AFLW 2021: Results and news from Round 8
Melbourne managed to hold on despite a defiant comeback from Fremantle, securing a spot in the AFLW finals in the process. AFLW WRAP
Fast-starting Melbourne have locked in an AFLW finals berth, withstanding a trademark Fremantle second-half charge to claim a five-point win in sweltering heat at Fremantle Oval on Sunday.
Melbourne won 5.7 (37) to Fremantle’s 4.8(32) in a thrilling match which had significant finals implications for both sides.
The Demons led by as much as 27 points early in the second but the Dockers hit back with four second-half goals to hit the lead in the last.
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Melbourne showed resolve to respond after falling behind, finding another goal after a 50m penalty enabled skipper Daisy Pearce to find Maddison Gay who kicked truly.
Dees onballer Karen Paxman was outstanding again with 24 disposals, while Rising Star nominee Eliza McNamara had 20 and kicked one goal.
Melbourne moves to fifth with a 6-2 record, confirming their second AFLW finals campaign after making the last six in 2020, while Fremantle missed the chance to return to top spot, slipping to fourth.
CRAFTY DAISY
Melbourne flew out of the blocks with three first-quarter goals but only managed two more for the rest of the game, with Pearce involved in both.
With Freo having all the momentum and leading by a point in the last quarter, Pearce capitalized on Emma O’Driscoll’s error, giving away a 50m penalty, wasting no time to find Gay for the match-winner.
Fremantle dominated the second quarter but it was Pearce who managed the only goal of the term, swooping after O’Driscoll overran the ball.
The wily 32-year-old, playing predominantly forward this year, dribbled the shot through with the aid of a fortunate bounce.
HORE DOMINATES FIRST HALF
All Australian Kate Hore put on a clinic in the opening half, with the opening two goals of the game from similar set shots, as well as nine possessions.
The 25-year-old former basketballer set the tone and almost had three goals in the first term when her quick snap sailed through but was touched off the boot.
Melbourne’s leading goal kicker in 2021 also could’ve given her side a 28-point lead at the main break when she broke a tackle, took a bounce and shot on goal but her effort sailed marginally wide, which ultimately the Dees wouldn’t rue.
ROUX-BIRCH SCRAP
The match heated up a few notches in intensity after Fremantle closed to within two goals with 10 seconds left in the third quarter from Roxy Roux’s goal.
But it was Roux’s reaction which sparked further tension as she demonstratively pointed at her direct opponent Libby Birch followed by a verbal exchange immediately after kicking the major.
Birch reacted angrily, with Freo froward Gemma Houghton attempting to diffuse the situation by getting between the pair as players from both sides streamed in on a melee.
The verbal stoush continued between Roux and Birch upon the three-quarter time siren, although the Docker kept her mouth shut when she booted her second early in the last.
SCOREBOARD
FREMANTLE 0.1 0.5 2.7 4.8 (32)
MELBOURNE 3.2 4.5 4.7 5.7 (37)
GOALS
Fremantle: Roux 2, O’Sullivan, Houghton
Melbourne: Hore 2, D.Pearce, McNamara, Gay
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Melbourne: Goldrick (hamstring)
EMPHATIC CROWS RESPONSE CLINCHES FINALS BERTH
Adelaide is headed to the AFLW finals after a convincing win over Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval confirmed a spot in the top six.
The Crows needed a response to the poor performance against Melbourne the previous week and they dominated from the outset to triumph by 56 points.
A top two finish and the double chance in the finals is still a possibility, although the Crows would need results of other games in the final minor round to fall their way.
The Bulldogs, needing a win to keep their slim finals hopes alive, were unable to cope with the relentless pressure of the home side.
CROWS LIFT
The Crows were extremely disappointing in the loss to Melbourne in the previous round, putting just 15 points on the scoreboard. And they were smashed in the inside 50 count.
What a difference a week makes. The Crows nailed two goals inside three minutes and compiled 19 points in the first quarter.
