AFLW Round 2: Roos raise bar again against St Kilda, alarm bells ringing at Richmond, revengeful Lions devour Suns
North Melbourne has raised the bar again with an emphatic win, prompting a swipe from Saints coach Peta Searle, while the Brisbane Lions created a new record. Full AFLW wrap.
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St Kilda AFLW coach Peta Searle has hit out at the concessions given to other expansion teams after the Saints went down by 26 points to North Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.
The second-year Saints were no match for a rampant North Melbourne whose star-studded playing list boasts the likes of 2018 W Award winner Emma Kearney.
“North are an outstanding side in terms of having a great list. They started with a great list and they’ve been gifted top 10 players every year,” Searle said post-game.
“You look at North’s midfield and you look at all their superstars and they’ve been playing together for years not just at North, but together at Melbourne Uni, for a long period of time.
“We’re still finding out what our players can do and where they can play.
“So imagine where our midfield is going to go in three years’ time when they’ve played together for a long time and are a bit stronger and a bit fitter.”
Searle implied the Saints were at a disadvantage coming into the competition in 2020 and weren’t afforded the same concessions given to clubs that joined the league earlier. The Roos joined the league a year earlier along with Geelong.
“For an expansion club, I would have wanted more than we got, I think anyone would,” she said.
“We’re happy with where we’re at, but were we happy with our performance (today)? No.
“Do we know we’re a better team than what we were today? Yes. And our girls are committed to ... getting better and getting better fast.”
Searle said her team was “disappointed” with how they played but was full of praise for the youngsters in the Saints side.
“They got the jump on us in the first quarter, I actually felt we only played one good quarter of footy the way we wanted to play,” she said.
“We’ve demonstrated that when we play that way we can match it with the best, so our girls are disappointed, because they want to be better than what they produced today.”
HUBS MUST REMAIN LIVE OPTION
AFLW hubs are a live option in order to keep the season alive, according to North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker.
The 2021 season was thrown into turmoil last week after a coronavirus case in Western Australia sent the state into lockdown while two non-WA AFLW teams were in Perth.
As of Sunday afternoon, AFLW teams don’t know who they’re playing next week with the fixture yet to be determined.
“There’s been a little bit of discussion around hubs but we’ll just wait and see,” Crocker said after his side’s resounding win.
With the next round of the AFLW fixture still up in the air, Crocker said his side is ready for anything.
“The girls have been unbelievably agile and adaptable, they’re just happy to take whatever comes our way,” he said.
“The leaders have led from the front and our experienced players have been amazing.
“The health and welfare of people is the main concern and we’ll just do what we have to fit in around that.”
Despite not knowing which team his side will be facing next week, the in-form Roos will have a simple approach to training.
“We’ll look at ways we continue to get better, let’s have another solid week on the track, again not knowing who we’re going to be playing at this stage, and just looking to grow our game all the time,” he said.
Crocker said he didn’t know when the new fixture would be released.
ROOS RAISE BAR AGAIN FOR AFLW RIVALS
If North Melbourne wasn’t already the team to beat, the Kangaroos certainly are now after a clinical performance against a gutsy St Kilda at Arden Street Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Showcasing slick skills, they looked a cut above the rest of the competition, running out victors by 26 points.
The Roos withstood the Saints’ relentless pressure, with their organisation around the ball getting them out of hot water on several occasions.
While undoubtedly a team performance, North Melbourne’s star-studded midfield stood up yet again, with Emma Kearney and Jenna Bruton racking up 22 disposals each.
The Roos looked to find another gear in the final term, booting two unanswered goals to seal the deal.
After an anticlimactic end to 2020, North Melbourne has shown no signs of slowing down, winning two on the trot and with their eye firmly on the premiership prize.
GETTING OUT OF JAIL
North Melbourne’s organisation around stoppages and ability to find an outlet pass got them out of some sticky situations.
Kaitlin Ashmore and Jasmine Garner’s positioning yielded several intercept marks, with Ash Riddell able to capitalise in the final term, booting the final goal of the match in emphatic fashion.
Emma Kearney proved again why she’s one of the league’s best players, with her intensity around the ball seeing her finish with a game-high nine tackles.
