AFLW round 8: All the latest results and news from the AFLW
Claudia Whitford lifted Gold Coast to a breakthrough win over Sydney, ensuring the Suns will avoid a winless 2024 campaign. Plus, Melbourne moved closer to a finals berth.
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Gold Coast now has two milestones to celebrate, recording its first win of the season in reigning Club Champion Claudia Whitfort’s fiftieth game.
Sydney was punished off turnover last week, and despite a spirited late comeback, it ultimately succumbed to the Suns’ energetic transition game.
Jac Dupuy slotted the goal of her career with one minute to play to confirm her side’s 4-point victory.
Of the Suns’ five goals, four stemmed from a chain starting in their defensive half, allowing them to lead for the better part of the afternoon.
With All-Australian ruck Ally Morphett sidelined, Lauren Bella ensured the Suns’ midfielder’s received the ball on a platter, dominating the air with 32 hit-outs.
Montana Ham (11 disposals, three marks) was quiet, and squandered a third-quarter opportunity that saw the Swans record their seventh straight behind in an inaccurate outing.
Gold Coast’s game was one of moments as it capitalised on limited forward opportunity after the first quarter.
Tara Bohanna (two goals, five disposals) and Jac Dupuy (two goals, 11 disposals, five marks) stretched the Swans’ defence, while Charlie Rowbottom (21 disposals, seven tackles) continued her strong form.
WHITFORT CLOCKS FIFTY
Claudia Whitfort (16 contested possessions, one goal) was immense upon her return to the side, seamlessly rejoining the midfield brigade to support a red-hot Charlie Rowbottom.
Having played 14 games elsewhere, Whitfort has been a major contributor to the Suns across her now-36 games, spurring their maiden finals berth last year.
With 14 minutes to play, Whitfort added a goal to her celebrations to grant Gold Coast a comfortable two-goal lead.
TURN THE TIDE
While Whitfort and Rowbottom seemed to find their rhythm early, the Swans turned the tide in the dying minutes of the first quarter.
Two late goals led to a mere 2-point margin at the first break. The source of these scores? Clearance.
Overcoming Gold Coast’s early dominance, the Swans not only kept themselves in the contest but ultimately led the clearances to this point, making it count on the scoreboard.
Sofia Hurley was integral with two stoppage clearances and six disposals.
Aimee Whelan’s after the siren goal, which kept the Swans in touch, stemmed from a controversial holding free kick.
Don't write the Swans off just yet 👀#AFLWSwansSunspic.twitter.com/5VC50DXTZX
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 19, 2024
BIRTHDAY BLUNDER
As the wind swirled at Henson Park, Lexi Hamilton had the chance to hand her side the lead … not once, but twice.
After her first attempt sprayed right, she was pushed by Lucy Single, resulting in a free kick and a chance for redemption.
A goal would be the perfect birthday gift for the now 24-year-old, but it wasn’t meant to be as her follow-up set shot too sailed offline.
HAUNTING INACCURACY
Gold Coast controlled the opening term, but it was the Swans who dominated territory for the remaining three quarters.
However, they found themselves unable to convert this into scoreboard pressure.
At the final break, Head Coach Scott Gowans noted his side’s inaccuracy was present around the ground.
“We’re getting plenty of the footy but we’re just not using it well enough,” he said.
“We’re tending to rush the kicks, even between the arcs … we just need to lower our eyes and hit a lead.”
A side that leads the competition for scoring accuracy, today’s 6.10 scoreline eventually came back to haunt them.
A thrilling finish sees the Suns get their first W of 2024! 👊
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 19, 2024
Watch the last two minutes of #AFLWSwansSuns now. pic.twitter.com/E8DpvBbwhJ
SCOREBOARD
SYDNEY 3.1, 3.5, 3.9, 6.10 (46)
GOLD COAST 3.3, 4.3, 5.3, 7.7 (50)
BEST
Sydney: S.Hurley, C.Hamilton, R.Privitelli, E.Heads
Gold Coast: C.Whitfort, L.Bella, C.Rowbottom, J.Dupuy
GOALS
Sydney: Privitelli (2), Lochland, C.Hamilton, Whelan, McEvoy
Gold Coast: Bohanna (2), Dupuy (2), Girvan, Oliver, Whitfort
INJURIES
Sydney: nil.
Gold Coast: Daisy D’Arcy (knee), returned to the field.
Attendance 2570 at Henson Park.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CHLOE WILLIAMS’ VOTES
3. Claudia Whitfort
2. Sofia Hurley
1. Jac Dupuy
BANNAN HEROICS HAVE DEES DREAMING OF FINALS
— Ed Bourke
The Demons are back – and so is Alyssa Bannan.