The home side had 11 visits inside their 50 compared to only three for the Bulldogs.
Such was the early dominance of the Crows, they went inside 50 seven times before the Bulldogs had their first after almost nine minutes.
It took almost eight minutes for the Bulldogs to go forward of centre, and only just before the ball was repelled by the Crows.
PRESSURE RELENTLESS
The Bulldogs’ strength in recent weeks has been the impressive form of the backline, led by Katie Lynch, who played in attack for Collingwood before switching clubs this season.
But the defence was put under enormous pressure by the tackling pressure of the Crows forwards and struggled to find a clean avenue to move the ball.
In fact, the Crows pressure all over the ground in the first half to set up a commanding 33-point lead was outstanding.
The Bulldogs had problems moving the ball forward of centre and the Crows took advantage of turnovers with quick transition into the 50.
CLEAR WINNER
Another headache for the Crows against the Demons was the clearances and ruck Rhiannon Metcalfe was recalled to support Caitlin Gould.
It proved an extremely positive move with Metcalfe on top in the first half when the Crows set up the win. She amassed 13 of the side’s 17 hitouts in a dominate display, nine more than the Bulldogs, and added to her game with eight possessions.
LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES
Former No. 1 draft pick Izzy Huntington has been a potent weapon in attack for the Bulldogs this season.
Her first couple of seasons were hampered by injuries, but last year she was named an All Australian defender. Moved back to attack this season, Huntington led the league for contested marks.
However, opportunities were limited for her against the Crow because of the opposition pressure making life difficult for the Bulldogs getting the ball into attack.
Huntington had just three disposals in the first three quarters, although two contested marks were evidence of her class.
SCOREBOARD
CROWS 3.1 7.312.6 (78)
BULLDOGS 1.0 2.0 3.4 (22)
BEST
Crows: Marinoff, Hatchard, Metcalfe, Scheer, Charlton, Martin.
Bulldogs: Blackburn, Lochland, Lynch, Toogood.
GOALS
Crows: Scheer 3, Woodland, Gould 2, Jones, Phillips, Martin, Randall, Button.
Bulldogs: Toogood 2, Lamb.
VENUE Norwood Oval
TIGERS NOTCH 57-YEAR FIRST AT PUNT RD
Richmond enjoyed another first in its eight-point win against West Coast – a first AFLW win at Punt Rd.
For much of the early part of the season the Tigers looked set for another winless year, but since obliterating Geelong in Round 5 for their first win Ryan Ferguson’s side has come on in leaps and bounds.
After a dominant first half it looked like Richmond was set for an easy afternoon at the office, but as Ferguson warned at quarter time the momentum was always going to shift at some point.
That moment came a minute into the third quarter when the Eagles kicked their first of the day on their way to three goals in the term to Richmond’s one.
It set up a thrilling last quarter, and West Coast got to within a straight kick of Richmond four minutes in, but the bruised and battered Eagles ran out of legs to fall just shy of a remarkable comeback.
It was Richmond’s first win in almost 57 years at Punt Rd and Dustin Martin’s favourite AFLW player Ellie McKenzie’s star continued to rise with 22 touches and 330m gained.
“I didn’t know that stat but to have all the fans down here and get the win I’m absolutely stoked,” McKenzie told Channel 7.
“For us it’s been a big thing to play four quarters and I don’t think we came out after halftime and played our best so we need to work on that for next week.
“But credit to West Coast they were a tough team to play against.”
McKenzie said her first year in AFLW after being drafted with the first pick had been a success.
“There was pressure coming into the season, but I was really lucky to come into a club that was really supportive and they got around me,” she said.
“I think for me I’m just trying to focus on playing good footy and having fun.”
STAHL-ISH FORWARD
Tayla Stahl had a hand in everything for Richmond as it burst out of the blocks to a commanding quarter-time lead.
The 26-year-old had four goals to her name coming into Sunday’s game, but within the first four minutes had kicked two.