SAINTS’ PRESSURE COOKER
After an even first quarter, the Saints turned the pressure up in the second term.
The Saints swarmed the footy at every opportunity, throwing their bodies on the line to prevent the Roos getting possession.
The gutsy Saints kept the Roos goalless in the second quarter, and finished the game with 76 tackles to North Melbourne’s 48.
MIDFIELD DYNAMIC DUO
Georgia Patrikios set the AFLW world on fire last year, and this year seems to have taken her game to another level, combining with the Saints’ top draft pick Tyanna Smith.
Smith’s deft sidestepping is reminiscent of St Kilda legend Lenny Hayes, while her goal in the second quarter was the Saints’ only of the match.
Patrikios racked up 27 possessions and three marks, while Smith finished with 16 disposals and a goal.
JAKOBSSEN INJURED AGAIN
It was a disappointing return to footy for new Saint Bianca Jakobssen, with a fresh injury putting an end to her game.
In her first game for the Saints after recovering from a collarbone injury, Jakobssen suffered a corked back and didn’t take part in the game after halftime.
North Melbourne 5.6 (36) d St Kilda 1.4 (10)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Ellie Galavas, Talia Randall, Daria Bannister
St Kilda: Tyanna Smith
BEST
North Melbourne: Jenna Bruton, Jasmine Garner, Emma Kearney, Ellie Galavas
St Kilda: Georgia Patrikios, Tyanna Smith, Kate Shierlaw
Crowd: 1977 at Arden St
LIONS LEAVE BAD MEMORIES BEHIND THEM
By Greg Davis
Brisbane senior coach Craig Starcevich reminded his players about the Gold Coast’s stunning 2020 QClash comeback before his Lions tore the Suns to pieces in a 63-point thrashing in the AFLW’s Queensland derby on Sunday.
The rampant Brisbane claimed a 10.5 (65) to 0.2. (2) victory with the Gold Coast’s total setting a new AFLW record as the lowest score in competition history, surpassing the three behinds kicked by Richmond against St Kilda last year.
The Queensland clubs fought out a 28-all draw in the first-ever AFLW QClash at Metricon Stadium in 2020 with the Suns flying home in the second half to snatch a share of the premiership points in what felt more like a win for the Gold Coast and a lost opportunity for the Lions.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for Brisbane after the Suns raided their playing and coaching stocks after the 2019 campaign.
But revenge was a dish best served searing hot in oppressive heat at Hickey Park where nobody felt the stifling conditions more than the person inside the Lions mascot suit.
Starcevich was delighted with the killer instinct shown by his team that is undefeated after two rounds while the Suns were condemned to their second-straight loss.
“That bit (revenge on the Suns) is not lost on us at all because they’ll be our rival forever. It’s nice to get that bit out of the way,’’ he said.
“We did actually remind them (Lions players) about last year so it was really pleasing that they just kept working away.
“We’re a team that’s trying to improve every week and that was a step-up from last week (when Brisbane beat Richmond).
“We are looking forward to the challenge of playing some of the big clubs that have got their hands up for higher stakes come the end of the year.’’
Lions forward Jesse Wardlaw kicked four goals and had two goal assists to win the QClash medal for best-on-ground while Dakota Davidson also booted four majors.
The Lions led by 16 points at quarter-time and by 29 points at the main break with the Gold Coast remaining scoreless.
Wardlaw kicked her third major early in the third term to make it 41-0. A Jamie Stanton behind was the first score for the Suns to cut the margin to 40 points.
The quartet of Sophie Conway, Lauren Arnell, Natalie Grider and Isabel Dawes were at the heart of most of Brisbane’s attacking thrusts with Greta Bodey always dangerous up forward alongside Wardlaw and Davidson.
Brisbane defenders Kate Lutkins and Breanna Koenen repelled any Suns attacking movement and quickly put the Lions back on the front foot.
The Lions had 22 marks to one inside 50 and enjoyed a 34-15 in inside 50 entries advantage to have their way with the Gold Coast who promised a much tougher fight after pushing Melbourne in Round 1.
