smith (17 tackles) and Nicole Bresnehan (10 tackles).
North Melbourne’s defence stood tall, somehow managing to restrict the Cats to just one major.
All three goals were kicked during the first term as North Melbourne’s efficiency allowed them to capitalise inside forward 50.
North Melbourne kicked just three behinds after quarter time, but in true Shinboner style, the Roos pulled through.
“That was incredible, we were really lucky to hold on to that one,” said Kangaroos captain Emma Kearney post-match.
“They made it so hard for us to move the ball.
“It’s nice for the defence to get recognition for once!”
Kearney commended the performances of Jasmine Ferguson and Sarah Wright for their ability to lock down on some of Geelong’s most elite forwards.
North Melbourne girls came out to play. pic.twitter.com/vDgVsYX1j6
— North Melbourne Women's (@NorthMelbourneW) November 5, 2022
GARNER OFF THE LEASH
North Melbourne superstar Jas Garner won her second AFLW Champion Player of the Year Award during the week and continued her brilliant season in a best-on-ground performance against the Cats.
Garner was nullified last week by Tiger Meg Macdonald, and it seemed as though a blueprint was in place to try and curtail one of North Melbourne’s strongest assets.
However, senior coach Dan Lowther decided against a hard tag on Garner, which saw the star Roo bounce back in a big way.
Garner relished being let off the leash, amassing a game-high 23 disposals and eight tackles.
CAPTAIN KEARNEY
Roos captain Emma Kearney missed her sides draw against the Tigers in Round 10 but returned from a minor knee injury to play a pivotal role in the elimination final.
Kearney’s drive and penetration off half-back was crucial in North Melbourne’s ability to generate offensive plays.
A laser of a kick in the first term set up an end-to-end play which resulted in North Melbourne’s opening goal.
Her leadership and composure under pressure helped her defence to stand up when Geelong had repeat inside 50s.
Kearney finished with 17 disposals, five marks and six tackles.
SCOREBOARD
CATS 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.8 (14)
KANGAROOS 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 (16)
BOLCH’S BEST
Cats: A. McDonald, Morrison, Emonson, Bowen, Gunjaca.
Kangaroos: Garner, Kearney, M. King, Bruton, Riddell.
GOALS
Cats: Moloney.
Kangaroos: Abbatangelo, O’Loughlin.
INJURIES
Cats: nil.
Kangaroos: nil.
VENUE
GMHBA Stadium
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
BOLCH’S VOTES
3 J. Garner (NTH)
2 E. Kearney (NTH)
1 M. King (NTH)
Payback time: Lions leave Tigers in rearview mirror
Brisbane are just four good quarters from their fourth AFLW grand final after some metering out some payback in the 17-point win over Richmond in the second qualifying final at Metricon Stadium.
The Lions earned themselves a home preliminary final in a fortnight after the minor premiers exacted sweet revenge on the Tigers who were the only team to beat them in the home-and-away season.
That Round 5 upset at Punt Road on AFL grand final day was a distant memory as the Lions claimed their sixth straight win and ended Richmond’s unbeaten run of eight matches on the back of their dominance in clearances (31-18), contested possessions (111-99) and inside 50 entries (36-22)
The usual suspects were outstanding for Brisbane with Orla O’Dwyer, Emily Bates, Ally Anderson, Cathy Svarc, Sophie Conway, Kate Lutkins and Nat Grider at the forefront for the Lions.
Brisbane led by 22 points at halftime after the Lions stamped their authority on the contest in the second quarter with the only three goals of the term.
The home side limited the Tigers to just the solitary behind as Brisbane’s swarming defensive pressure ramped up significantly to keep the Sherrin in their forward half for a majority of the quarter.
The Lions should have been further in front after wasting a number of golden opportunities in front of goal in the first half but they never looked like losing.
Brisbane held a commanding 29-point buffer at the last change after kicking the only goal in the third term with Richmond only able to produce one behind.
