Melbourne’s top two hopes are still alive after Kate Hore and Eden Zanker steered the Dees to a 44-point spanking of Sydney at Casey Fields.
Hawthorn’s loss had opened the door for the Dees to jump into second place, and that’s what they did with a polished 9.11 (65) to 3.3 (21) win on Saturday.
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Melbourne were so impressive, they kept the Swans goalless after quarter-time to leave Sydney’s season on life support.
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Sydney now sit in a mid-table logjam, one game outside the top eight with two rounds to go.
Their finals hopes now hinge on their final two games against West Coast Eagles (6th) and Essendon (14th), the latter to be played as a home game in Coffs Harbour.
The Swans went into quarter-time a goal up after a red-hot opening term, but the Dees flipped the switch in the second with four goals within 10 minutes to break open the game.
From there, Melbourne controlled both possession and the tempo of the game to score freely, while their defence held firm against a Swans outfit sorely missing Chloe Molloy (back) in their side.
WhileHore crept closer to the magical 100-goal mark on Saturday – now sitting at 97 – it was her 25 touches and six clearances that lifted the Dees, with Zanker the focal point forward with four goals.
There was a touching moment in the second term when father-daughter Dee Jemma Rigoni kicked her first AFLW goal which drew teammates from far and wide to celebrate.
Rigoni, the 21-year-old defender and daughter of former Dee Guy Rigoni, enjoyed her best game in red and blue, with an equal career-high 11 touches and finished with 1.2.
FREO’S FINALS HOPES BOOSTED
The Dockers remain in the 2025 AFLW finals race after an impressive come-from-behind seven-point victory over the Giants at Henson Park.
In front of US celebrity Rosie O’Donnell on Saturday afternoon, Fremantle had to fight late to claim the 6.11 (47) to 6.4 (40) win.
GWS dominated large stretches of the game thanks to their scintillating transition movement off halfback.
Despite having only two wins to their name this year, the Giants were slick early as Cambridge McCormick kicked truly from outside the arc for her first goal, before a tidy finish from Tarni Evans extended GWS’ lead.
For much of the game, Fremantle were their own worst enemy.
At one stage in the third term, the Dockers had kicked 2.10 with their inefficiency threatening to end their top-eight hopes.
Yet, buoyed by the confidence of an upset win over Melbourne last weekend, the Dockers came home with a wet sail and owned all the momentum in the final term.
Kiara Bowers was dominant as she racked up 10 clearances, nine tackles and 23 disposals to get Fremantle on the front foot. Gabrielle Newton was just as strong, with 16 contested possessions from her 28 disposals to turn the tide in her side’s favour.
Three goals to one in the last quarter ensured Fremantle made it back-to-back wins, as the Dockers now sit 5-5 with two games left in the season.
Wins against Richmond and Adelaide in the final fortnight of the year could see them lock in another finals appearance despite a slow start to their 2025 campaign.
For the Giants, it was another match littered with promise where they were unable to get the final result.
Zarlie Goldsworthy was clinical with her possessions through the midfield, finishing the game with 17 disposals and a goal. Emily Pease led the Giants with 29 touches, while McCormick was enormous with six intercept possessions and four inside 50s.
NORTH’S RECORD ROLLS ON
North Melbourne have extended their remarkable winning streak to 22 after their 40-point win over AFLW heavyweights Adelaide.
North were dominant from the opening bounce before running out 10.11 (71) to 5.1 (31) victors against the fifth-placed Crows at Arden Street Oval.
The Roos kicked five goals to none in the opening term to leave Adelaide on the back foot.
And without Chelsea Randall (concussion) and Caitlin Gould (wrist), the Crows struggled in attack as the Roos showed no mercy.
“The majority of the day, we were comprehensively outplayed, but certainly the first quarter was where a significant amount of damage was done,” Crows coach Matthew Clarke said.
“From there on, it felt we fought, and stuck at the task with trying to stay in the game, but ultimately we were pretty well outclassed.”
Adelaide managed just one goal to three quarter time before adding some respectability to the scoreboard late.
North star Jasmine Garner racked up a career-best 41 disposals in her side’s win.
The Roos are now just one win away from joining Geelong with a record 23-straight AFL/V wins – dating back to 1952-53.
SAINTS EYE MAIDEN FINALS BERTH
St Kilda’s hopes of a maiden final appearance have been boosted off the back of a 13-point win over Carlton on Saturday night.
Despite star Georgia Patrikios (ankle) and Nic Xenos (knee) both being helped from the field during the 7.7 (49) to 5.6 (36) win, the Saints were able to hold off the Blues.
While pleased with the win, Saints coach Nick Dal Santo lamented the additions to his side’s growing injury list, with duo J’Noemi Anderson and Rebcca Ott suffering ankle complaints.
“I’m really proud of our group,” Saints coach Nick Dal Santo said.
“My initial take … hopefully not as bad as it looked when a handful of girls got brought off.
“I think we’re up to seven broken bones this year!
“It’s just unfortunate football injuries.
“The game is brutal.”
The Saints will now be tasked with the toughest test in AFLW footy – taking on North Melbourne.
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