WEST Coast’s maiden win headlined Round 4 of the 2020 AFL Women’s season, with Melbourne returning to winning ways while Fremantle and Brisbane maintained their undefeated records to top the conferences. In our featured game of the weekend, Carlton exacted revenge for last year’s grand final loss with a thrilling win over Adelaide on the road.

COLLINGWOOD 0.1 | 2.1 | 3.1 | 4.1 (26)
MELBOURNE 2.1 | 4.1 | 6.1 | 7.4 (46)

Sophie Taylor

GOALS

Collingwood: S. Rowe 2, J. Lambert, S. Layton.
Melbourne: J. Parry, K. Hore, M. Gay, T. Cunningham, E. Zanker, C. Sherriff, S. Scott.

ADC BEST: 

Collingwood: J. Lambert, B. Davey, B. Bonnici, S. Layton, S. Rowe, A. Brazill
Melbourne: K. Paxman, T. Hanks, K. Hore, L. Birch, E. O’Dea, S. Scott

Melbourne needed a win after a disappointing Round 3 loss to St Kilda, and a win they did get on Friday night at Marvel Stadium, reigning supreme over a flat Collingwood outfit. The Dees well and truly ran over their opponents, though it was not without devastation on the Pies’ part with key defender and crosscoder Ash Brazill going down in the third and stretchered off the field with what has now been confirmed as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. 

A strong start from the Demons under a closed roof was exactly what they wanted, dominant in defence and transitioning well through the midfield to apply scoreboard pressure against the Magpies. Dees debutant Jacqui Parry booted the opening goal with her first kick in the AFL Women’s competition off the back of a 50m penalty, before Kate Hore opened her own account minutes later to take a good lead into the second term. Collingwood was quick to get a few back however, with ruck Sharni Layton unleashing an impressive major from an angle while a goal from Jamiee Lambert evened up the ledger moments later. The Dees were not about to let this one slip away however, with impressive offensive pressure and persistence inside 50 leading to goals from Eden Zanker and Tegan Cunningham. A midfield stalemate saw neither side able to capitalise for the rest of the quarter with pressure building and Melbourne staying one step ahead of the Magpies. Injury to Brazill halted the game with only minutes left in the third, before both sides continued to press forward in the final term but to no avail, only putting a goal apiece on the board – but not for a lack of trying, with the Dees losing their relative accuracy in the final quarter with three behinds on the board. 

Karen Paxman continued her stellar form this season with another best on ground effort for the Demons, collecting 24 touches and five marks to lead the disposal count ahead of Lambert (23 touches, seven tackles), Bri Davey (23 touches, seven tackles) and Britt Bonnici (22 disposals, six tackles) who were impressive as ever. Libby Birch held up well in defence, rebounding well and collecting 15 disposals and six marks down back, while Tyla Hanks impressed with 15 touches and five tackles. The Dees were far more efficient inside 50, but still will want to improve after only 47 per cent efficiency, while the Pies impressed at the stoppages with eight centre clearances and 26 hitouts, thanks to the height of Layton despite the aerial ability of Zanker.

RICHMOND 1.1 | 3.1 | 7.1 | 7.3 (45)
GEELONG 1.3 | 7.4 | 9.7 | 10.7 (67)

Sophie Taylor

GOALS

Richmond: C. Wakefield 3, S. Frederick, L. McClelland, K. Jacques, C. Bernardi.
Geelong: R. Cranston 2, G. Clarke 2, K. Darby, D. Higgins, O. Purcell, J. Crockett-Grills, R. Garing, A. Teague.

ADC BEST: 

Richmond: M. Conti, C. Wakefield, P. Monahan, K. Jacques, S. Frederick,
Geelong: O. Purcell, R. Cranston, M. McDonald, G. Clarke, J. Crockett-Grills, P. McWilliams

It was a feisty matchup between the two winless Conference B sides, with just about everything on the line. Geelong was poised in its pursuit for a maiden win in 2020, running over the expansion side in Richmond to reign supreme in Bendigo, 67-45. 