TALLS GIVE LIONS ASCCENDANCY
Brisbane bookended their first half dominance with two of their attacking tall timber taking to the skies. Jesse Wardlaw booted her 20th goal of the season after a spectacular grab and steady set shot for the first major of the match. Dakota Davidson produced an even better contested pack mark and kicked truly to give the Lions a commanding 22-point buffer just before the main break.
CONTI CRACKS ANOTHER BIG NUMBER
Richmond star Monique Conti brought up her 1000th career disposal in the third quarter of her 50-game milestone match. Brisbane initially sent tackling machine Catchy Svarc to Conti who also went head-to-head with fellow ball-magnet Emily Bates. Brisbane were unable to deny Conti the ball but they were able to limit the impact her touches had.
LIONS LET TIGERS KNOW WHO’S BOSS
Brisbane did not need reminding in the build-up to the qualifying final that Richmond was the only team to beat them in the home and away season in 2022. This Lions side still takes it personally that the Gold Coast drew the first-ever AFLW QClash and celebrated like they won a grand final. Brisbane hold a grudge better and longer than most. Don’t ask them about Tayla Harris either.
BRENNAN FIGHTS IT OUT
Tigers captain Katie Brennan produced a brilliant, curling right-foot snap for Richmond’s first goal in the first quarter in what was her first appearance in an AFLW final. However, she had just two disposals across the second and third terms during the Brisbane onslaught. The Lions backline has been in outstanding form as a collective in 2022 and rival forwards have been shut down with monotonous regularity so she is not alone. But Brennan kept fighting and kicked two goals in the final term.
Brisbane senior coach Craig Starcevich says the Lions are still preying on their absolute best football after they booked a home preliminary final berth.
The minor premiers absorbed what the Tigers threw at them in a tight and tense first quarter before breaking the game open in the second term to move one game closer to the club’s fourth AFLW grand final appearance.
Brisbane’s midfield was outstanding in the Lions’ sixth-straight win while the backline suffocated the Tigers out of the game. Brisbane’s ability to maintain manic defensive pressure then quickly transition into attack was just too good, too often for Richmond.
But Starcevich insists Brisbane can get even better in the final fortnight of the season after putting Richmond to the sword to exact some form of revenge for the Round 5 loss to the Tigers — their only defeat so far this season.
“There’s always room for improvement. There’s no doubt about that,’’ he said.
“Obviously scoring would be one but we’ve had a good year with that so you can’t be too picky.
“Today the result was OK but we probably left a few out there.’’
He said Brisbane’s work ethic and attitude was spot on and was typified by the performance of midfielder Cathy Svarc who tackled the Tigers into submission and hurt them going the other way with 19 touches.
Brisbane will have a hard hit-out at training at the end of next week to replicate match conditions but Starcevich said the Lions will use the week off to refresh and reload for the tilt at a second flag after 11 matches end-on-end in season seven of the AFLW.
“It’s come at a good time to freshen up. It’s been a long year with the two seasons. But this weekend to freshen up and go hard again, hopefully for the last two weeks would be gold,’’ he said.
Richmond senior coach Ryan Ferguson said Brisbane showed why the Lions are “the best team in the comp” as they upped the pressure in the second term, were first to the ball and forced the Tigers to be “too reactive”.
He said the pressure in the first quarter and the aggression and belief in the game style in the fourth term were positives to build on in the elimination final next week.
“The perspective is good. They understand where we are at. We’ve got the double chance and that we can use what happened today and put it into practice next week,’’ Ferguson said.
“They are still hurting. Brisbane are so good are we knew we had to be at our absolute best and we don’t think that we did bring that.’’
SCOREBOARD
LIONS: 1.3 4.6 5.8 5.9 (39)
TIGERS: 1.1 1.2 1.3 3.4 (22)
GOALS
Lions: Wardlaw, Svarc, Conway, Davidson, Smith
Tigers: Brennan 3
BEST
Lions: O’Dwyer, Bates, Anderson, Svarc, Lutkins, Conway, Grider
Tigers: Dempsey, Seymour, Conti, Shevlin, Graham, Miller
INJURIES
Lions: Nil
Tigers: Beth Lynch (foot)
VOTES
3: Orla O’Dwyer
2: Emily Bates
1: Ally Anderson
CROWD
2392
Sluggish Dees claw their way past Crows as numbers tell
Melbourne has stormed into a home preliminary final, the Demons weathering an early onslaught from Adelaide before launching a blistering counterattack to score a 21-point win in Friday night’s qualifying final.
