AFLW: North Melbourne, Richmond and Brisbane Lions show their premiership credentials
North Melbourne, Richmond and Brisbane Lions showed the gulf in class between the AFLW’s best and the rest on a drama-packed day which included a match delayed by lightning.
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North Melbourne continued its undefeated run thanks to a Jasmine Garner masterclass as the Roos held brave but outclassed Bulldogs side goalless in wet conditions.
Despite a first half arm-wrestle, the Kangaroos made light work of their opponents after the main break, outscoring them 35-0 as they ran away to a 55-point victory.
Garner has averaged almost 28 disposals per game this season, but was held to just two touches of the footy in the first term.
But the 30-year-old wasn’t going to be stopped from there and worked her way into the game to finish with 20 disposals, three clearances and two goals in the pouring rain.
“It was a lot of fun, the wet weather keeps following us but it was enjoyable that we got the win,” she said.
“We look forward to the break this week, hopefully get a good few solid sessions in.”
Emma King and Niamh Martin kicked two majors for the Roos, while the Western Bulldogs only managed minor scores on the day.
Ash Riddell (26 disposals, six clearances, one goal) gave her forwards plenty of opportunity with her penetrating kick out of the stoppage.
While Isabelle Pritchard (18 disposals, seven clearances) and Jess Fitzgerald (15 disposals, nine tackles) were the pick of the bunch for the Bulldogs.
DEFENCE IS THE BEST OFFENCE
Libby Birch was a huge factor in the first half, helping North Melbourne effectively turn defence into offence.
Birch had 11 disposals in the first half which included four intercept possessions and three marks.
But Birch’s ability to generate four score involvements from defence was key to the Kangaroos holding the upper hand in the contest.
Her impressive disposal efficiency of 83 per cent gave her side some great opportunities to transition the ball with speed.
The Bulldogs had repeat entries in the first term but couldn’t find any forward 50 targets, as North Melbourne controlled the play with their intercept marking (6-0).
The Dogs’ efficiency inside 50 was a measly 17.6 per cent at half time, showing their struggles.
The rain is tumbling down but it's not stopping Jas Garner 💪#AFLWNorthDogspic.twitter.com/paNfTg9RSz
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 5, 2024
BULLDOG CASUALTIES
Captain Deanna Berry (illness) and Lauren Ahrens (foot) were both ruled out of the game early in the second half.
The pair combine for over 100 games of experience and are two of Bulldogs’ most experienced players.
As conditions worsened and the rain bucketed down, being down two rotations also hurt the Bulldogs as they ran out of steam in the second half.
MISSED CHANCES
Had the Kangaroos kicked straight in the first quarter, it could’ve been game over, but the home side left the door ajar for the Bulldogs.
While they did enough to take a 15-point lead into the first break, spraying some very gettable shots at goal meant they kicked 2.5 instead of 5.2.
In fairness, the Bulldogs generated plenty of pressure early controlling the territory battle for the first part of the game and led the clearances 5-2 at quarter time.
Western Bulldogs isn’t the cleanest ball-using team in the competition or the most dominant around stoppage but has showed great heart and pressure in recent games, culminating in back-to-back victories before today.
The Dogs also missed some opportunities to finish goalless with 0.4 in front of the big sticks.
GOOD SIGNS
If you’d told Tam Highett that her side would lead the benchmark-side of the competition in clearances (13-10) and inside 50s (18-15) at half time, she would be very happy.
The inspired brand of football that the youthful Dogs were playing in the first half reflected the way they have performed recently.
Having no Ellie Blackburn in the engine room to battle against the best midfield duo in the competition, Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell would normally be very worrying.
But it was Isabelle Pritchard (nine disposals, three clearances) and Jess Fitzgerald (seven disposals, five tackles) who led the way in the first half.
Despite trailing by 20 points at halftime, the Western Bulldogs managed to bring it right up to the premiership favourites before the scoreboard and the heavens opened up in the second half.
SCOREBOARD
ROOS 2.5, 3.6, 6.8, 8.11 (59)
DOGS 0.2, 0.4, 0.4, 0.4 (4)
BEST
Roos: Garner, Riddell, M.King, Martin, Craven
Dogs: Pritchard, Fitzgerald, Edmonds, Carruthers, Georgostathis, Gorham
GOALS
Roos: Martin, King, Garner 2, Riddell, Randall
Dogs: nil
INJURIES Roos: nil Dogs: Deanna Berry (illness), Lauren Ahrens (foot).
Attendance 2457
LIONS STAMP AUTHORITY TO ALL BUT END BLUES’ FINALS HOPES
— Ronny Lerner
Carlton’s AFLW finals hopes are all but dashed after they slumped to their fourth straight loss on Saturday night, this time to the rampaging Brisbane Lions by 55 points at Princes Park.
