AFLW Agenda: All the hits and misses from week ten

From some honest assessments on the 2024 non-finalists to the announcement of a night grand final, ELIZA REILLY runs through the hits and misses from Week 10.

From some honest assessments on the 2024 non-finalists to the announcement of a night grand final, ELIZA REILLY runs through the hits and misses from Week 10.

HITS

HOW DID HOUGHTON DO THAT?

Stand and deliver Gemma Houghton. Not only did the star key forward have the game resting on her boot when she lined up late in the fourth quarter against GWS, but she also Port Adelaide’s hopes of a home final. A maiden finals spot was already sewn up when Houghton took a pack mark among three Giants defenders with 90 seconds to play at Alberton Oval. Even the most optimistic Port Adelaide fan would’ve had their doubts considering that Houghton is running at a scoring accuracy of 43 per cent this season, often kicking the impossible ones but sometimes making a mess of her regulation chances.

Gemma Houghton came up clutch for Yartapuulti to book a home elimination final 😍

📺Watch #AFLWPowerGiants on Ch. 504 or stream via @kayosportshttps://t.co/4aQ9KanzYopic.twitter.com/ZaMlC8XB4H

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) November 3, 2024

That’s what makes Houghton equal parts exhilarating and frustrating to watch. But we love her for it. And when she had her moment, she took it, hooking it home from 40m out and sending the more than 4000 fans in attendance into pandemonium. Had Port lost, they would have been on the road this weekend to play Fremantle, coincidentally Houghton’s former side, in an elimination final. Instead, thanks to Houghton, Lauren Arnell’s side will make its finals debut in front of a boisterous home crowd. Never tear us apart.

CHAIR-OFF SEASON

The final round of the home and away season always brings mixed emotions. For eight teams, it marks the start of the real stuff as AFLW finals kick off around the country. But for 10 teams, the 2024 dream is over and it’ll be months until it’s time to make amends. Although for some players, it’s over entirely. On the weekend, we started to bid farewell to the retiring class of 2024. Melbourne ruck Rhiannon Watt comically announced her retirement during a mid-match interview with Fox Footy. Sydney forward Brooke Lochland had the chance to add one more goal to her career tally after the final siren against West Coast but pushed her set shot wide.

Brooke Lochland and Alana Woodward of the Swans are chaired off their last game. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Although the former Dog still holds the record for the most goals kicked in an AFLW game with 7.3 back in 2018. Carlton veteran Jess Dal Pos was a core member of VWFL powerhouse Darebin Falcons. Stacey Livingstone will forever be remembered as a rock-solid key defender and that one time she called Tayla Harris “useless” if stopped in the air. Steph Chiocci was the Magpies’ inaugural AFLW captain and held the role for seven years before switching to St Kilda. Eagle Evie Gooch and Swan Alana Woodward were also recognised at Henson Park on Saturday. The majority of them were involved in the bygone era of the AFLW, balancing their sporting pursuits with a full-time job. They did a lot of work to get the AFLW to where it is now and will be remembered fondly for their contributions.

NIGHT OF NIGHTS

The AFLW has always maintained a point of difference when it comes to the grand final, awarding the highest-ranked team hosting rights. So the decision to introduce a night grand final for the first time is another step towards embracing the unique nature of the league and creating certainty going forward. A night grand final means a big crowd, bustling atmosphere and prime-time television audience. But why stop there? This is a golden opportunity for the AFLW to create a showpiece event and start a legacy. Spend the money to pack the place out, wherever the grand final ends up. Advertise it to the hills. Secure a big-name pre-game entertainment act. Take the best parts of an AFL grand final and elevate them under lights. And if it works, move quickly to lock it in for future years. The only caveat is if this is the AFL’s sneaky attempt to condition the football public for a night men’s grand final in years to come. The AFLW has too often been used as a guinea pig with the introduction of ball tracking technology, even though the AFL couldn’t be happier with it, the latest example. Lights it is … for now.

The 2024 decider will be played under lights. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

MISSES

NO ROOM FOR ABUSE

Enough is enough. When will we see the end of targeted abuse in the AFLW? Our hearts go out to Brisbane star Dakota Davidson who was left in tears during Brisbane’s win against St Kilda on Sunday after being subject to vilification. While it’s unclear exactly what the spectator said just before three-quarter-time at RSEA Park, it’s been reported to be about Davidson’s appearance. It’s a bitter pill to swallow for the two-time premiership forward given that just a few months ago, she got emotional speaking about the gendered abuse she cops “every game” on the Keegan and Company podcast. So whatever the idiot screamed from beyond the fence must’ve been vile to illicit that sort of response. Davidson isn’t the only one. Already this season we’ve seen Essendon star Maddy Prespakis targeted by trolls over her body image and Richmond’s Kate Dempsey vilified during pride round. I dare say many more instances of abuse haven’t hit the spotlight yet either. If found responsible of vilification, the offending patron will be issued a lifetime ban from AFL matches. That’s a start. But there needs to be a conversation about what more we can do to protect and support AFLW players. There’s no room for abuse in our game and there never will be.

Dakota Davidson is consoled by a staff member. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

WITH A WHIMPER

With the season over now for 10 teams, it’s time to make some honest assessments. Melbourne was smashed by injury early and came hard late but just missed out on finals after a tough draw. The Cats too were the victims of their own success last season and copped a hard fixture after reaching a preliminary final. They did what no other team has done this season and took points from both North Melbourne and Brisbane despite being without key players for chunks of the season and will be a hot tip to return to finals in 2025 thanks to an exciting game style. St Kilda started the season with three straight wins but won just one of their last eight to miss yet another finals campaign. After looking the goods early, they’d have to be one of the disappointments of 2024. The alarm bells were ringing early at the Western Bulldogs but Tamara Hyett worked miracles and turned things around. After an off-season exodus of talent, the Dogs were a popular tip for the wooden spoon but instead, they finished with four wins.

There’s still plenty of work for Daisy Pearce to do at the Eagles. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images

West Coast raced out of the blocks as Daisy Pearce sprinkled her Daisy dust around Mineral Resources Park, doubling the Eagles’ best AFLW home and away result with four wins after five weeks. But West Coast lost its last five games, including blowouts against Sydney and Hawthorn.

It’s a disappointing fade out and proves that the Eagles still have an immense amount of work to do.

Carlton was inconsistent but won four games. The Swans never stood a chance after losing Chloe Molloy to an ACL injury.

GWS won their one game for the season in round one. They still look miles off the top rung of teams. The Suns regressed massively after playing finals last season. While Collingwood’s one win was courtesy of a ball tracking blunder.

Really, there were only 10 teams that deserved to play finals this season, the eight who made it and the Demons and Cats if results fell their way.

Originally published as AFLW Agenda: All the hits and misses from week ten