Mick Stinear’s side trailed by 19 points early in the Season 6 grand final rematch but regrouped to kick seven of the next eight goals of an enthralling battle with the reigning premiers at Ikon Park.
To make it to a fifth grand final, the Crows will have to win more than one final for the first time with a sudden death semi-final against either the Western Bulldogs or Collingwood up next.
Olivia Purcell was outstanding with a game-high 26 possessions, with Tyla Hanks and Lily Mithen important.
“Adelaide was always going to come out hard and credit to them, but I loved how we came back,” Purcell told the Seven Network.
“We knew that we just needed to be better in the contest and it was a really good improvement by us.”
Sarah Lampard hadn’t kicked a goal all season, but finished with two as did Alyssa Bannan.
Ebony Marinoff led the way for Adelaide with 18 touches and 12 tackles but the visitors were outplayed after quarter-time coming off second-best in a lopsided 257-180 possessions count.
CROWS’ EARLY BLOWS
Miserly Melbourne conceded just three goals in four games heading into the finals with the Bulldogs, Gold Coast and Essendon managing one goal in big losses and the Eagles kicking no majors at all.
But the shellshocked Demons were three goals down just over 10 minutes into the match as the fired-up Crows got off to a hot start.
Danielle Ponter kicked her 10th goal of the season just 18 seconds in and ruck Caitlin Gould went back-to-back in a stunning opening blitz, Adelaide with the first six inside 50s.
Melbourne settled into the contest as the quarter wore on, but went goalless in an opening term for just the second time this season.
BANNAN’S BOUNCES
Bannan provided a great example of the dash and dare of the Demons in a second quarter where the home side flipped the script.
Bannan left Hannah Button and Najwa Allen in her wake as she set off on a blazing run down the city side wing, bouncing the ball six times as she went.
The bold dash and kick inside 50 didn’t result in a score, but it was one of 10 inside 50s in a row.
The Demons had 72 more possessions and 20 more marks than Adelaide when they defeated the Crows at Glenelg Oval in Round 1 and the second term looked a lot similar to that contest than the first quarter did.
Purcell and Hanks led the resurgence, Melbourne with 79 disposals to Adelaide’s 45 for the quarter and ahead 11-5 in the inside 50 count for the term.
The Crows defended stoutly but eventually the dam walls burst, Purcell kicking the first of three Melbourne goals in a five-minute burst that gave the home side a two-point lead at half-time.
RANDALL SORE?
Chelsea Randall didn’t have her usual influence in her first game back from an ankle injury that was rated a three-to-five-week recovery when she hobbled from Metricon Stadium in Round 8.
Playing mostly in attack, the inspirational premiership skipper had four possessions in a quiet first half.
She looked a little proppy on her right ankle in the third quarter and went to the bench for assessment, but was cleared to return and started the final term at the centre bounce.
Randall finished with seven possessions but appeared groggy after a late bump and stumbled to the ground when going back to take her free kick.
The skipper was sent off with the blood rule with her stumble sure to be reviewed for any indications of concussion.
SCOREBOARD
DEMONS 0.2 3.4 4.6 7.6 (48)
CROWS 3.2 3.2 4.2 4.3 (27)
PHELAN’S BEST
Demons: Purcell, Mithen, Hanks, West, Lampard, Paxman.
Crows: Marinoff, Gould, Hatchard, Allan, Thompson, Biddell.
GOALS
Demons: Lampard 2, Bannan 2, Purcell, L Pearce, Zanker.
Crows: Gould 2, Ponter, Woodland.
INJURIES
Demons: Nil.
Crows: Randall (head knock).
VENUE
IKON PARK
Originally published as AFLW finals: Magpies survive late Bulldogs comeback in epic showdown to keep season alive
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