An even start saw both sides hungry for the ball, with both quick to get on the board thanks to goals from Kate Darby and Courtney Wakefield – her first of three – before both sides switched on the defensive pressure, making it tough for goals to be scored. Two behinds late in the quarter put Geelong’s nose in front heading into the second, while the likes of Monique Conti (28 disposals and five tackles) and Olivia Purcell (20 disposals, four tackles, one goal) proved their strength early for their respective sides. The second quarter saw the Cats well and truly blow the Tigers away, booting six goals to two and forcing Richmond to rethink their defensive strategy – which they clearly did, only conceding three goals in the second half. Geelong lead by as much as 40 points midway through the third quarter before the Tigers switched back into gear, dominating the second half of the third with four goals in 10 minutes, only separated by a Nina Morrison behind. A slow final term saw only the one goal kicked, with Geelong’s Julia Crockett-Grills cementing victory and leaving Richmond the only side to not yet have a win on the board this season. A head knock to Richmond key recruit Katie Brennan saw the star sidelined for the final quarter.

Wakefield booted a goal in each of the first three quarters as one of Richmond’s key performers alongside Conti, picking up 10 touches and five marks while the likes of Phoebe Monahan (20 disposals), Sabrina Frederick (one goal, nine disposals) and Kodi Jacques (one goal, six tackles) also put in solid performances for the losing side. For the Cats, Purcell was a ball magnet as usual, aided by Meghan McDonald (16 disposals, six marks) and Richelle Cranston (15 disposals, two goals). Georgia Clarke was also a solid option inside 50, booting two goals to go with another six individual goalkickers in an even team performance.

NORTH MELBOURNE 1.2 | 4.5 | 5.7 | 6.11 (47)
GOLD COAST SUNS 2.1 | 2.2 | 4.3 | 5.4 (34)

Sophie Taylor

GOALS

North Melbourne: D. Bateman 2, Em. King, S. Abbatangelo, El. King, J. Trend.
Gold Coast: K. Howarth 2, K. Surman, T. Ernst, L. Ahrens.

ADC BEST: 

North Melbourne: E. Kearney, J. Garner, E. Gavalas, A. Riddell, D. Bateman, K. Gillespie-Jones
Gold Coast: J. Stanton, J. Yorston, L. Ahrens, H. Dunn, K. Howarth, J. Pregelj

North Melbourne put a third solid 2020 win on the board in Round 4 when they took on the Gold Coast Suns, reigning supreme over the expansion side in a real make-or-break match for the Shinboners. The victory came down to dominant performances from key duo Jasmine Garner and Emma Kearney, with the pair combining for 56 disposals and 10 tackles. While the Kangaroos were not the most accurate on the day, their consistency and early lead kept them in good stead with an all-round team effort. 

While North Melbourne got the chocolates, it was Gold Coast that had the better start, responding well to an opening goal from Kangaroos’ Sophie Abbatangelo with goals from Tiarna Ernst and Kalinda Howarth’s first for the day coming amid behinds for the Roos. But while the Suns had the upper hand heading into the first change, it was North that switched on in the second term, peppering the posts to lead by 15 points at half-time. That buffer disappeared quickly however with the Suns coming within two points midway through the third before North cleaned it up and extended the lead once more thanks to a well-timed Emma King major. The Suns once again proved in the final term that they could get close, backing up their effort to once again come within a goals distance of a lead thanks to a goal from Lauren Ahrens, but a couple of rushed behinds for the Kangaroos proved they had the forward pressure to get the job done if only they cleaned up the contest inside 50. They did just that with less than three minutes left on the clock, with Daisy Bateman booting her second and all but sealing the deal in what was a mostly inaccurate match for the Roos. 

Howarth and Bateman were the top scorers for the match with two goals apiece, while Howarth was among the best for the Suns collecting 12 disposals and four marks to go with the majors. Jamie Stanton (17 disposals, seven marks, four tackles) and Jacqui Yorston (15 disposals, six tackles, five marks) were among the best for the Suns with Ahrens also up there, while Kate Surman collected nine tackles to go with her 12 touches and one goal, while North’s Ellie Gavalas equaled in tackles but racked up 21 touches while she was at it. While Garner and Kearney only booted a behind apiece, Garner’s 30 disposals and Kearney’s 26 ensured the Roos maintained control of the footy.

WEST COAST EAGLES 1.3 | 1.4 | 3.6 | 4.6 (30)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.2 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 3.8 (26)

Michael Alvaro

GOALS:

West Coast: G. Kelly, E. Swanson, H. Bullas, A. Atkins
Bulldogs: I. Huntington, D. Marshall, K. Rennie

ADC BEST:

West Coast: E. Swanson, D. Hooker, N. Kelly, G. Kelly, A. Atkins, I. Cameron
Bulldogs: E. Blackburn, G. Newton, K. McLeod, I. Huntington, K. Lamb, G. Lagioia

West Coast broke through to become the third 2020 expansion team to claim its first AFLW premiership points, edging the Western Bulldogs by four points in a tense tussle on home turf. The Eagles passed on some first half inaccuracy to their opponent as they held on for the 4.6 (30) to 3.8 (26) win, with jubilant scenes ensuing upon the final siren.

