By Hannah Kennelly
Two of the stars of the AFLW competition said on Sunday that it didn’t matter to them if the grand final was held during the day or at night – as long as their teams made it.
The AFL announced the fixture for Week 1 of the AFLW finals on Sunday evening, running across three days from Friday, November 8 to Sunday, November 10.
Aileen Gilroy and Aine McDonagh after their team’s commanding win on Sunday.Credit: AFL Photos
See the full list of games below:
First qualifying final: North Melbourne v Adelaide, IKON Park, November 8 (7.15pm AEDT)
First elimination final: Fremantle v Essendon, Fremantle Oval, November 9 (7pm AEDT)
Second qualifying final: Hawthorn v Brisbane, IKON Park, November 10 (1.05pm AEDT)
Second elimination final: Port Adelaide v Richmond, Alberton Oval, November 10, (3.05pm AEDT)
Grand final: November 30, but the exact time is yet to be announced.
Last year’s decider between the Kangaroos and the Lions was held at Ikon Park on a Sunday at 2.30pm. However, according to a recent report on the AFL website, the league is considering the prospect of holding a night-time grand final in what would be an AFLW first.
When asked directly about the topic on Sunday, the AFL said it would make an announcement in the coming days.
Hawthorn key forward Aine McDonagh said the timing of the decider doesn’t bother her either way.
“Hopefully, we get there, they’ll tell me where and I’ll turn up,” she said with a laugh.
And Richmond defender Beth Lynch echoed similar sentiments.
“Look, it doesn’t really worry me,” she said. “If we are lucky enough to make it, whatever time they decide [works].”
The Hawks clinched a 23-point win over the Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Swinburne Centre, in the process claiming the McClelland Trophy – a million-dollar prize awarded to the best-performed club across the men’s and women’s home-and-away seasons.
Hawks AFLW coach Daniel Webster said the grand final time should be “whatever is best for promoting the competition”.
“I’ll let the powers that be sort that one out,” he said. ” I’ll just be glad to be there on the day.”
Fans show their support during the round 10 AFLW clash between North Melbourne and Gold Coast at Arden Street in Melbourne.Credit: Getty Images
The Hawks sit second on the ladder, two points behind undefeated North Melbourne – a team they haven’t played this year.
Webster said the Hawks had been watching North closely and were eager to play them.
“We’d love to be able to test ourselves against them and [we’re] hopeful we get that opportunity over the next few weeks.”
Hawthorn’s win on Sunday means the team will host a qualifying final against the Brisbane Lions.
The home and away season finished on Sunday, with ladder-leading North Melbourne clinching the minor premiership.
Meanwhile, Sophie Conway is still expected to play in the Lions’ qualifying final against the Hawks despite giving her side a major scare with a shoulder injury.
The midfielder starred on Sunday at Moorabbin before she had to leave the field in the last term of the Lions’ 27-point win over St Kilda.
But, speaking after the win, coach Craig Starcevich was confident what appeared to be a low-grade “stinger” would not put Conway out of action.
Elsewhere, at Alberton Oval, a clutch mark and goal by Gemma Houghton in the dying minute of the game delivered Port Adelaide a home final, despite the Giants leading by nearly 80 minutes of the match.
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Bombers end Demons’ finals hopes but lose Toogood to ankle injury
Essendon have secured an AFLW finals berth and ended Melbourne’s season in the process after posting a 36-point victory over Carlton.
The Bombers overcame the early loss of star forward Bonnie Toogood to an ankle injury to post the 9.6 (60) to 3.6 (24) win at Ikon Park on Saturday.
The Bombers’ Amber Clarke.Credit: AFL Photos
Melbourne’s 47-point win over Collingwood earlier in the day had bumped Essendon down to ninth spot.
It meant the Bombers entered their match against Carlton with a simple equation: win and they finish in the top eight, lose and they wave goodbye to finals.
The loss of Toogood in the first term made Essendon’s task tougher, and the Blues led by two points at quarter-time.
But powered by Maddison Gay (33 disposals, 741 metres gained), Georgia Nanscawen (25 disposals, nine clearances, one goal) and Madison Prespakis (25 disposals, four clearances), Essendon saw off Carlton’s challenge to secure the win.
Georgia Gee and Jacqui Vogt celebrate.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Essendon will now be sweating on the extent of Toogood’s injury ahead of the club’s second straight finals campaign.
The Bombers told The Age Toogood had scans on Sunday afternoon and would know more on Monday.
Melbourne’s 47-point demolition of Collingwood was impressive but ultimately counted for nothing after the Demons were pipped for a spot in the AFLW finals.
The Demons dominated from the start on Saturday at Ikon Park and mauled the last-placed Magpies 11.8 (74) to 4.3 (27).
That result left Melbourne sweating on the outcome of Saturday night’s match at the same venue between Carlton and Essendon.
Before that match kicked off, the Bombers were half a game behind the Demons after Essendon’s Dreamtime in Darwin draw a week ago with Richmond.
Reason for a voice: The Demons sing the team song.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Bombers proved far too good for the injury-ravaged Blues on Saturday night to clinch their finals berth and deprive the Demons of a place.
Melbourne had been in impressive form, having won five of their previous six games to storm into top-eight contention, only to be thwarted by the Bombers.
AFLW great Stacey Livingstone was chaired from the field after her last game. The Collingwood defender had a shot at goal in the final quarter of her 77th match, but kicked it like a back and only managed a behind.
At the other end, Melbourne captain Kate Hore kicked three goals as she returned from the quad problem that made her a late withdrawal last week.
The Demons were left to rue Hore’s absence from the previous week, given they lost to Hawthorn by only six points.
“I’m super proud of the girls’ effort today,” Hore told Fox Footy after the match.
“We just wanted to come out here and finish our season strong.”
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Geelong’s AFLW season over as Adelaide clinch double-chance
Adelaide have secured an AFLW finals double-chance and ended Geelong’s season with a gritty four-point win at GHMBA Stadium.
The Crows overcame some shoddy goalkicking and a 15-point second-quarter deficit on Friday night to hang on 4.8 (32) to 4.4 (28) and clinch fourth spot on the ladder.
The only negative for Adelaide came in the fourth quarter when exciting forward/midfielder Danielle Ponter had to be helped off the ground with a right foot injury.
The Cats versus Crows clash went down to the wire.Credit: AFL Photos
Spearhead Caitlin Gould kicked three goals and defender Chelsea Bidell’s intercepting was a feature, while Ebony Marinoff confirmed her standing as the league’s No.1 player, with 24 disposals and 11 tackles.
The superstar midfielder enters the major round averaging 30.3 disposals, becoming the competition’s first player to average 30-plus across a home-and-away campaign.
“An absolute hot contest out there,” said Gould, who nabbed seven marks and had seven score involvements.
“That’s definitely what we expected from Geelong.
“It (goalkicking accuracy) is absolutely an area we need to keep working on.
“It’s that composure piece that we’re trying to get there, including myself.
“Hopefully through finals we get that together.”
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