Essendon has continued its perfect start to the 2025 AFLW season after fending off Richmond by 15 points in Friday night’s Dreamtime clash in Darwin.
Georgia Nanscawen (26 touches, 12 tackles) and Maddy Prespakis (24 disposals) led the way in the midfield and Sophie Alexander and Georgia Gee added two goals apiece to mark three-straight wins to start the Bombers’ campaign.
After Essendon held just a six-point lead at the final change, Natalie Wood’s side kicked two goals — via Alexander and Gee — to Richmond’s none in the final quarter to secure the victory, 6.7 (43) to 3.10 (28).
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The Tigers lack of connection inside 50 and conversion in front of the big sticks proved costly as they fell to 0-3.
Essendon led the TIO Stadium game wire to wire, with Prespakis (nine disposals) busy in the first term.
Maggie MacLachlan and Jess Verbrugge kicked two of the first goals to get the Bombers off to a strong start and a two-point edge at the first change.
The Bombers’ handball game started to give Richmond real issues in the second term.
Daria Bannister kicked the only goal in the second quarter to make it a handy 15-point Bombers buffer at the main break, despitee strong first halves from star Tigers midfield duo Ellie McKenzie (16 touches) and Monique Conti (15 disposals).
In was arm wrestle to start the third term, before Richmond skipper Katie Brennan struck the first blow with a goal six minutes in after a nice transition play to get her side within seven points.
But Essendon instantly responded, forcing a forward-half turnover through frontal pressure as MacLachlan made the Tigers pay to regain a 14-point buffer for Essendon.
In an injury scare to the Tigers, Brennan hurt her right hand late in the third quarter after it appeared to get stood on as she was left holding her hand left grimacing in pain.
Emelia Yassir got the Tigers back within six points right before three-quarter as it was well and truly game on at the last change.
After a couple of Tigers misses early in the fourth term, Essendon came back through Alexander, who gave the Bombers some needed breathing space with a goal to extending the Bombers’ lead to 10 points with six minutes remaining.
Gee then secured the victory for Wood’s side with a classy snap in the final couple of minutes.
RICHMOND 1.0 1.3 3.6 3.10 (28)
ESSENDON 2.2 3.4 4.6 6.7 (43)
GOALS
Richmond: Scott, Brennan, Yassir
Essendon: Alexander 2, Gee 2, McLachlan, Clarke
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