Gold Coast senior coach David Lake said how the Suns responded would be telling.
“You’re disappointed from a footy club perspective and how you represented yourself. You have to have that conversation but most importantly it’s about how you address that and then how do you go forward,’’ he said.
“If you think that’s not a true reflection of you, it’s what you’re going to do about it that matters. I was really disappointed too. We’ve worked really hard for the last four months, you invest heavily, so you get disappointed as much as anything.
“They were very good. They played with real intent, were strong at the footy and had real purpose in what they did.
“It’s what we do next, that’s where you can define yourself.
“There’s seven more weeks to go, and we want to play at the end. I haven’t lost faith, at all. That’s a game.’’
WRONG WAY ISABEL
The Lions set-up a 29-point lead at the main break after a dominant second term that yielded two goals and one behinds with the Suns failing to trouble the scoreboard attendant.
The most promising attacking movement for the Gold Coast came from Lions midfielder Isabel Dawes who thumped the Sherrin 30 metres the wrong way from the centre square to put the Suns deep into their forward line.
Luckily for the Lions, defensive guru Kate Lutkins intercepted the “inside 50 entry” that did not register in the official stats. The Gold Coast had only two inside 50s off their own boot in the second term.
WARDLAW RESTORES ORDER
Lions full forward Jesse Wardlaw had a day out with four goals and two goal assists to cash-in on Brisbane’s utter dominance.
Dakota Davidson also booted four goals for Brisbane with Greta Bodey adding the remaining two majors for the rampant home side.
The Lions had 22 marks to one inside 50 and enjoyed a 34-15 advantage in inside 50 entries to have their way with the Gold Coast who promised a much tougher fight after pushing Melbourne in Round 1.
EAGLES BRAVE, BUT FREO REMAINS UNBEATEN
By Mitchell Woodcock
Fremantle and dynamic midfielder Kiara Bowers have kept their perfect AFLW derby intact, defeating a brave but undermanned West Coast by nine points.
Bowers was simply dominant with 22 disposals, 14 tackles, seven clearances and a goal to unanimously win back-to-back Derby Medals in the 2.11 (23) to 2.2 (14) win at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.
After a dramatic week, an empty venue and torrential rain met the two rivals, who less than 12 months ago played in front of more than 35,000 at Optus Stadium.
Yet one thing that didn’t change was Bowers’ intent to stamp her authority on the rivalry, with the midfielder a class above from the first bounce to extend the Dockers’ winning streak to nine matches.
West Coast’s loss was made worse what looked to be a serious right knee injury to ruck Parris Laurie in the third quarter, who bravely battled on as a forward.
This latest injury news came just days after inaugural club champion Dana Hooker was ruled out for the season after requiring surgery on her foot following an accident in the kitchen.
West Coast’s day got off to the perfect start when Irish imports of Niamh Kelly and Aisling McCarthy combined to give the underdogs the first goal.
The Eagles’ ability to adapt quicker to the slippery conditions combined with their efforts to get back into defence in strong numbers allowed them to hold off the usually potent Dockers goalless in the first quarter despite the home team’s strength at the clearances.
After some persistent forward pressure, Gemma Houghton produced something special for the Dockers to break through midway through the second, snapping a goal over her left shoulder to give her side the lead.
This ignited Fremantle, who dominated the inside 50s 35-14, but a mix of the slippery conditions and stubborn West Coast defence ensured they could not put their hard work on the scoreboard.
Fremantle looked to have gained enough breathing space when Bowers kicked a long-range goal from the clearance to begin the third term.
Mounting injuries for the Eagles made the task of a comeback even more challenging with Laurie joined by Kelly and Andrea Gilmore on the sidelines.
Against all odds, a brave West Coast refused to go away, with Imahra Cameron inspiring her teammates with a brilliant run-down tackle on Eve Gooch deep in attack to set up their second goal and reduce the margin to just one kick.
But the Dockers successfully locked the ball inside their front half to hold territory as the likes of Bowers, Hayley Miller (14 disposals and five clearances) and Stephanie Cain (12 disposals) controlled the stoppages to keep the plucky Eagles at bay.