The Eagles enjoyed good spurts of possession early on, and landed the rightful first blow through a well-wrapped around Ashlee Atkins snap from the pocket. The goal made up most of the difference between the sides in the first term, but it did not take long for the Bulldogs to wrestle back momentum and get on top in the following quarter. Skipper Ellie Blackburn again proved to be the Bulldogs’ main source of inspiration heading inside forward 50, and her kick to find Kimberley Rennie deep helped ensure her side would gain a half time lead. But in a low-scoring contest, the loss of Bonnie Toogood to a knee injury was a body blow to the visitors’ chances of holding on.

West Coast would take full advantage, hitting back as the tide once again began to turn in favour of the home side. After the lead was quickly taken back via some smart Emma Swanson and Imahra Cameron teamwork, Hayley Bullas‘ opportunistic soccer goal from nothing ensured the Eagles had more than a one-goal buffer heading into the final turn. But it could well have been scrapped if Kirsten McLeod‘s dribbler just after the siren had rolled through a couple of seconds earlier, with the forward appealing for the call. Grace Kelly’s goal over the back made things even tougher in the fourth quarter, but the ‘Dogs kept hitting back and were given a sniff through Isabel Huntington‘s precise set shot conversion. It proved too little, too late though as the Eagles toughed out the final five minutes and ran out deserving winners, compounding a frustrating year for the ‘Dogs with a third-straight loss.

Swanson was terrific for the winners with a game-high 22 disposals (20 kicks) and eight tackles, while Dana Hooker (19 disposals) proved a real presence around the ball going both ways with nine tackles. Irish sisters Grace (14 disposals, one goal) and Niamh Kelly (16 disposals, 0.2) continue to show promise going forward, with the likes of Atkins and Cameron also adding to the forward threat. For the Bulldogs, Blackburn’s 19 touches were important, but the emergence of number one draft pick Gabby Newton (16 disposals, 10 tackles, five marks) would be most exciting. Kirsty Lamb, Aisling McCarthy, and McLeod (six behinds combined) all had opportunities close to goal but could not capitalise in what was the story of the Bulldogs’s day, while up the other end Gemma Lagioia proved solid with 12 disposals and three marks. Both 1-3 in Conference B, the two sides will go on to face another set of conference rivals in Round 5 as the ‘Dogs face Collingwood and West Coast travels to do battle with Melbourne – both on Sunday.

ST KILDA 0.1 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 3.5 (23)
FREMANTLE 0.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 3.6 (24)

Michael Alvaro

GOALS:

St Kilda: C. Greiser, O. Vesley, M. McDonald.
Fremantle: J. Stewart, K. Bowers, K. Flood.

ADC BEST:

St Kilda: A. Drennan, R. Dillon, O. Vesley, R. Watt, C. Greiser, T. Lucas-Rodd
Fremantle: K. Bowers, P. Seth, H. Miller, K. Grieve, G. Houghton, E. Antonio

Fremantle pulled off the great escape with a dramatic one-point victory over the desperately unlucky St Kilda, with Gemma Houghton‘s last-minute behind the difference in what was a thriller at Moorabbin. A 50-metre penalty against 18-year-old star Molly McDonald – who was very nearly the Saints’ hero after a lovely final term snap – ultimately proved most costly, gifting Kate Flood the opportunity to level the scores and confirming the footy gods can be nothing short of cruel.

Earlier, the wind played a factor in a low-scoring opener, with the 2-1 scoreline replicating that of a soccer match and the Dockers struggling to adjust in their first real game on the road. But they would be first to find the big sticks in the following stanza as Houghton tapped deftly down to Jasmin Stewart from a forward 50 stoppage to get the ball rolling. The early buffer was reigned back again to within a goal though as Olivia Vesley finished off a rolling Saints passage of play to keep them within striking distance, behind by just two points at the main break.

