AFLW Super Sunday: All the news as finals take shape on final day of regular-season games
The finals are locked in for the AFLW’s 2025 season after Port’s thrilling come-from-behind win over GWS and a massive Hawthorn payday. See the full Week 1.
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An incredible come-from-behind victory has gifted Port Adelaide a home elimination final at Alberton.
The Power overcame a determined GWS outfit that had no finals ambitions heading into the game.
Despite knowing their fate, the Giants led at every break, including an 11-point margin at three quarter time.
The one-point Power victory means they’ll face Richmond in an elimination final on Sunday.
Minor premiers North Melbourne will host Adelaide at Ikon Park on Friday, with the Crows pushing the undefeated Roos in round 9.
The McClelland Trophy winners Hawthorn will host the runner ups Brisbane on Sunday at Ikon Park, while Fremantle hosts Essendon at Fremantle Oval on Saturday night.
STROM, DOCKERS POWER INTO FINALS IN FORM
Fremantle will head into AFLW finals with form behind them after accounting for a plucky Western Bulldogs at a blustery Fremantle Oval on Sunday.
Only a record blowout could have shifted the Dockers into the top four, and while the Dogs were in front early thanks to some wasteful goalkicking from Fremantle, the weight of possession handed the home side a 4.11.35 to 3.3.21 win in front of 2500 fans.
It means the Dockers will host Essendon in an elimination final at home next week.
Mim Strom continued her push for an All Australian berth and was dominant in the ruck and around the ground with 30 hit-outs, 30 touches, seven tackles and three behinds and will prove a handful for a Bombers side missing Steph Wales.
Despite the Dockers having more of the ball early, Isabelle Pritchard kicked the Dogs’ first in the opening term, and Jasmyn Smith’s incredible vision and clean hands set up the second.
However, in the second quarter Ebony Antonio sparked her side into action in the second term after a one-handed intercept mark after Laura Pugh.
The Dogs regained the front shortly after, but only for a minute as a 50 metre penalty gave Fremantle back the lead, and they would lose it for the rest of the game.
NEVER-SAY-DIE POWER CLAIM FINALS WIN
Never-say-die Port Adelaide came from the clouds to claim a home final in stunning fashion on Sunday, Gemma Houghton kicking a goal with a minute remaining to break GWS hearts and extend the Power’s winning streak to six games.
Led brilliantly by skipper Bec Beeson, the brave Giants led from the outset until Houghton marked 35m out on a tricky angle as the clock ticked down.
With fans on the edge of their seats, Alberton Oval erupted when the star forward coolly sent her set shot sailing through the middle to put her side up by a point.
Lauren Arnell’s team had already locked up a historic first finals berth before the clash, but the result moved Port from eighth to sixth with a home final at the club’s spiritual home to come.
Maria Moloney, Piper Window, and Olivia Levicki impressed for the Power, who secured finals with a 7-4 record.
GEMMA HOUGHTON IS THE HERO FOR YARTAPUULTI!
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 3, 2024
A huge mark and finish to give the Power the lead for the first time today 💪#AFLWPowerGiantspic.twitter.com/JP5V5M5ATM
The Giants, who couldn’t move out of 16th on the ladder regardless of the result, took a seven-game losing streak into the clash with their past four defeats coming at an average losing margin of just over 41 points.
The Giants’ only win of the season came back in August when they prevailed over the Western Bulldogs in Round 1, but the visitors, perhaps inspired by Alicia Eva’s 75th-game milestone, set the tone from the outset and made it difficult for the home side to play the game on its own terms.
LATE BLOW
The Power, already without teen ruck sensation Matilda Scholz due to calf tightness, suffered a blow in the warm-up when a sore Abbey Dowrick was a late withdrawal.
That duo are Port’s top two clearance players and their absence appeared to be a factor early when a red-hot GWS side jumped out of the blocks.
With Beeson and Alyce Parker getting plenty of the ball, the Giants had nearly double the number of clearances (21-11) and 37 more possessions thanks to their superior work rate and pressure in the first half, the visitors with a well-deserved nine-point lead at the main break.
That lead should really have been larger, with Meghan Gaffney missing back-to-back shots at goal from close range late in the second term.
Gaffney’s day ended early when she twisted a leg awkwardly in a tackle late in the third quarter and was helped from the field by trainers.