DAAVEY SETTLES DEBATE AS PIES GO 2-0
Debate has raged over Brianna Davey’s best position and her Herculean effort in the clinches stamped her authority as one of the premier midfielders in the competition.
It was Davey’s day at Victoria Park as the Collingwood skipper willed her side over the line against an improved Geelong outfit, winning 25 disposals and booting a crucial goal in the 29-point win.
Geelong came out with a point to prove following their dour defeat last week, slotting the opening two goals, but were kept goalless from there on as the Magpies controlled proceedings.
This dominance did not show on the scoreboard until the final quarter when the floodgates opened, the Magpies piling on 3.5 to the Cats’ one behind.
Young gun Chloe Malloy (6 disposals and 1 goal) and speedy inclusion Sarah Row (15 touches and a goal) provided X-Factor in the forward arc while Brittany Bonnici continued her strong start to the season with 24 touches and nine marks.
50M PENALTIES PROVE COSTLY
The Cats looked the better side early but gifted the Magpies two first quarter goals on a platter from three 50m penalties.
The first allowed Ruby Schleicher to slot Collingwood’s first goal of the match, while two separate errors walked small forward Mikaela Cann to the goal square from the wing in the dying seconds of the opening term.
Cats defender Maddy Keryk was left to rue her error of judgment in blocking Cann’s run after the initial 50m penalty awarded, with the umpire blowing the whistle again to signal a 100m penalty.
Despite this, the Cats had the rub of the green with the umpires early, leading the free kick count 9-2 in the late stages of the opening stanza.
FIRST BACK-HEEL, FIRST GOAL
We won’t forget Olivia Barber’s first goal anytime soon and she has fellow debutant Steph Williams to thank.
A desperate smother from fellow debutant Steph Williams in the early stages of the match saw the ball spill towards the goal-line in the path of Barber.
Tracked by Stacey Livingstone, Barber missed the ball with a kick-off the ground but connected with a brilliant back-heel on the second attempt, joining the first kick, first goal club in style.
The forward pressure of Williams (three disposals, two tackles) was a highlight early, while Barber finished with four touches.
30 seconds in and Geelong's Olivia Barber kicks her first #AFLW goal on debut! #AFLWPride | #AFLWPiesCats pic.twitter.com/3mvuaamAO0
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) February 6, 2021
GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY
Several tight goal-line calls for both sides put goal-line technology in the AFLW under the microscope.
A number of decisions from the goal umpires appeared difficult to determine from the naked eye, including a rushed behind call in the third term from a bouncing Sophie Alexander shot at goal.
Nonetheless, the Magpies’ work on the last line of defence was outstanding, saving two goals with defensive pressure in the first term.
The Pies' Irish stars combine as Rowe kicks their second in a minute 🇮🇪#AFLWPride | #AFLWPiesCats pic.twitter.com/ojAXDCXv1x
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) February 6, 2021
SCOREBOARD
COLLINGWOOD 2.0 3.4 3.7 6.9 (45)
GEELONG 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.4 (16)
GOALS
Collingwood: Rowe, Davey Schleicher, Cann, Malloy, Alexander
Geelong: Barber, Boyd
BEST
Collingwood: Davey, Bonnici, Rowe, Malloy, Schleicher, Livingstone
Geelong: Webster, Van De Heuvel, A McDonald, Purcell, McWilliams
INJURIES
Collingwood: Jamie Lambert (back)
Geelong: Maddy McMahon (tbc)
Venue: Victoria Park
TIGERS’ WOES CONTINUE AT HANDS OF DEES
Alarm bells are ringing at Punt Road.
Richmond remains winless in the AFLW from eight matches and have scored just three goals in the opening two rounds of 2021.
The Tigers made a positive start with the first major of the match against Melbourne, but their attacking woes continued with superstar Katie Brennan held to five disposals, going down by 28 points at Casey Fields.
Melbourne lifted significantly after a slow start with Lily Mithen (20 touches) leading the way in the clinches.
The home side did not put the Tigers away until late in the third term as forward Kate Hore kicked two consecutive goals.
The win came despite a rare quiet game from Daisy Pearce, who claimed just six touches as tagger Maddy Brancatisano quelled her influence.