Save for a 10-minute period at the start of the match, the gulf in class, skill and quality was glaringly obvious all night long as the Blues were ruthlessly torn to shreds.
The 9.14 (68) to 1.7 (13) result saw the Blues fall to a 2-5 record - their equal-worst start to a season - and to be any chance of making the finals, they will have to win their last four games.
Ten days after they were given a football lesson by premiership favourite North Melbourne, to the tune of 69 points, Carlton received another reality check from a flag contender in the form of Brisbane who are looking every chance of defending their crown this year.
Two of Carlton’s four biggest-ever losses have now occurred in their last three games, which will ensure the pressure continues to build on their second-year coach Mathew Buck.
Under his watch, the Blues have lost their last four matches by an average of 48 points. In that period, they’ve managed just five goals.
Carlton could drop to the bottom four by the end of the weekend and look on track to miss the finals for a fifth season in a row.
A bit of relief for the Blues with Breann Moody kicking their first.#AFLWBluesLionspic.twitter.com/42h2ciDkfc
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 5, 2024
BRISBANE SUPERIORITY ON SHOW
Meanwhile, the Lions have moved up to second on the ladder, after stringing together six wins in a row for the first time in two years.
Carlton stood no chance against such a high-calibre team as Brisbane smashed the Blues at centre clearances (11-2), dominated the tackles (99-75) despite also having 20 more disposals (243-223), and they led the contested possessions by a massive 34 (107-73) at three-quarter time.
Charlotte Mullins was excellent for the winners, registering 23 disposals, while Belle Dawes (15 and a goal), Ellie Hampson (nine and two) and Breanna Koenen (16 and 10 rebounds 50s), who did a great job on Carlton spearhead Darcy Vescio, all played major roles in ending the contest inside the first half.
LIONS ASSUME CONTROL
Carlton started brighter with seven of the first nine inside 50s and five of the first six tackles, but for all their toil could only manage two behinds, including a missed set shot directly in front from Breann Moody.
Dawes made Moody pay with a goal against the run of play, and it shifted the momentum Brisbane’s way as they helped themselves to all five first-half majors.
The visitors asserted their authority by ramping up the pressure and dominating the territory battle, at one stage stringing together 12 forward entries in a row, to lead by 33 points at the main break.
Carlton shot themselves in the foot with frequent skill errors, namely their woeful forward efficiency and delivery, and were burnt by Brisbane on the counterattack multiple times.
Brisbane didn’t let up in the second half with 10 scoring shots to three, but their inaccuracy (4.6) spared Carlton an even heavier loss.
It bounced perfectly for Hampson 🙌#AFLWBluesLionspic.twitter.com/Us6QISRzvF
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 5, 2024
POUND PRESENT FOR SVARC
The play that summed up Carlton’s night came early in the final quarter when Gab Pound’s kick-in went straight to Cathy Svarc who gleefully accepted the pass and kicked the ball back over Pound’s head for another Brisbane major.
HAMPSON ON TARGET
Just like in the first quarter, an off-target Carlton set shot from Ciara Fitzgerald early in the second was swiftly punished down the other end of the ground when Hampson’s magnificent attempt from 40m on a 45-degree angle bounced home to put Brisbane 27 points up.
WASTEFUL BLUES
The Blues continued to pepper the goal face in the second quarter, but were their own worst enemies with another pair of set shots in front squandered by Meg Robertson and Vescio, while Robertson also sprayed her shot on the run from 20m out across the face for no score.
SCOREBOARD
CARLTON 0.2, 0.5, 1.5, 1.7 (13)
BRIS.LIONS 1.4, 5.8, 6.11, 9.14 (68)
RONNY LERNER’S BEST
Blues: Sherar, Hill, Guerin, Cordner.
Lions: Mullins, Dawes, Hampson, Koenen, Anderson, Grider, Conway.
GOALS
Blues: B.Moody.
Lions: Hampson 2, Dawes, Smith, Hodder, Mullins, Davidson, Conway, C.Svarc.
INJURIES Blues: Hendrie (foot). Lions: Nil.
UMPIRES Whetton, Ball, Pearson.
TBC at Princes Park
TIGERS ROAR INTO TOP TWO AFTER DRAMA-PACKED WIN
— Blair Burns
Richmond has surged into second spot on the AFLW ladder after holding off a full-strength Collingwood side by 36 points in wild weather conditions at Punt Road.
While a 46-minute half-time break had the potential to halt the Tigers’ momentum, Richmond came out with conviction on the way to securing its fifth win of the season, 7.4 (46) to 1.4 (10).
It was the usual suspects for Richmond as dynamic duo Mon Conti (29 disposals, seven tackles, seven clearances) and Ellie McKenzie (18 disposals, seven tackles, seven clearances, two goals) led the way.
The pair had a huge say in the outcome of the game and competed against the entire Magpies’ team in the clearance count just losing (14-23).