Stahl was by far the most influential player on the ground as the Tigers burst out to a 13-point lead at the first change.
Along with her two goals, Stahl collected seven touches as Richmond pumped 11 balls inside 50 to the Eagles’ two.
THE KELLY GANG
When West Coast needed someone to keep them in it in the first half, it was Niamh Kelly.
When West Coast needed someone with a bit of polish around goals to pull them back on the scoreboard, it was Grace Kelly.
Niamh Kelly might be the most courageous player in AFLW and if you were to judge off Sunday’s game alone, she’d win that award by the length of the Flemington straight.
At the 15-minute mark of the third quarter the 25-year-old Irishwoman sprinted back with the flight of the ball and launched herself into oncoming traffic to take one of the marks of the season.
Her sister Grace only needed a minute in the third quarter to kick the Eagles’ first for the game and get her side going.
FREDERICK BACK AT HOME
Sabrina Frederick looks to have found a new home in Richmond’s defence after playing most of the season as a forward.
The 24-year-old had two intercepts and five touches in the first term and alongside Sarah D’Arcy made sure the Eagles were starved of attacking opportunities.
D’Arcy, in her first year at the Tigers after coming across from Collingwood, had a game-high four intercepts in the first quarter and finished with eight for the game.
SCOREBOARD
TIGERS 2.2 3.6 4.9 5.12 42
EAGLES 0.1 0.2 3.3 5.4 34
GOALS
Tigers: Stahl 2, Brennan 2, Bernardi
Eagles: Bowen 2, Kelly, Cameron, Pope
BEST
Tigers: McKenzie, Conti, Stahl, Brennan, D’Arcy
Eagles: Bowen, N.Kelly, Ward, Pope, Collier
INJURIES
Tigers: Nil
Eagles: Aisling McCarthy (thigh), Maddy Collier (cheek)
PIES TURN UP BLOWTORCH ON TOP TWO
Brianna Davey has roared back into form to help Collingwood back onto the winners list, with a 46-point win over St Kilda keeping the Magpies in top-two calculations.
Following her uncharacteristically down performance against Brisbane last week, Davey (23 disposals) and midfield partner Britt Bonnici (29 disposals) were superb as the Pies notched a healthy percentage boost heading into their final game of the season against fellow finals contenders Adelaide.
Aliesha Newman also hit the scoreboard, kicking three goals, and Chloe Molloy chipped in with two herself while Ruby Schleicher (23 disposals) was at her brilliant best alongside the returning Ash Brazill, who was playing her first game since rupturing her ACL last February.
“We knew we were going to have come out hard,” Schleicher told Channel 7 after the game.
“It was just a game where we had to do it for each other. Of course Brazzy (Brazill) was going to be nervous coming into her first game but we just had to have each other’s backs and I think it showed out there.”
The win momentarily places Collingwood into the top two as the Pies mount pressure on Fremantle and Melbourne.
The Magpies’ response to last week’s loss was obvious from the opening bounce as Newman cleverly slotted two goals in a matter of minutes.
St Kilda was able to stem the flow with Jessica Matin kicking her first career goal, but Molloy’s late major stretched the Pies’ lead to 15 at the first break.
Collingwood’s midfield continued to dominate the Saints and was complimented by the efforts of Schleicher, who added energy off half-back, while Jaimee Lambert added the solitary goal of the second term.
Georgia Patrikios (29 disposals) battled on for the Saints but was unable to combat the Magpies firepower as the Pies put the game beyond doubt in the third term thanks to goals from Sharni Norder and Joanna Lin.
Newman and Molloy added their fourth and second respectively in the final term as the Pies closed out the win in style.
PIES BACK IN BUSINESS
This was the perfect response for Steve Symonds’ charges.
After a heartbreaking defeat against Brisbane, the Pies bounced back in style and played with their usual confidence and swagger.
St Kilda was unable to match it with Magpies’ powerful midfield, which has been almost unstoppable throughout the season as they look to heap the pressure on the top two.
