Brisbane has claimed a thrilling three-point win over the previously undefeated Adelaide in what was one of the best AFLW games of the season so far.
In what could be a grand final preview, the Lions sent a message to the rest of the competition by grinding out the victory in hot and humid conditions.
Belle Dawes stepped up in the final term with a clutch set shot, while the likes of Ally Anderson (28 disposals) and Sophie Conway (701m gained from 26 disposals) were instrumental in the victory.
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Brisbane’s ability to apply pressure to the Crows throughout the contest and capitalise on its forward 50 entries was pivotal in deciding the top-four clash.
INDIGENOUS STARS LIGHT IT UP
Brisbane spearhead Dakota Davidson booted the first goal of the match before Crow Danielle Ponter and livewire Lion Courtney Hodder jumped in on the act.
Ponter was the most dangerous forward on the ground, weaving her magic as she booted three majors and caused havoc for the Lions’ defence all day.
The 24-year-old Davidson has become one of the competition’s premier key forwards and her contested marking makes her a tough matchup each and every week.
Hodder took a superb mark going back with the flight last week which is sure to be in the running for the Mark of the Year, and has a knack of creating something out of nothing for the Lions.
MARINOFF CONTINUES TO DOMINATE
Garner, Molloy, Conti, Prespakis … they’re the names that have been spoken about all season, but Ebony Marinoff certainly has a case for the best player in the competition.
With partner in crime Anne Hatchard missing a significant chunk of the third term due to a head injury assessment, Marinoff stepped up for the Crows.
Marinoff was one of the dominant players on the ground, racking up 34 disposals and 10 tackles as she did everything in her power to will her side to victory.
The gun midfielder has polled coaches votes in all except one match this season and will likely feature strongly again after her superb performance against the Lions.
LIONS 1.2 4.8 4.9 5.12 (42)
CROWS 2.0 3.0 6.3 6.3 (39)
SWANS STAR RUNS RIOT TO KEEP SYDNEY’S HOPES ALIVE
Sydney are still in the running for a maiden finals appearance, thanks to a 57-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.
The Swans now sit in a logjam of seven teams on four wins – three of which sit inside the top eight.
With games to come against Collingwood at home and Fremantle away, the Swans will be confident of securing two wins.
Against the Dogs, the Swans had recorded their highest-ever score in a game by half time.
Such was the dominance of the Swans, they gained almost 20 per cent on the ladder to give themselves the best possible chance of the unlikeliest finals berth.
MOLLOY MASTERCLASS
Chloe Molloy was by far and away the best player on the ground and set the game up for the Swans with one of the best individual quarters of footy for the season in the opening term.
Despite misfiring in front of the sticks, Molloy hardly put a foot wrong as the young Bulldogs defence couldn’t get near her.
The former Pie had eight disposals, six score involvements, two tackles and kicked 1.3.
And she didn’t slow down, putting together the most complete performance of any player this season – finishing with 28 disposals, 636m gained and 3.4.
SECOND FIDDLE
Rebecca Privitelli played the perfect role as backup to best-on-ground Molloy, finishing with a goal and two goal assists.
The dynamic small-forward kicked the goal of the afternoon with a ridiculous finish over her head in the first minutes of the game.
Molloy kicked long from a mark to the top of the goalsquare where Privitelli made a contest to bring the ball to ground.
She buttered up and with no other options available snapped the ball over her head through for the goal of the game, giving the Swans the early momentum and setting them on their way.
SHEPPARD CRUNCHED
Britney Gutknecht gave Western Bulldogs fans the highlight of the day with one of the most ferocious tackles in AFLW history.
The 22-year-old lined up Paige Sheppard, who was completely blindsided, as the Swan looked to rebound from defensive 50.
Gutknecht grabbed Sheppard as she was about to kick, driving the young Swan to the ground to leave her writhing in pain.
Gutknecht was awarded a 50m penalty while Sheppard was helped from the ground by trainers.
The 22-year-old Swan was ruled out of the last quarter after failing a head injury assessment, meaning Gutknecht will face MRO scrutiny.
BULLDOGS 1.0 2.1 4.2 6.3 (39)
SWANS 3.5 8.7 12.8 14.12 (96)
TEEN’S STUNNING HAUL PROPELS GIANTS
An inspirational five-goal haul to Giants teenager Zarlie Goldsworthy has secured GWS just its second win of the year in a two-point victory over Carlton.
Teammates had tipped Goldsworthy as the player to watch in 2023, and she has well and truly delivered this year.
Already a Rising Star nominee, Goldsworthy kicked the Giants’ first goal of the day with a brilliant bit of crumbing in the first quarter.
She then showcased what she could do without the ball, turning into a tackle machine. Her eighth tackle in the first half brought a holding-the-ball decision and her second goal of the day.
Goldsworthy couldn’t be kept out of the action, moving closer to the ball in the third term to lead her side for touches going into the final quarter.
She then kicked two goals in the space of a minute in the fourth to give the Giants their biggest lead of the day. A big run-down tackle then saw her grab her fifth of the match – and her side the lead once more.
Goldsworthy finished the day with five goals, 22 disposals, seven marks and 11 tackles.
In a year where not everything has gone right for the Giants, the 18-year-old has been a shining light in the forward line and the clear successor for the legendary Cora Staunton.
With Ally Morphett’s unfortunate injury, it’s likely another teenager from Sydney in Goldsworthy has now moved into Rising Star favouritism.
GIANTS’ STOPPAGE BLUES
It was one-way traffic at the centre bounce and stoppage at Henson Park with the Blues dominating at the contest.
In her first week back from suspension, 19-year-old Fleur Davies competed strongly for GWS but was simply no match for the experienced Breann Moody.
By half-time, the Blues were +22 on hit outs and +9 on clearances, and that authority only continued to grow as the game went on.
It was a massive game for Moody, as she finished with 46 hit outs, 13 clearances and 23 touches for the afternoon.
Carlton ended up +27 for hitouts and +21 for clearances, but it wasn’t enough to get the job done against a determined Giants outfit.
FREE-SCORING FINAL TERM
It was an arm wrestle all day in Marrickville as blustery winds made scoring hard at Henson Park.
But the game completely opened up in the last quarter as both sides were able to put together a string of goals. After only eight goals in the first three quarters, seven goals were kicked in the final term alone.
It was Goldsworthy who capitalised first with two of her own. But the Blues hit back quickly with goals to Mia Austin and Erone Fitzpatrick.
Goldsworthy then grabbed her third of the term to give the Giants the lead once again. A superb Jodie Hicks snap extended their margin before a goal in the dying minutes to Carlton’s Harriet Cordner made for a nervous finish.
The seesawing affair created a nailbiting conclusion to the match as the Giants registered just their second win of the year.
GIANTS 2.0 3.1 4.1 8.1 (49)
BLUES 1.2 3.2 4.3 7.5 (47)
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