With Tarni White having already gone down in excruciating pain with a left knee injury, Kate McCarthy‘s awkward leg knock in the third term meant the Saints’ chances of a comeback were dwindling. But no one told that to Caitlin Greiser, who slammed home a major early in the third term to help St Kilda claim the lead. In keeping Freo scoreless up the other end, the Saints found themselves in the box seat for an unlikely upset win, and McDonald’s final term goal looked like being enough for the win. But just as quickly as the pre-listed prospect marked an errand Rhiannon Watt clearance and dropped the ball out of bounds, she realised her mistake as the umpire blew for a costly 50-metre penalty. Houghton’s two opportunities running into an open goal should truly have been the difference though, with the Dockers lucky to come away victors and remain perfect in season 2020.

Philipa Seth (17 disposals) found the most ball of any Docker, but it was the likes of Kiara Bowers (13 disposals, 12 tackles), Ebony Antonio (13 disposals, six tackles), and Katie-Jayne Grieve (12 disposals, six tackles) who had that two-way impact. There were plenty of contributors for the Saints too, with Rosie Dillon having a game-high 18 disposals, while Alison Drennan (17) and Tilly Lucas-Rodd (16) were not far behind. Vesley continued her impressive come-up with 14 touches and a goal, while the ‘G-Train’, Greiser was impactful with her eleven kicks and lone major. The Saints will look to hit back but face a tough ask in battling Carlton at Ikon Park in Round 5, while Fremantle takes on Brisbane in a battle between the two undefeated conference leaders.

BRISBANE LIONS 2.5 | 4.5 | 7.7 | 7.9 (51)
GWS GIANTS 1.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 (23)

Michael Alvaro

GOALS:

Brisbane: J. Wardlaw 2, C. Svarc 2, E. Bates, K. Lutkins, L. Postlethwaite.
GWS: R. Privitelli, A. Schmidt, Y. Bonner.

ADC BEST:

Brisbane: C. Svarc, E. Bates, J. Wardlaw, A. Anderson, K. Lutkins, M. Moloney
GWS: H. Zreika, E. Bennetts, R. Beeson, N. Barr, B. Tully, A. Parker

Brisbane Lions roared back to the top of Conference A with a comprehensive 28-point win over GWS on home turf to close out Round 4, moving to 3-0-1. The winners maintained their undefeated start to the season on the back of some awesome individual efforts, but overpowered the GIANTS across the ground to wow home fans and neutrals alike.

The win was set up in the opening term and consolidated in the third, with the Lions booting 5.7 of their eventual 7.9 total across the two periods of play. Mature-aged draftee Catherine Svarc kicked off the game of her life by latching onto a long ball over the back of a contest and booting the ball out of mid-air through the big sticks, while promising tall forward Jesse Wardlaw also got on the board with a lovely set shot conversion. Rebecca Privitelli‘s contested grab and own set shot up the other end kept the GIANTS in the contest though, with Svarc and Emily Bates running rampant. The theme continued as Katie Lutkins‘ standout second term goal on the run looked to help Brisbane break the shackles, but it was cancelled out late in the half as Aimee Schmidt narrowly slotted GWS’ second major.

Much of the resistance was broken heading into the third term, and the floodgates finally opened mid-way through the quarter as the Lions piled on three majors. One of which was 2019 number three draft pick, Lily Postlethwaite‘s first ever AFLW goal, while Svarc’s second six-pointer from a tight angle got the crowd on its feet shortly after, effectively putting the result beyond doubt. The contest fizzed out in a much less eventful closing stanza, with the GIANTS managing to withstand any more damage while troubling the scorers once more themselves through Irishwoman, Yvonne Bonner‘s booming boot. It made the margin slightly more respectable, but did not take away from what was a dominant Brisbane win.

Svarc’s 23 disposals, 11 tackles and two goals were made even more incredible by the fact that she was tagging Alyce Parker, with the young GIANT managing a subdued 11 touches. Bates also continued to take the next step in her development, amassing 24 disposals and booting a goal, while the reliable Ally Anderson had a game-high 25 touches and Wardlaw showed good signs with two goals from 10 disposals and five marks. For the GIANTS, Haneen Zreika returned another solid shift with her team-high 15 disposals, with defender Elle Bennetts having 14 to stay true to her form. A bunch of GWS ball-winners were good without being outstanding, with Parker kept quieter than usual, and Alicia Eva unable to get going. Eva and the GIANTS will face a winless Richmond side next time out in a good chance to snare a win, while Brisbane is set to take on Fremantle in a battle of the conference table-toppers.