“Congrats to the men’s team, (they) really hyped us up today,” Brisbane Lions match winner Taylor Smith told Fox after their nail-biting AFLW win over Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.
It was a match that felt like a final as the two top-four sides, and two most successful sides in AFLW history, went head-to-head in front of a bumper crowd at Brighton Homes Arena in Brisbane.
Taylor Smith of the Lions celebrates kicking a goal.Credit: Getty Images
It was two late goals, through Smith and Dakota Davidson, in the final two and a half minutes that delivered the Lions victory from the jaws of defeat, 5.5 (35) to 5.3 (33).
When Smith, a ruck and goalkicker, put through her first goal, she made a “Big O” shape with her hands in celebration for Oscar McInerney. The men’s player who missed out on a premiership medal through injury is a ruck coach for the women’s team.
The Lions are now the reigning premiers of both the men’s and women’s competitions, and the AFLW side are making a strong case to go back-to-back again this year.
Anne Hatchard was brilliant for Adelaide with 27 possessions, eight clearances and a goal, and she almost took mark of the year as she flew over a pack, but couldn’t hang on to the ball.
The Bulldogs find some bite
Things were looking bleak for the Western Bulldogs after they lost to the lowly GWS by 63 points in round one, and then to Port Adelaide by 40 points the next week. Some pundits questioned if they’d get a victory this year, especially after they fell to West Coast in round three by 11 points.
But those critics were silenced on Friday night when the Dogs claimed back-to-back wins after beating Sydney by seven points the night before the men’s grand final. So yes, a pretty bad weekend for Swans supporters all round.
The Bulldogs’ win followed their comprehensive defeat of the then-winless Collingwood last Sunday by 42 points.
What’s different for the Dogs? Some confidence, to start with. They are a young side with limited collective game time. Elaine Grigg, for example, one of their best players, has just six games under her belt. Winger Jasmyn Smith, who they recruited from Gold Coast in the off-season, has just 11.
With every game they’re building crucial experience in the systems of new coach Tam Hyett.
While reaching the finals would be a hard endeavour from here, especially as they have tough matches coming up including the rampant North Melbourne next, there are plenty of positives building this season.
Kangaroos remain undefeated, but they’re showing signs of weakness
North Melbourne skipper Emma Kearney felt her hamstring go as she tried to soccer the ball off the ground in the opening minutes of their game against Richmond in Launceston on Sunday.
Kearney immediately came off the ground and was taken out of the game, with the club sweating on scans to determine the extent of her injury.
Collingwood star Sarah Rowe said it was a massive loss for the Kangaroos, as Kearney leads by example and directs her side, which remains undefeated but not without some flaws.
“She’s so important in starting the chains off half-back,” added Rowe on Fox Footy.
Making things worse were the tough conditions at UTAS Stadium – horribly wet with puddles across the deck, making the ball slippery and ground sludgy.
Bella Eddey of the Kangaroos in action against the Tigers at UTAS Stadium in Tasmania.Credit: Getty Images
While the Kangaroos kept their spot atop the ladder with their two-goal victory over the Tigers, they are starting to show some weak spots in their game they’ll be looking to address.
Last week they claimed a resounding 36-point victory over Port Adelaide, yet despite the commanding winning margin, they didn’t score a goal in the second half. Fox commentator Chyloe Kurdas said it “absolutely” was a concern they were held to just one behind in the second half.
“If you want to contend (for) a premiership, you need to be able to play four quarters,” she said on the broadcast.
On Sunday, Richmond held them goalless in the first quarter and to just the three majors at the final siren. The Tigers are strong this season and look set to play finals, but the Kangaroos are going to need to sharpen up if they want to make it back to the grand final.
Magpies on the board after woeful 0-5 start, Dees tumble
It was a fourth-quarter goal from Imogen Barnett, the only major of the term against Gold Coast, that eased some of Collingwood’s woes to clinch their first win of the year. It was just a three-point victory, but a vital four points secured at Punt Road on the men’s grand final eve.
They are one of three sides who’ve been hit hard by injuries and have needed to bring in VFLW top-up players just to be able to field the required 24-player teams. Melbourne are another, with the Demons going down to Essendon on Saturday by a whopping 65 points. It was the most they have ever lost by, as well as the Bombers’ biggest winning margin.
Collingwood players take a selfie after their first win of the season.Credit: Getty Images
The Demons are without a slew of stars, including Tayla Harris, Eden Zanker, Lauren Pearce, Blaithin Mackin and Olivia Purcell. After claiming the premiership two seasons ago and finishing second on the ladder last season, it appears the Demons are set to miss finals with just the one win at the halfway mark of their 2024 campaign.
The Bombers’ comprehensive win was just their second of the season. While they showed many positive signs, including holding their structure and system for four quarters while being able to hit the scoreboard, they are going to have to get moving if they want to reach the finals.
On the other side of the Magpies’ win was the Suns, who continue to languish at the bottom of the ladder with just two points to their name from a draw with GWS earlier in the year. They sit 18th, while the Demons are 16th, one rung above the Magpies.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.