A season-high four goals from the mercurial forward proved the difference as Melbourne toppled fifth-placed Richmond by 13 points to keep its finals hopes firmly alive with two games to play.
Huge percentage and a very winnable clash against Essendon in Darwin next week meant the Tigers should still qualify, but spirits will not be as high at Punt Road after captain Katie Brennan appeared to suffer a serious ankle injury.
The star forward limped off early in the second term and was taken straight into the rooms by medical staff before taking no further part in the game.
The Tigers clearly felt the absence of their leading goalkicker as they failed to register another major until a late flurry of three goals from Caitlin Greiser when the game was already decided.
They had straightforward chances to cut into the Demons’ lead during the third term – Emelia Yassir dropped a chest mark in the goal square which would have led to a certain goal, before she redeemed herself with a nice grab and centering ball – only for Grace Egan to miss a set shot from directly in front 30m out.
Sarah Hosking could also be in doubt for the Tigers’ trip to the Top End, after seeking treatment for a right knee issue in the third term but playing on under duress.
Bannan kicks one off the outside of her boot! pic.twitter.com/sHe08GH1df
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 19, 2024
BANNAN COMES TO LIFE
Bannan, a former No. 5 pick, had been held goalless four times this season, and failed to score in both previous games at Casey Fields.
A clever finish on the outside of her boot put the Demons a goal in front on the stroke of quarter-time, while her best finish came midway through the second term – a long-range set shot from hard up against the boundary line which appeared to surprise her as much as anyone else.
The 22-year-old was involved again to help Tyla Hanks kick the sealer with a superb sidestep and finish from 25m, and then won a free kick for holding the ball in the goal square to slot her fourth, notching 50 career goals in the process.
MCKENZIE, STOP IT 🤯#AFLWDeesTigerspic.twitter.com/nEM787Cm85
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 19, 2024
MCKENZIE ON THE COUNTER
An unusually still afternoon at Casey Fields meant for once the players could forget about the conditions and put their skills on full display.
Richmond gun Ellie McKenzie found the ball on the wing late in the first term and cut through a sea of Melbourne players as she reached top speed.
The former No. 1 pick stormed ahead with three fluent bounces and finished her work with a low drop punt in a big early play that would have made the Demons nervous.
SCOREBOARD
DEMONS 3.1, 4.1, 5.3, 8.3 (51)
TIGERS 2.1, 2.2, 2.5, 5.8 (38)
BEST Demons: Bannan, Hore, Hanks, McNamara, Gall, Mithen. Tigers: Sheerin, Conti, Greiser, McClelland, Hicks, Dempsey.
GOALS Demons: Bannan 4, Gall 2, Zanker, Hanks. Tigers: Greiser 3, Sheerin, McKenzie.
UMPIRES Baigent, Hughes, Kerr
INJURIES Demons: nil. Tigers: Brennan (ankle), Hosking (knee).
CROWD 2,026 at Casey Fields
‘ANGRY’ GIANTS WORN DOWN BY HAWKS AFTER GRUELLING WEEK
— Ed Bourke
The GWS Giants “played a little bit angry” after a grim week for the club, but they were gradually worn down by the class of Hawthorn star Aileen Gilroy as she propelled her side into the box seat for a top-two finish.
The Hawks could remarkably host a qualifying final in a maiden AFLW finals campaign under first-year coach Daniel Webster, with games against Melbourne and Richmond to come.
One more win will secure the Hawks a double chance after they piled on seven goals to the Giants’ one in the second half to secure a 39-point victory in Frankston on Saturday.
GWS coach Cam Bernasconi was picked up telling the Giants in the quarter-time huddle that he was pleased to see them “playing a little bit angry” after they expressed their hurt via captain Bec Beeson following the revelations of the men’s team’s offensive Wacky Wednesday function.
They challenged the Hawks early with the first two goals via an ultra-efficient Tarni Evans, but whenever they looked like gaining a foothold in the game, Gilroy had an emphatic answer.
She booted two goals from outside 40m into the breeze in the first and third terms, and then topped them all in the final quarter with an extraordinary drop punt finish from the pocket at the wrong angle for a right-footer.
It took the Irishwoman to 13 goals for the season, and if she wasn’t already regarded as one of the top handful of most exciting players in the competition, this performance put her there.
PARKER’S DAY ON A PLATE
GWS star Alyce Parker was remarkable early as she led the Giants’ furious start inside the contest.
She had nine disposals in the first nine minutes of the game, and finished the quarter with 11 touches, four clearances, and four score involvements out of only five scores.
During a brief spell on the interchange bench midway through the term, Fox Footy commentator Kelli Underwood asked Parker what she had for breakfast.
“I had mindset for breakfast. Just came in with a really clear mindset,” Parker said.
You have a lot to answer for, Ben Crowe.
