A NEW week, a new league added to the Scoreboard Sweep as we cast our eyes back to the opening round of the NAB League Girls competition. Meanwhile Round 5 of the AFL Women’s and Round 3 of the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Women’s competition continued.

NAB League Girls:

Calder Cannons 5.7 (37) defeated Western Jets 1.4 (10)
Bendigo Pioneers 3.4 (22) defeated by GWV Rebels 4.3 (27)
Northern Knights 11.12 (78) defeated Murray Bushrangers 0.2 (2)
Dandenong Stingrays 3.5 (23) defeated by Eastern Ranges 4.8 (32)
Oakleigh Chargers 9.9 (63) defeated Gippsland Power 2.1 (13)
Sandringham Dragons 1.0 (6) defeated by Geelong Falcons 4.8 (32)

The first round of the new NAB League Girls got underway with two triple headers at Craigieburn and Frankston. On Saturday, the Northern Knights made a massive statement, belting Murray Bushrangers by 76 points as Britney Gutknecht booted four majors, and Gabby Newton and Ellie McKenzie were also impressive. GWV Rebels got home against a fast-finishing Bendigo Pioneers side with Jordyn Jolliffe (Bendigo) and Isabella Simmons and Renee Saulitis (GWV) all multiple goalkickers. Calder Cannons were too strong for Western Jets as Georgie Prespakis starred for the home side in a 27-point win. On Sunday, Eastern Ranges got past the Dandenong Stingrays largely thanks to a superb midfield duo of Olivia Meagher and Tahni Brown. Oakleigh powered away from Gippsland after a close opening term as Emily Harley booted four majors and Alana Porter cut up the opposition. Reigning premiers, Geelong Falcons finished the round with a strong performance to kickoff their 2019 campaign.

AFL Women’s:

Brisbane 1.2 (8) defeated by Geelong 5.5 (35)
Carlton 4.10 (34) defeated Collingwood 4.5 (29)
GWS GIANTS 2.6 (18) defeated by Melbourne 8.9 (57)
North Melbourne 4.5 (29) defeated by Adelaide 10.4 (64)
Fremantle 8.4 (52) defeated Western Bulldogs 5.4 (34)

Some big wins headlined AFL Women’s Round 5, as Geelong kick-started the round with a massive 27-point away victory against Brisbane. It moved the Cats to the top of Conference B, with inclusion Kate Darby booting three goals from 15 touches and four marks. A goal from Darcy Vescio in the dying minutes sealed a Carlton victory despite Collingwood pushing the Blues all the way in the Magpies best performance to date. With Darcy Guttridge, Sarah Rowe, Jordyn Allen and Katie Lynch all booting their first AFL Women’s goal in the match, there was still plenty to celebrate for the losing side. The two early Sunday games were bloodbaths, as Melbourne stormed to a 39-point win over GWS GIANTS to gain vital percentage in Conference A. They booted four goals to zero in the final term to put the foot down, as Tegan Cunningham finished the game with three goals, two behinds. Meanwhile Adelaide inflicted North Melbourne’s first loss in an unbelievable way, piling on four goals to zero themselves in the final term to run away with a 35-point win. Despite Emma Kearney getting 31 touches, Erin Phillips was at her damaging best with 23 disposals and two goals, while Chelsea Randall (23 disposals) and Ebony Marinoff (22 disposals and 10 tackles) were once again dominant. In the final game, Fremantle proved too good for Western Bulldogs, recording a comfortable 18-point win over the reigning premiers, all but ending their back-to-back flag hopes. Kellie Gibson booted three goals, while Kiara Bowers continued her remarkable season with 23 disposals, a goal and a whopping 16 tackles to finish with 157 AFL Fantasy Points – the most of the season.

SANFL Women’s:

Glenelg 7.6 (48) defeated North Adelaide 5.3 (33)
Central District 10.6 (66) defeated Woodville-West Torrens 5.8 (38)
Norwood 5.7 (37) defeated Sturt 3.5 (23)
West Adelaide 5.2 (32) defeated by South Adelaide 7.6 (48)

Glenelg remained undefeated following the third round of the SANFL Women’s competition, defeating North Adelaide by 15 points. Madisyn Freeman booted two goals, while Chelsea Packer had a game-high 16 touches. In the battle of the new sides, Central District got the job done with a 28-point victory over Woodville-West Torrens. In their own battle up opposite ends was Adelaide AFL Women’s forwards, Katelyn Rosenzweig (three goals) and Sarah Perkins (two) of whom both were the clear targets inside 50. Norwood also remained defeated so far this season after running out 14-point winners over Sturt. They dominated the tackle count, led by Sophie Armitstead who had 19 touches and nine tackles. In the final game of the round, South Adelaide bounced back from a Round 2 loss to end West Adelaide’s unbeaten run. The Panthers dominated possession as Czenya Cavouras had a day out with 29 disposals, five inside 50s and 10 tackles.