Suns outshine Bombers
Gold Coast’s band of youngsters have strengthened their grip on a third AFLW finals berth, beating Essendon by 41 points at Windy Hill.
The Suns have surprised many this season after starting the campaign as one of the more youthful and inexperienced sides in the league.
Their 7.9 (51) to 1.4 (10) win over Essendon on Sunday was their third consecutive victory and moved them into fifth spot, just four points behind second-placed defending champions North Melbourne.
Gold Coast’s defence was resolute in the blustery conditions, and the Bombers didn’t score a point until late in the second quarter.
In the same time, the visitors were dominating territory and snagged three goals courtesy of a trio of players all aged under 21.
After leading by 20 points at half-time, Suns forward Anne Hatchard and midfielder Charlie Rowbottom added their names to the scoresheet, before Emily Gough found the Bombers’ only major late in the third period.
The visitors grabbed another two goals in the final term to complete the win.
Defender Niamh McLaughlin (33 disposals, 506 metres gained) and Rowbottom (36 disposals, one goal) were busy for Gold Coast (4-2), while Hatchard and Havana Harris scored two majors each.
The loss kept the Bombers (0-6) winless, although midfielder Madison Prespakis was outstanding with a game-high 38 disposals.
AAP
Today’s results
WATCH: Geelong’s ‘bomb’ goal from the centre square
The stunning long goal on Saturday was a highlight of round six:
Suns outshine Bombers
Gold Coast’s band of youngsters have strengthened their grip on a third AFLW finals berth, beating Essendon by 41 points at Windy Hill.
The Suns have surprised many this season after starting the campaign as one of the more youthful and inexperienced sides in the league.
Their 7.9 (51) to 1.4 (10) win over Essendon on Sunday was their third consecutive victory and moved them into fifth spot, just four points behind second-placed defending champions North Melbourne.
Gold Coast’s defence was resolute in the blustery conditions, and the Bombers didn’t score a point until late in the second quarter.
Tigers survive Giants’ scare
Richmond survived an almighty scare to claim a stirring 9.14 (68) to 10.1 (61) win over a pinpoint-accurate GWS on Sunday at Canberra’s Manuka Oval.
Fresh off a 15-point win over St Kilda a week earlier, the Tigers (4-2) raced out of the gates and led by 16 points at quarter-time.
Richmond continued to run riot in the second term, booting five goals in 12 minutes to balloon their advantage to 55-18 at the main break.
But the Giants completely transformed after halftime, scoring six majors, including a double from Georgia Garnett, to give themselves a glimmer of hope at three-quarter time.
Bulldogs hold on despite scoring one point in a half
The Western Bulldogs scored just one point in the first and third quarters combined, but they still held firm to claim a 6.4 (40) to 4.6 (30) victory over Fremantle.
Looking to jump into the top eight, the Bulldogs (4-2) were kept scoreless in the opening term at Cockburn ARC Oval, but kicked four unanswered majors in the second to lead by 11 points at the main break.
Fremantle tightened their defence in the third quarter, holding the visitors to just one point as they surged back after Hayley Miller and Kiara Bowers found goals.
But just 17 seconds into the final quarter, a series of slick handballs led to Bulldogs forward Heidi Woodley slotting a major, before Sarah Hartwig nailed a goal to help her team move up to seventh on the ladder.
Swans move clear in AFLW top four
Chloe Molloy has continued her glittering goal-scoring form, spearheading Sydney to a 14-point AFLW victory over a spirited Port Adelaide.
After Carlton suffered a 34-point loss to the Demons earlier on Saturday, the Swans (5-1) knew a win at Alberton Oval would move them four points clear of their fifth-placed rivals.
Molloy was instrumental in helping them secure the precious 5.11 (41) to 3.9 (27) victory, booting a trio of goals to register her third consecutive match in which she has kicked three or more majors.
Her dazzling display (15 disposals) came despite the Power keeping Sydney’s usually dynamic attack at bay in the first half, the scores locked at 16-16 at the main break.
‘Magic’ Moloney boots it from the centre
Geelong star Aishling Moloney has thrown down the challenge to the rest of the AFLW by booting one of the best goals ever seen in the competition.
The Cats star took the ball through the middle of Victoria Park on Saturday, pointed forward to let her teammates know she was kicking long, and then let fly.
Amazingly, the ball took flight and bounced hard about 40 metres from goal before taking a few more bounces to go through the big sticks.
“Moloney with a little bit of magic,” Kelli Underwood exclaimed on Fox Footy as the goal bounced through.
The Cats ran up 90 points against the hapless Pies – winning by 41 points, 14.6 (90) to 7.7 (49).
It will take something truly stunning to beat Moloney’s goal, although her celebration was very understated, although a kick that great speaks for itself.
Demons improve to 6-0, claim top spot
Melbourne are the only unbeaten side after six rounds of the AFLW season, producing a statement 34-point win over Carlton at Casey Fields.
But they may count the cost of Saturday’s 8.10 (58) to 3.6 (24) win after star forward Georgia Gall limped off in the third quarter with an ankle injury.
A day after Hawthorn manufactured a mighty upset to topple heavyweights North Melbourne, the Demons knew a win on Saturday would lift them into top spot and give them a perfect 6-0 start to their campaign.
The Blues were spirited in the opening half, but Melbourne slotted four straight goals in the third quarter to set up victory.
Crocker demands Roos respond after Hawks loss
North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker was called on his side to be better with their skills and bounce back from their shock loss to Hawthorn on Friday as their 1020-day unbeaten run came to an end.
North on-baller Eilish Sheerin had a game-high 30 possessions, and Garner ended with 29, after amassing 21 in the first half in the loss.
North also kicked their lowest score on Friday night since 2023, and Crocker said their fundamental skills were “poor”.
“Human nature is an interesting thing and we probably didn’t play as well as would have liked. But all credit to Hawthorn,” he said.
Watch: Hawks react after beating North Melbourne
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