A huge finals tune-up awaits against Adelaide as the Pies look to secure the all-important week off.
PATRIKIOS A LONE HAND
Georgia Patrikios continues to stamp her claim as one of the competition’s best.
The youngster was a bright spark with 29 disposals on a tough afternoon for the Saints, who have faded badly after a promising start to the 2021 season.
Her form throughout 2021 has her in a position to win a second successive best-and-fairest.
BRAZILL IS BACK
After a year on the sidelines due to a devastating knee injury, Ash Brazill made her long-awaited return to the footy field.
After Collingwood lost Jordy Allen and Lauren Butler to season-ending injuries, the return of Brazill helps offset the double blow, adding class and poise to the Pies’ rock-solid back five.
“It actually feels really good having the year off and becoming a new mum and having a new lease on life has added to my career,” Brazill said.
“Playing with these girls makes it so much easier.”
Brazill had nine disposals and showcased her trademark dash with a lung-bursting run in the second-term.
SCOREBOARD
PIES: 3.3, 4.6, 6.6, 8.11 (59)
SAINTS: 1.0, 1.1, 1.1, 2.1 (13)
BEST
Pies: Davey, Bonnici, Newman, Schleicher, Lambert, Norder
Saints: Patrikios, White, Smith, McDonald, Dillon
GOALS
Pies: Newman 3, Molloy 2, Lambert, Norder, Lin
Saints: Matin, Vogt
FOUR IN A ROW FOR ROARING LIONS
Brisbane has celebrated their first-ever AFLW home game at the Gabba with a hard-fought 15-point triumph over fellow flag contender North Melbourne on Saturday.
The victory was Brisbane’s fourth in a row – the first time they have won four consecutive games since 2017 when they made the grand final – and underlined the Lions’ legitimate claims on the 2021 title.
After beating the previously undefeated Collingwood last week, the Lions put another highly-rated squad to the sword to record their seventh win from eight matches, while the Kangas fell to their third loss of the campaign.
Brisbane could have won by far more given they kicked a wasteful 4.11. However, a brilliant individual effort from Courtney Hodder sealed the premiership points for the Lions.
Late in the fourth quarter, Hodder courageously brought the ball to ground in a marking contest, swooped on the loose Sherrin in traffic, dodged and weaved to get into space and snapped truly.
Brisbane kicked clear with two majors in the third term with a Jess Wuetschner crumbing effort and a Sophie Conway kick off the outside of the right boot handing the Lions a 10-point buffer at the last change.
North took the lead early in the third quarter when Daisy Bateman pounced on a costly Brisbane turnover deep in defence.
After a goalless second quarter, Brisbane led by four points and would have been lamenting a host of missed opportunities.
The Lions dominated field position and possession in the second term but were unable to kick truly in front of goal after leading the inside 50 count 15-7.
North Melbourne led by a solitary point at quarter-time after Sophie Abbatangelo snuck through a dribble kick to counter the major from Lions key forward Dakota Davidson from the same pocket in the Gabba that was Jonathan Brown’s happy hunting ground.
LIONS MASTER STOPPER
Lions tagger Cathy Svarc is quickly establishing herself as one of the best AFLW’s ‘run-with’ players. Svarc was sent to North Melbourne’s Jasmine Garner who was averaging almost 22 touches per game. By quarter-time, Garner had not touched the ball once. And Garner had just the four disposals by halftime and nine by the last change. She finished with 14.
THE GABBA... AT LAST
The Gabba became the sixth venue in Queensland to host an AFLW match. It should have been handed its AFLW stripes four years ago when Brisbane won the right to host the inaugural grand final which was moved to the Gold Coast due to a few rough patches on the turf after an Adele concert.
WHAT WOULD THE CHIEF SAY?