MOWBRAY STRIKES
Tarni Evans started the scoring in the second half with another miss from a set shot from 20m out then Brodee Mowbray missed a tougher one shortly after.
But just when it seemed the visitors might be kicking themselves out of the contest, Mowbray struck.
The 22-year-old deftly gathered a loose ball after a marking contest then threw it on her boot, with her goal extending the margin to a game-high 17 points.
Caitlin Wendland was able to drag one back before the last break, converting a set shot for her second major to set up the tense finale.
HAWKS A MILLION DOLLARS RICHER AFTER TIGERS WIN
Hawthorn has won $1 million dollars after defeating Richmond by 23 points to take out the McClelland Trophy on Sunday.
After Brisbane won its game earlier in the day to momentarily take top spot on the McClelland leaderboard, the Hawks simply had to win at Punt Rd Oval to jump back in the winner’s seat.
And Daniel Webster’s side did just that with a brilliant four-goal final term to power to a strong 6.10 (46) to 3.5 (23) win in an intense clash.
Hawks key forward Aine McDonagh was crucial to the victory with two second-half goals including a sealer with three minutes to go to put her side 16 points ahead.
“It’s a million-dollar kick from McDonagh,” Nigel Carmody said in commentary following 26-year-old’s snap from a tight angle.
Earlier, it was the Tigers who got the first major of the final term to gain a lead through Emelia Yassir before last week’s rising star winner Mikayla Williamson kicked one back to make it 25-22 advantage to the Hawks with just under 12 minutes left.
The next goal then came when defender-turned-forward Mackenzie Eardley kicked a snap from a tight angle to give the Hawks a nine-point lead with four minutes left.
While Tigers midfielder Monique Conti (25 disposals) provided challenges all game for the Hawks, it was Hawks winger Greta Bodey who stepped up sensationally in the final term with 13 touches to help get her side over the line.
Bodey finished the game with 23 touches alongside midfield teammate Eliza West, who had a dominant first half.
Bodey said it was a huge game for the Hawks ahead of finals.
“Huge game, it was a big game coming into finals, we really wanted to get ourselves ready for next week and Richmond were the perfect team to verse because they are such a good quality opposition,” she said post game.
“Credit to them for bringing the fight, it took us the four quarters (to get the win) but stoked to get the result.”
The Hawks finished six points clear of the Lions on the McClelland leaderboard to take home the $1 million dollar prize which is shared between players, coaches and the club from the men’s and women’s program.
To conclude the lively encounter, Kaitlyn Ashmore scored a stunning goal on the run off the back of a smothered kick to give the Hawks fans a thrilling finish.
HAWKS DISAPPEAR
The Hawks had the first eight inside-50s of the third term and were rewarded for their hard work with an Aine McDonagh goal to gain a 10-point lead.
But the Tigers responded with the last seven inside-50s of the quarter, also scoring a major to cut the margin.
Beth Lynch got the goal before ruck Tamara Luke almost put the Tigers in front but narrowly missed as the ball rocketed into the left goalpost.
The Tigers then got the first goal of the fourth term through Emelia Yassir to gain a three-point lead.
MILESTONE GOAL
Beth Lynch booted one of the longest goals of the season to put the Tigers within three points of the Hawks late in her 50th game.
The defender’s goal from 40 metres out carried the goal line comfortably late in the third term to keep the Tigers in the game in a big moment.
Teammates flocked to Lynch to celebrate the stunning goal from the 27-year-old, who kicked her first major since round 5 last season.
Beth finished the game with 12 disposals, a goal and four tackles.
INTENSE START
It was a low-scoring start to the game with scores reading 11-8 the way of the Hawks at halftime.
The Hawks won inside-50s (19-16) and contested possessions (62-49) in the first half but the Tigers had six more tackles (40-34) and matched their opposition in clearances (15-16).
Hawks midfielder Eliza West, who was leading the ground with 15 touches in the opening half, said it was an intense first two quarters.
“It’s been a highly pressured game for the first half just in general,” she said at half time.
“Richmond are definitely bringing it and I think on our end we would like to pick it up a little bit more.
“The glimpses of when we have been doing that more, that’s when we have actually been able to capitalise on our ball movement and how we want to play.”
RICHMOND 0.1 1.2 2.4 3.5 (23)
HAWTHORN 0.2 1.5 2.6 6.10 (46)
HATZOGLOU’S BEST
Tigers: Conti, Egan, Kelly, Lynch, Dempsey.