A sling tackle from Lily Mithen on Sarah Hosking late in the piece could come under match review scrutiny.
REMEMBER THE NAME
Highly touted draftee Alyssa Bannan announced herself in the AFLW with two goals in the space of a minute to give the Demons the momentum.
The fifth selection in the 2020 draft found herself on her own close to goal after some clever bodywork on her opponent, taking an open mark and bringing up her first AFLW goal.
She was jumping for joy moments later after plucking a strong one-on-one mark running back to goal as she extended Melbourne’s lead to 12 points in the second term.
“It’s hard to kick a goal so you’ve got to celebrate every moment you can get,” Bannan told Fox Footy post-game.
Meanwhile, classy number one draft pick Ellie McKenzie put in another excellent display for the Tigers, tallying 14 disposals.
Eden Zanker with the tap, Kate Hore with the finish ðŸ‘#AFLWPride | #AFLWDeesTigers pic.twitter.com/LG3tojyMlu
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) February 6, 2021
CONTI RESPONDS
Tigers star Monique Conti was blanketed by stopper Cathy Szarc in her side’s Round 1 loss, restricted to 12 disposals for the match.
She had eclipsed that mark halfway through the second quarter, tallying 15 first-half disposals in a defiant response from the ball-magnet.
The 21-year-old was the standout Tiger on the park, finishing with a game-high 27 possessions.
PETREVSKI HAMSTRUNG
Talented youngster Krstel Petrevski appears set for a reasonable stint on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury, souring a promising evening for the Demons.
The forward pulled up lame in the centre-square clutching her hamstring and was helped from the ground in pain.
The cousin of Carlton’s Sam Petrevski-Seton and Melbourne’s Toby Bedford had made an impressive start to her 2021 campaign, booting two goals against Gold Coast in Round 1.
SPEARHEADS START WITH A BANG
On a tough day for key forwards, Sabrina Frederick and Tegan Cunningham both made an immediate impact on the contest.
Frederick hauled in a towering contested mark close to goal and kicked truly to put the Tigers on the board in the opening two minutes.
Cunningham followed up with a big clunk mark of her own at the other end minute’s later, slotting her set shot from 30 metres
The pair were the sole goalkickers in the opening quarter.
SCOREBOARD
MELBOURNE 1.0 3.1 5.2 7.2 (44)
RICHMOND 1.0 1.2 1.3 2.4 (16)
GOALS
Melbourne: Bannan 2, Hore 2, Cunningham, Scott, Paxman
Richmond: Frederick, Hosking
BEST
Melbourne: Mithen, Hore, Paxman, Bannan, Hanks, Sherriff
Richmond: Conti, McKenzie, Brancatisano, Cordner, Hosking
INJURIES
Melbourne: Petrevski (hamstring)
Richmond: Nil
REPORTS
Melbourne: Lily Mithen (sling tackle)
Venue: Casey Fields
Has top Dog taken mantle of AFLW’s best player?
- James Mottershead
Ellie Blackburn was an outsider to win the AFLW best-and-fairest award heading into Friday night’s game against the Bulldogs.
She won’t be now.
The 25-year-old almost single-handedly willed her side over the line in the last quarter at Whitten Oval.
After facing a 10-point deficit heading into the last quarter, Blackburn was everywhere for the Dogs and kicked two final-term goals within the opening five minutes to have her side put their noses ahead of the Blues.
A second goal to Kirsten McLeod put the Bulldogs up by eight points and a misfiring Carlton made sure Blackburn’s efforts got the reward they deserved.
SORRY … NOT SORRY
When Kirsten McLeod ran into an open goal early in the first quarter the Dogs looked set to kick the first goal of the night.
But a complete shank off the outside of her boot left the Whitten Oval crowd silent and scratching their heads.
Fast forward to the second half and McLeod was given the same opportunity to kick the opener.
This time it was from deep in the pocket and 30 metres out.
Launching a drop punt, McLeod split the middle, and repeated her heroics again in the last quarter when Blackburn was looking for a partner in crime.
Running onto a loose ball 40 metres from goal, McLeod burst away from her opponent and at full speed kicked truly after running her distance.