AFL legend Jason Dunstall would have been fuming when North Melbourne’s Daria Bannister chose to go with a dribble kick instead of drop punt when she was running into an open goal in the fourth quarter when the Kangas were still in the hunt. The dribble kick skidded across the Gabba turf for a behind when she could have run further and chosen a more conventional avenue to goal.
FINALS PREVIEW
Finishing positions inside the top six and finals hosting rights will be decided next week when the Lions take on Melbourne and North clash with Fremantle. All four clubs are finals bound and the Round 9 matches could serve as major round previews.
SCOREBOARD
BRISBANE 1.2 1.8 3.9 4.11 (35)
NORTH MELBOURNE 1.3 1.4 2.5 2.8 (20)
GOALS
Brisbane: Davidson, Wuetschner, Conway, Hodder
North Melbourne: Abbatangelo, Bateman
INJURIES
Brisbane: Campbell (head)
North Melbourne: Nil
CATS STILL WINLESS DESPITE STRONG RESPONSE
Geelong’s winless 2021 has continued as GWS kept their slim finals hopes alive in a gutsy seven-point win on the road.
The Giants were led brilliantly by star midfielder Alyce Parker (25 disposals, five inside 50s) who continued her stellar campaign and helped the visitors wrestle control in the second lowest scoring game in AFLW history.
Parker said post-game that she felt her side were unable to match the Cats’ ferocious start around the contest.
“I think the first-half we were second to the ball, so our contested numbers were a bit down,” Parker told Fox Footy.
“Second half we brought it to them and we played tough and we were first to the footy which is why we held on.”
Both sides were unable to gain any ascendancy early in a hotly contested opening quarter, as Haneen Zreika and former Giant Phoebe McWilliams traded scores at either end.
The Cats midfield were matching the Giants strong in-and-under game throughout the opening half but were unable to cap off the superb work of both Amy and Meghan McDonald on the scoreboard.
Ever-green Giants forward Cora Staunton continued to showcase her class in-front of goal slotting home her first to give GWS a slender lead at the major break which turned to be the eventual matchwinner.
Desperate defending from Maddy McMahon kept Geelong in the game despite going scoreless in the third as the Giants took over in the middle.
However, their forward-line couldn’t create any breathing space from their gutsy opponents as Zreika in particular missed a golden opportunity from point-blank range.
As both sides began to tire, chances were at the premium in the final term as Rochelle Cranston’s late burst came without the reward as the Giants defence held firm late.
Unfortunately for the Cats, the loss was compounded by Denby Taylor succumbing to a nasty looking shoulder injury in the first-term.
GWS will need to beat Carlton next week by a healthy margin along with a multitude of other factors to go their way in order to keep their finals hopes alive.
GIANTS FINALS HOPES ALIVE?
Where there is a will, there’s a way.
GWS’ second straight win has kept their slimmest of finals hopes alive as they close the gap to only four points from sixth placed Melbourne.
However, their low percentage and reliance on a series of different factors means the chances of sneaking in are extremely unlikely heading into their final game against fellow four-win side Carlton - who are also looking to sneak in.
CATS FIERY RESPONSE
2021 has not been an easy season for Geelong.
Following yet another sapping defeat to the Eagles on Monday, the Cats’ response was evident matching GWS’ ferocious effort around the contest – tallying 66 tackles to GWS’ 53 for the game.
Despite the loss, Paul Hood can take a lot of positives heading into their final game against fellow winless side Gold Coast next-week as both sides look to end the season on a high.
ZIPPY ZREIKA
Haneen Zreika is going to be featured on plenty of highlight reels for years to come.
The 21-year-old was her ever dangerous self, cleverly slotting a goal from a tight angle to kick the Giants’ first of the game while being a constant threat up forward.
We can expect more of those brilliant finishes as she continues to grow into one of the competition’s most electric small forwards.
Adding to the occasion, Zreika’s family attended the game and created a little fan-club for the Giants forward.
“It means the world to me to do what I love and have the support of my family,” Zreika told Fox Footy after the game.