GRIPPING DUEL
Hawthorn’s other Irish forward, Aine McDonagh, was locked in an enthralling battle with GWS defender Pepa Randall for the whole game.
Held to 0.3 from six possessions, McDonagh’s frustration bubbled over a couple of times, but she enjoyed a laugh when she managed consecutive smothers on Randall as she attempted to kick out from the back pocket.
After the first smother, McDonagh got up in Randall’s face and tried to push her over for good measure, but caught her high.
Randall got too close to the mark again with the subsequent free kick – this time, McDonagh wisely went lower with her celebratory shove.
SCOREBOARD
HAWKS 2.1, 2.4, 5.5, 9.7 (61)
GIANTS 2.3, 2.3, 2.4, 3.6 (24)
BEST
Hawks: Bates, Lucas-Rodd, Gilroy, Hipwell, Fleming, Breed.
Giants: Parker, Evans, Beeson, Grierson, Huntington, Randall.
GOALS
Hawks: Gilroy 3, Baskaran 2, Hipwell 2, Bates, Fleming.
Giants: Evans 2, Doyle.
INJURIES
Hawks: nil.
Giants: Garnett (abdominal).
UMPIRES Devenish, Gibson, Manthey
CROWD 2,106 at Kinetic Stadium
RUCK SENSATION’S INJURY SCARE SOURS CRUCIAL PORT WIN
Another star turn from teen ruck sensation Matilda Scholz was a feature as Port Adelaide’s charge towards the AFLW finals continued with an impressive 15-point win against St Kilda to make it a record-breaking four victories in a row.
But while an AFLW finals debut appears within reach for the Power, there were concerns late at Alberton Oval with Scholz limping off the ground in agony in the final term after a knee-on-knee clash.
Scholz collided with Tyanna Smith with about eight minutes remaining and immediately went to the bench favouring her right leg.
While she did not return, the 19-year-old was seen doing run-throughs and cutting to the left and right in encouraging signs, and she told Channel 7 after the match, “Structurally it’s fine … it’s all good.”
Aaaaand breathe, Port fans 😮â€ðŸ’¨
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 18, 2024
Matilda Scholz says she's all good after a late scare in the final quarter.#AFLWPowerSaintspic.twitter.com/0rPPtrOLSD
It was a dramatic end to another big night for Scholz, a week after claiming a Rising Star nomination and pulling down a stunning mark-of-the-year contender in a win against Collingwood.
She played a key role, along with Abbey Dowrick and Shineah Goody, as Port booted a decisive five goals in the first quarter.
It was the eighth-placed Saints versus the ninth-placed Power going into the pivotal clash, but Lauren Arnell’s side replaced St Kilda in the top eight with the result and will be hard to displace with matches against the lowly Suns (18th) and Giants (16th) to round out the home-and-away season.
DOWRICK STRIKES
Arnell would struggle to script a better start to the game, with Scholz bursting out of the centre with a long kick inside 50 from the opening bounce, Goody marking a St Kilda kick out of defence, and Ash Saint taking a clever mark and converting for the home side’s first goal 83 seconds in.
It set the scene for a blazing start, the Power booting five goals in a quarter for the first time this season, with Dowrick booting two of them.
The powerful mid slammed Port’s third goal through with an impressive kick across her body, off a step and under pressure, and followed up with another snap around the corner late in the term to set up a 25-point lead at the first break.
Dowrick kicked her second major with her fourth possession, all of them contested and three of them clearances in a stellar start.
PRESSURE BUILDS
Scholz and Goody were the leading possession winners on the ground at halftime, with 13 and 11 respectively, but the eye-catching figure was the tackles inside 50 count that Port led 17-3.
The Power was ranked near the bottom of the league for pressure last season, but its ability to turn that around and rocket into the top three in key pressure stats has been a key factor in the rise up the ladder.
The Saints took over use of a handy breeze in the second quarter, but struggled to find effective avenues to goal, the visitors’ two majors for the quarter both coming with the aid of 50m penalties.
The home side could only manage one major kicking with the breeze in the third quarter, but St Kilda couldn’t muster a score from just five inside 50s for the term to trail by 28 points at three-quarter time.
SCOREBOARD
POWER 5.1 6.2 7.4 7.5 (47)
SAINTS 1.0 3.0 3.0 5.2 (32)
PHELAN’S BEST POWER: Scholz, Goody, Dowrick, Saint, Lamb, Levicki, O’Dea. SAINTS: Lambert, Smith, Watson, Kelly, Plane.
GOALS POWER: Saint 2, Dowrick 2, Levicki, Pope, Wendland. SAINTS: Smmith 2, Stuart, Plane.
INJURIES POWER: Scholz (knee). SAINTS: Nil.