Hawks: Bodey, West, McDonagh, Fleming, Breed, Vukic.
GOALS
Tigers: Lynch, Shevlin, Yassir.
Hawks: McDonagh 2, Gilroy, Eardley, Ashmore, Williamson.
INJURIES
Tigers: Nil. Hawks: Nil.
Crowd: 2087 at Punt Road Oval
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
MAX HATZOGLOU’S VOTES
3. G. Bodey (HAW)
2. M. Conti (RICH)
1. E. West (HAW)
LIONS ROAR INTO FINALS, SWEAT ON CONWAY
Brisbane did all it could to take home the $1 million dollars on offer for the McClelland trophy after defeating St Kilda by 27 points on Sunday.
Following the convincing 10.8 (68) to 6.5 (41) victory at RSEA Park, it comes down to the following game between Richmond and Hawthorn to decide who will take home the elusive award.
A Hawks loss would lift the Lions to top position on the McClelland trophy ladder while Craig Starcevich’s side would also have a chance to get a home qualifying final, but they will be relying on better percentage to get the second-place finish on the AFLW ladder.
In the hot contest between the Saints and Lions, the visitors kicked six goals to one in the third term to power to a dominant 47-point lead at the final break.
Three goals in less than five minutes in the opening term got the Lions going before four in four minutes just after halftime gave Brisbane` full control.
Lions key forward Taylor Smith was immense and her two goals lifted her to top spot on the competition goalkicking chart alongside Geelong’s Aishling Moloney on 21 goals. Smith had the chance to take the outright lead in the final seconds but marked 30m out just after the final siren sounded.
The Lions may rue a disappointing finish to the game where they were held scoreless in the final term while the Saints kicked three goals to cut the margin and potentially cost the Queensland side some handy percentage which they may need for a second-place finish.
Meanwhile, a shoulder injury to Sophie Conway in the final term will also be a watch for the Lions as a scan will most likely determine the veteran’s chances for a return in time for finals.
Conway had a brilliant outing, picking up 27 touches while teammate Ally Anderson had a game-high 29 disposals and seven clearances.
The Lions dominated clearances (36-22) as well as contested possessions (127-109) in a strong finish to the home-and-away season where they walk away with a 9-2 record.
Jaimee Lambert was best for the Saints with a team-high 22 disposals and 12 tackles while forward Jesse Wardlaw kicked two goals.
After starting the season 3-0, the Saints finish the campaign 4-7.
CONWAY DOWN
There were immediate concerns for Lions midfielder-forward Sophie Conway when she grabbed her right shoulder following a tackle in the fourth term.
Conway was tackled by Saints’ Hannah Stuart with less than six minutes left and remained on the ground momentarily before jogging off holding her shoulder.
The two-time premiership player had a tremendous match picking 27 disposals, two goals, five clearances and four inside-50s.
It would be a major blow for the reigning premiers if the 2023 All-Australian was to miss the finals.
McCLELLAND TROPHY RACE
It was the talking point for much of the week and the Lions did everything they could to ensure they got the eight points from the match to climb to top spot on the McClelland trophy leaderboard.
In the combined competition with the AFL, $250k goes to the winning club’s men’s team players and $250k to the women’s players and coaching staff, while the club takes the remaining $500k.
After the Lions’ win, they rise above Hawthorn to first spot on the standings with 130 points while the Hawks, with one game to play, sit on 122 and could jump back into first with a victory on Sunday.
ST KILDA 1.0 2.1 3.3 6.5 (41)
BRISBANE 4.5 4.6 10.8 10.8 (68)
HATZOGLOU’S BEST
Saints: Lambert, Wardlaw, Watson, Anderson, Kelly.
Lions: Anderson, Conway, Dawes, O’Dwyer, Smith, Svarc.
GOALS
Saints: Wardlaw 2, Exon, Richards, Stuart, Trudgeon.
Lions: Conway 2, Smith 2, Anderson, Davidson, Svarc, Hartill, Long, Svarc.
INJURIES
Saints: Nil. Lions: Conway (shoulder)
Crowd: 1,678 at RSEA Park
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
MAX HATZOGLOU’S VOTES
3. A. Anderson (BRIS)
2. S. Conway (BRIS)
1. J. Lambert (STK)
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