SCOREBOARD
CATS: 1.1, 1.2, 1.2, 1.3 (9)
GIANTS: 1.1, 2.1, 2.4, 2.4 (16)
BEST
Cats: A.McDonald, M.McDonald, McMahon, Crockett-Grills, Gardiner, Webster
Giants: Taylor, Bennetts, Beeson, Staunton, Eva, Zreika, Tully
GOALS
Cats: McWilliams
Giants: Zreika, Staunton
INJURIES
Cats: Taylor (shoulder)
Giants: Nil
REPORTS
Cats: Nil
Giants: Tully (sling tackle)
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
VESCIO’S FANTASTIC FIVE KEEPS BLUES IN FINALS HUNT
Carlton star Darcy Vescio kept the Blues in the hunt for an AFLW finals berth with an outstanding individual performance in the 60-point win over the Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Friday night.
Vescio booted five goals in a forward master class to go to the top of the competition’s goalkicking standings for 2021 while also surpassing Adelaide’s Erin Phillips as the AFLW’s all-time leading goal kicker.
Carlton’s total of 13.9 (87) was the highest ever score in an AFL game. The Blues now need to beat GWS next week and hope for a series of results to go their way if they are to play finals after Vescio did everything in her power to keep Carlton’s hopes afloat.
After the Suns kicked the first three goals of the match, Vescio kicked the next three herself to drag the Blues back into the contest and she continued to terrorise the Gold Coast.
Whether it was strong contested marks, sure set shots, clever snaps or working up the ground to create chances for teammates, Vescio was everywhere, doing everything. Her mark at the start of the fourth quarter was the highlight.
With a bit of luck, she could have had seven goals to her name.
Carlton started the match two wins and almost 28 per cent (108) behind the sixth-placed Melbourne. The Blues are now 4-4 after recording their biggest-ever AFLW win.
The Suns crumbled to their eighth loss from eight outings as they ran out of petrol after such a promising opening quarter.
Vescio kicked her fourth goal at the start of the third term and further majors to Lucy McEvoy, Nicola Stevens, Brooke Walker and Lauren Brazzale gave Carlton a commanding 33-point lead at the last change.
Carlton led by two points at halftime after a seesawing opening two quarters. The Suns got off to a red-hot start and established a 19-0 buffer after goals to Sam Virgo, Maddison Levi and Alison Drennan.
The Gold Coast were on top in contested possessions and tackles to highlight their early intent but Carlton stopped the rot with Vescio’s first goal late in the first quarter as the Suns took a 19-7 cushion into quarter-time.
Vescio continued her one-woman rampage after the break with two more goals including one major from a left-foot dribble kick under extreme pressure.
FADE OUT COULD PROVE COSTLY
The fourth quarter fade out against Freo could haunt Carlton for a long time. The Blues led the Dockers by 15 points with four minutes to play on Sunday but conceded three goals in a minute to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. What they would give to have that four minutes over again. They could miss the finals by the solitary win.
HORROR SEASON CONTINUES
The Suns are a young group who have had to endure a horror fixture in 2021 with five away games in a row but they have gone backwards after two wins and a draw in 2020. Eight losses from eight starts in 2021 is a disappointing result given the rays of sunshine in their debut campaign. They take on the winless Cats at Metricon Stadium next weekend to avoid the wooden spoon.
GOAL OF THE YEAR?
The Gold Coast’s Lucy Single put her hand up for a Goal of the Year nomination with multiple touches in a sweeping movement that started on the halfback flank and finished with her calmly slotting a running shot at goal.
SCOREBOARD
GOLD COAST 3.1 4.2 4.2 4.3 (27)
CARLTON 1.1 4.4 9.5 13.9 (87)
More Coverage
GOALS
Gold Coast: Virgo, Levi, Drennan, Single
Carlton: Vescio 5, Plane 2, McEvoy, Stevens, Walker, Brazzale, O’Dea, Moody
Originally published as AFLW 2021: Results and news from Round 8
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