ALBERTON OVAL
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
JASON PHELAN’S VOTES
3 Scholz (Port)
2 Goody (Port)
1 Lambert (StK)
Okay Abbey, we see you 👀#AFLWPowerSaintspic.twitter.com/cGdxyzY5z6
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 18, 2024
FREE-WHEELING DOGS CRUSH BLUES’ FINALS DREAM
— Ronny Lerner
Carlton have been sensationally knocked out of the AFLW finals race after suffering a shock 33-point loss to the struggling Western Bulldogs at Princes Park on Thursday night.
The Dogs failed to kick a goal in their previous two games, and are well out of top-eight contention, while the Blues were coming off their best win of the season against Fremantle in Perth.
To keep their faint finals hopes alive, Carlton just had to do what was expected of them and brush aside the Bulldogs.
But the Dogs had different ideas. They were a far cry from the ultraconservative, defensive, risk-averse team last week that registered their lowest ever score of 0.3 (3) in one of the worst games in AFLW history against the Bombers.
After applying the straight jacket to her players and blunting any hint of dare and creativity out of them, Bulldogs coach Tamara Hyett unshackled her players this week and they responded spectacularly to kick their biggest score in three seasons and run out 9.7 (61) to 4.4 (28) victors for just their fourth win from their last 19 games.
The contrast to last week was night and day for the Bulldogs who took the game on at all costs. Their fierce pressure, attacking flair, dare and willingness to back themselves absolutely overwhelmed Carlton as they helped themselves to seven of the last nine goals.
It’s a result that will no doubt put Blues coach Mathew Buck under increased scrutiny considering his first two seasons in charge will fail to yield a top-eight spot. The Blues are now set to miss the finals for the fifth straight season.
But the win was soured for the Bulldogs as their ruck Alice Edmonds finished the game on crutches after suffering what looked like a serious left foot injury in the final quarter.
The Bulldogs’ heat was relentless all night and they towelled up the Blues in tackles (87-63) while also doubling them for inside 50s (42-20) on the back of clearance superiority (35-27).
PRITCHARD, BERRY LEAD THE WAY
Isabelle Pritchard was the standout for the winners with 25 disposals (15 contested), eight tackles, six clearances and a goal, and stand-in captain Deanna Berry displayed great leadership with her 19 possessions (10), five clearances and one goal.
Young Jessica Fitzgerald also had a night out with 22 touches (12), eight clearances and seven tackles while Dominique Carruthers also played a key role with 23 disposals (13) and nine tackles.
WASTEFUL BLUES
Carlton did all the early attacking, but their first four scores were all behinds and the Bulldogs made them pay for their wastefulness by kicking a goal for the first time in 20 days courtesy of a lovely snap from Heidi Woodley.
BULLDOGS BREAK CLEAR
The first half was an arm wrestle which produced five lead changes, but late in the second term, the Bulldogs kicked clear, and if not for their second-quarter inaccuracy (2.5), they would’ve led by more than 13 points at halftime on the back of a centre clearance smashing (6-1).
The Bulldogs’ territory domination went into overdrive in the third quarter as they blitzed the Blues in forward entries 18-2.
Carlton looked completely disorganised and, at times, confused, as they committed multiple turnovers and struggled to cope with the Dogs’ intense heat. Yet despite walloping Carlton in general play, the Dogs could only outscore them by a solitary behind for the term.
But the Blues lacked the class and quality to make the most of their reprieve as the Bulldogs ran over the top of them in the final quarter with four goals to one.
"I don't know how they did it, but they did!" 😅#AFLWBluesDogspic.twitter.com/YttXdWUjYo
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 17, 2024
FINN GIFTS DOGS A GOAL
Carlton’s dismal night was perhaps best summed up when Dayna Finn gifted the Bulldogs a goal late in the first quarter. Instead of simply rushing the ball through for a Bulldogs point after getting there first, Finn ran right over the ball and kept it in play in an extremely dangerous position. Analea McKee then forced the ball into the path of Naomi Ferres who converted a dribbler from close range, completing Finn’s humiliation.
SCOREBOARD
CARLTON 1.4, 2.4, 3.4, 4.4 (28)
BULLDOGS 2.0, 4.5, 5.6, 9.7 (61)
RONNY LERNER’S BEST
Blues: McKay, Hill, Cordner, Sherar, Guerin.
Dogs: Pritchard, Berry, Fitzgerald, Carruthers, Wilcox, Georgostathis, Bennetts.
GOALS
Blues: C.Moody, Sherar, Skepper, Brown.
Dogs: Hartwig 2, Woodley, Ferres, Berry, Weston-Turner, McKee, Pritchard, Grigg.
LATE CHANGE Darcy Vescio (delayed concussion) replaced by Amelia Velardo in Carlton’s selected line-up.
INJURIES Blues: Nil. Dogs: Edmonds (foot).
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