TAYLOR-MADE
After a wayward first half in front of goal, Tayla Harris made the most of her chances in the second half and kicked the Blues away in the third term with two goals.
After Collingwood’s Stacey Livingstone got the better of her last week, Harris looked at her best once she’d taken a couple of contested marks and worked her way into the game.
Harris shapes as the vital cog in the Blues’ quest for a finals push, providing an important connection with her star-studded midfield.
HILL CLIMBING
Mimi Hill is shaping as a Rising Star candidate after a prolific outing in which she amassed 17 disposals.
Carlton’s first pick in last year’s draft made an immediate impact with 12 touches against Collingwood last week, but she showed it was no fluke against the Bulldogs and led all comers for disposals at halftime.
Hill’s addition to Carlton’s midfield gives them some of the best depth in AFLW alongside Prespakis, Gee and Hosking.
SISTER ACT
It was a moment champion racehorse trainer Peter Moody captured and will have up on his fireplace come Monday morning.
Identical twins Breann and Celine Moody, daughters of Peter, faced off in the opening ruck contest and found themselves rubbing shoulders for most of the night.
While the hit-outs were almost even, Breann shading Celine 13-12, Breann was able to win more of the footy than her sister, finishing with 13 touches, to take the bragging rights.
Harford slams ‘awful’ Blues
Daniel Harford wasn’t pulling punches after his side’s loss to the Western Bulldogs, labelling the Blues’ performance “awful”.
Carlton held a 10-point lead entering the last quarter, but an Ellie Blackburn inspired Bulldogs outfit overran the Blues, kicking three goals to none to run out six-point winners.
And Harford, whose side now sits at 0-2 on the season, said while the Blues have come back from here before, they were a long way off it.
“We went through being 0-2 a couple of years ago and rebounded really strongly and made the grand final, so we’ve proven we’re capable of rebounding but what we saw tonight, it was awful, we were awful tonight,” he said.
“I don’t want to take too much away from the Doggies because I thought they were really good, but it was nothing like what we are as a team and what we try to accomplish as a team.
“We need to dig deep into the number and the psyche of the players and try and find why what is happening is happening.”
Harford said despite the last quarter dominance of the Dogs, he felt Carlton was beaten all night.
“I think the Dogs were hungrier I must admit, it wasn’t so much the last quarter it was all through the game,” he said.
“They had really dominant patches and we didn’t cope with those patches at all, we made bad errors skill wise and decision making and then we lost a bit of confidence, I think.
“Then the Dogs started to feed off that and got reward with an early goal in the last quarter which maybe just got us a bit nervous again.”
One bright spot for the Blues was the performance of second-gamer Mimi Hill, who finished with 19 touches.
“Without her I reckon we lose by six goals tonight, particularly early in the night she saved us a lot,” Harford said.
“She’s a terrific kid and works her backside off and when you invest your first pick in a kid you want to make sure they can contribute pretty quickly and Mim’s been terrific in that.
“I thought her game tonight was full of leadership and almost played beyond her years tonight the way she covered off and helped out when by rights she shouldn’t have had to, but she did.”
SCOREBOARD
WESTERN BULLDOGS 6.6 (42)
CARLTON 5.6 (36)
Goals
Western Bulldogs: McLeod 2, Blackburn 2, Fitzgerald, Huntington
Carlton: Harris 2, Gee, Loynes, O’Dea
Best
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn, Lamb, Fitzgerald, McLeod
Carlton: Prespakis, Gee, Hill, Egan
Injuries
Western Bulldogs: Bailey Hunt (calf)
Carlton: nil
Crowd: 3479
‘I’ve hated them’: Rising Star braces for fiery Sydney Derby
A big week is about to get even bigger for Greater Western Sydney young gun Kaitlyn Srhoj after she received this week’s AFLW Rising Star nomination ahead of her first Sydney Derby.
AFLW: Thrilling post-siren draw, Crows and Roos flex muscle
The top three of the AFLW in Adelaide, North Melbourne and St Kilda all had victories on a day that seperated the best from the rest. Plus the Suns and Giants played out a thrilling draw.