AFLW Round 8 Recap
Bombers break through as North returns to the top. Our AFLW reporter Aoife Cunningham recaps Round 8
Essendon finally broke through with their first victory of the AFLW season, and North Melbourne returned to the top of the ladder after a win over Sydney in some of the highlights of Round 8.
Essendon defeated GWS Giants by eight points - 43–35 - at Henson Park on Saturday, after trailing by 24 points at half-time. The Bombers snatched their first win, piling on five goals in the second half and held GWS to just one point, pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Essendon player Maddy Prespakis was instrumental in the turnaround, collecting 35 disposals and a goal, while Emily Gough added two majors. The win lifts Essendon from the bottom of the ladder and gives the Bombers some much-needed momentum after seven consecutive defeats.
North Melbourne returned to the winners’ list with a 55-point demolition of Sydney, winning 71–16 at Arden Street as Roos player Emma Kearney celebrated her 100th AFLW game. The victory was unfortunately soured by injuries to key players from both sides. Sydney ruck Ally Morphett left the ground with a knee injury in the opening five minutes, while Kearney was forced from the field with a hamstring injury in the final quarter of her milestone match. The Roos took control after half-time, kicking seven goals to run away with the game. Roos players Tahlia Randall and Jasmine Garner led the attack, with Randall kicking three goals, and Garner in the midfield with 31 disposals and 10 clearances to keep North on top of the AFLW ladder.
The Western Bulldogs produced one of the most one-sided results of the season, defeating St Kilda 31–1 at Mars Stadium in Ballarat and the Saints only avoided becoming the first AFLW side to finish a game scoreless when Ashleigh Richards kicked a behind with less than a minute remaining. The Bulldogs adapted to the cold and wet conditions, with Isabelle Pritchard collecting 35 disposals and Cleo Buttifant kicking the opening goal.
The result leaves St Kilda winless after eight rounds and firmly at the bottom of the ladder.
Melbourne bounced back from their first loss of the season with a 21-point victory over Collingwood, winning 42–21 at Victoria Park. The match was also a milestone for Melbourne veteran Paxy Paxman, who celebrated her 100th AFLW game with a win and finished with 20 disposals. Demons player Mia Austin was also the difference early, kicking all three of her goals before half-time and putting the Demons ahead by 19 points.
Although Magpies player Ash Centra finished with a career-high 30 disposals, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Demons.
Geelong also continued their impressive run and recorded their seventh consecutive win with a 34-point victory over Richmond. The Cats defeated the Tigers 54–20 and kept Richmond scoreless in the second half as they continued to strengthen their position among the competition’s leading sides. Geelong player Georgie Prespakis led the way with 28 disposals and eight clearances, while Cats forward Chloe Scheer kicked three goals to take her season tally to 18
Carlton held off Hawthorn by 12 points, winning 36–24 in a wet and difficult contest at IKON Park. The Blues raced to a three-goal lead in the opening quarter and never surrendered the advantage despite Hawthorn creating plenty of chances. Carlton captain Abbie McKay set a new club AFLW disposal record with 34 touches, while Hawthorn forward Poppy Stockwell kicked two goals.
Gold Coast claimed their first-ever QClash victory, defeating Brisbane by 20 points; 40–20. The Suns trailed by two points at three-quarter-time before kicking three final-quarter goals to seal the win. Suns player Charlie Rowbottom was named best on ground after collecting 36 disposals, nine clearances and a goal, while Havana Harris kicked two goals in the final term.
Port Adelaide overcame a four-game losing streak with a 14-point victory over Adelaide, winning 36–22 in another tight Showdown at Alberton Oval. Power player Abbey Dowrick was a star with 23 disposals, nine clearances, eight tackles and a goal to claim the Showdown Medal for the second consecutive year. The result moved Port Adelaide to a 3–5 record, level with the Crows.
West Coast secured a historic first AFLW Derby victory, coming from behind to defeat Fremantle by 12 points: 39–27. The Eagles trailed by eight points early in the third quarter before kicking the final three goals of the game. Ella Roberts starred with 22 disposals and a crucial goal, while Keeley Skepper kicked two majors. The win ended West Coast’s eight-game losing streak against Fremantle but they paid for it dearly, with Fremantle skipper Hayley Miller suffering an injury in the fourth quarter of her 100th AFLW game.
AFLW Round 8 Results
Carlton 36–24 Hawks
Geelong 54–20 Richmond
Essendon 43–35 Giants
Western Bulldogs 31–1 St Kilda
Gold Coast 40–20 Brisbane
Port Adelaide 36–22 Adelaide Crows
North Melbourne 71–16 Sydney Swans
Melbourne 42–21 Collingwood
West Coast 39–27 Fremantle
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