Richmond controlled the play across the ground from the outset, winning clearances (+10), inside 50s (+21) and tackles (+15).
The rain didn’t dampen the Tigers’ spirits as Caitlin Greiser booted a great goal in her 50th game, while a classy roving goal from Eilish Sheerin was the perfect birthday present for the midfielder, who added a second in the dying stages of the game.
Tigers ruck Tam Luke made the conditions look dry, clunking four marks and making an impact on the scoreboard with two goals.
Collingwood captain Brianna Davey (17 disposals, seven tackles) was a huge inclusion for her side, combining in the contest with Britt Bonnici (23 disposals, 11 tackles).
Ruby Schleicher (21 disposals, five clearances) produced plenty of run out of the defence while Sarah Rowe (28 disposals, eight intercept possessions) had another impressive performance.
How good is this!
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 5, 2024
These fans are dancing in the rain while waiting for play to continue 🕺#AFLWTigersPiespic.twitter.com/JrJF1xGhAk
LIGHTNING DELAY
The halftime break went for more than half an hour after lightning within a 10km distance forced officials to postpone the match.
The half-time break is generally 14 minutes, but it ended up being 46 minutes before play resumed.
The inclement Melbourne weather kept away for the first half but the dark storm clouds slowly crept towards the Swinburne Centre, causing a lightning delay as the sides went into the main break.
The game was initially postponed indefinitely, before a re-start time of 4.36pm was announced - the rest of the game was played without any further interruptions.
MAGNIFICENT MCKENZIE MAKES MARK
During a rare interview in 2021, Richmond superstar Dustin Martin described Ellie McKenzie as “a jet”.
It was high praise for a teenager in her first year and while McKenzie had some injury struggles in the seasons following, she is now back playing her best footy and living up to Martin’s description.
Eight disposals (four contested), two goals and seven tackles before half-time helped Richmond to a 14-point lead before the game was delayed due to lightning.
The 21-year-old showed that her ball-winning ability and impressive football IQ isn’t all that she brings to the side, as she added scoring threat to the resume.
McKenzie was the benefactor of a dart kick inside 50 from Charley Ryan, which McKenzie went back and put through the big sticks, followed by a special handshake celebration.
In the second quarter, she again found herself in a dangerous spot in the forward line as Caitlin Greiser hit her with a short kick – which led to another set shot goal.
McKenzie said she was loving her footy and her team was out to “prove themselves” this season.
“I’m just enjoying my footy at the moment, obviously last year I had a lot of time off and sort of missed that season,” she said.
“It just made my hunger grow more and more … we didn’t have the year we wanted last year so we’re really trying to put our foot down.”
Head of women’s football Kate Sheahan said McKenzie was a “future leader” of the Richmond Football Club.
“She’s just a star, I think everyone who loves AFLW wants to watch players like Ellie,” she said.
“She can go left and right; she’s kicked some goals today which is great to see but that’s off the back of her pressure and tackles.”
WELCOME BACK BUTLER
It had been 349 long days since Lauren Butler’s last game for the Pies with soft-tissue injuries restricting her to the sidelines this season.
Butler gave her side a lift kicking Collingwood’s first and only goal after she was awarded with a free kick off the ball.
Richmond’s Rebecca Miller gave Butler a bump from behind which saw the 23-year-old awarded with a free kick about 20 metres out, almost directly in front.
Two goals for Tamara Luke!#AFLWTigersPiespic.twitter.com/JCl7yKCaNB
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 5, 2024
There didn’t appear to be a lot in it, but Butler took her chance and kicked the first major for her side, reducing the margin back to a single point in the first quarter.
Just moments later, another feel-good story in Richmond’s Tam Luke took a strong contested mark and gave the Tigers a quick reply.
Luke was lured out of retirement as a replacement player after Montana McKinnon’s season-ending knee injury and has been a revelation for the Tigers.
It was just the second goal of the 36-year-old’s career, but she made it a special one as she kicked it straight through the big sticks - she added her third career goal later in the game.
SCOREBOARD
TIGERS 1.2, 3.3, 5.3, 7.4 (46)
PIES 0.0, 1.1, 1.4, 1.4 (10)
BEST
Tigers: Conti, McKenzie, Lavey, Dempsey, Sheerin, Luke
Pies: Rowe, Davey, Schleicher, Bonnici, Frederick, Cann
GOALS
Tigers: Sheerin, Luke, McKenzie 2, Greiser
Pies: Butler
INJURIES Tigers: nil. Pies: nil.
Attendance 1742
Swinburne Centre, Melbourne
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
BLAIR BURNS’ VOTES
3 Mon Conti (RICH)
2 Ellie McKenzie (RICH)
1 Sarah Rowe (COLL)
Originally published as AFLW: North Melbourne, Richmond and Brisbane Lions show their premiership credentials
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