-
Jamie Samuel
-
AFLW Round 7 Recap
Whoopings & Comebacks & Draws... Oh My!
Aussie sports expert Jamie Samuel is back with all the latest from round seven in the AFLW. This week we saw a couple of whoopings, an incredible comeback, and a draw. Read all about it right here!
Western Bulldogs 3.10.28 defeated Geelong 2.4.16
The Western Bulldogs got the weekend off to the perfect start, taking care of Geelong by 12-points on Friday night.
It was a low-scoring affair, with the Bulldogs kicking the first 3 goals and Geelong not getting on the board with a major until the last quarter. The Dogs got their 1st 2 goals in the 2nd quarter and kept Geelong to only 2 behinds for the 1st half.
A Bonnie Toogood 50m penalty gave the Dogs their 3rd consecutive goal, late in the 3rd quarter to get them out to a 25-point 3 quarter time lead, as they kept Geelong scoreless in the 3rd quarter. Geelong finally got on the board in the last quarter, with 2 goals from Chloe Sheer and Pheobe McWilliams. But it was too little too late, as the Dogs held on for their 3rd win of the year, keeping them in touch with the top 6. Geelong will face a tough challenge in Richmond next Saturday evening.
Adelaide 5.15.45 defeated GWS 0.5.5
In an absolute mauling, at Henson Park, Adelaide kept Greater Western Sydney (GWS) to only 5 behinds and defeated them by 40-points in Sydney.
There was a goalless opening quarter, as Adelaide only managed 4 behinds, whilst keeping GWS scoreless. Adelaide kicked the first 2 goals of the game in the second quarter, to take a 16-point lead into halftime. Ashleigh Woodland kicked the only goal of the 3rd quarter, as the Crows took a 26-point final change lead, and it could have been more if not for inaccuracy.
In the last quarter, Woodland added a 2nd and Ebony Marinoff iced a sweet Crows cake. As they cruised to a 40-point win, taking them back to the top of the ladder and restoring their flag favoritism. The win could've been much bigger if they kicked more accurately, kicking 5.15.45.
Adelaide will look forward to their top-of-the-table clash when they travel to face Fremantle on Saturday afternoon. While the Giants will look to rebound when they face the bottom-placed and winless St Kilda on Wednesday night.
Carlton 7.6.48 defeated St. Kilda 0.2.2
Carlton has salvaged some much-needed pride from what has been a dreadful start to season 2022. Demolishing St Kilda by 46-points on Saturday afternoon at Ikon Park, in a game where they not only kept St Kilda goalless and to 2 behinds but scoreless after the 1st quarter.
Carlton set up a win in the opening quarter, kicking 3 goals and when Darcy Vescio slotted a goal after the quarter-time siren, it was clear the Blues were in complete control. Goals from Jess Good and Courtney Jones gave Carlton a 33-point halftime lead.
The 3rd quarter would be scoreless. But goals in the last quarter from Vescio and Breann Moody iced a much-needed 46-point win for the Blues. It was a big relief for Daniel Harford, who had the Blues lost this game, may well have lost his job. But his Blues did him and their fans real proud and proved that winning games are still possible for them.
Carlton will see if they can keep up this form when they travel to face GWS on Sunday night. St Kilda faces another tough challenge when they also face GWS on Wednesday night and with this kind of form, they look unlikely to win a game this year.
Richmond 10.8.68 defeated West Coast 7.3.45
Richmond put up a big performance in the West, taking care of the Eagles by 23-points.
It was the Tigers first quarter where they would set up the win, kicking the opening 4 goals and keeping West Coast scoreless, leading by 26-points at the first break. The Eagles got on the board in the 2nd quarter, 2 goals for them, but the Tigers were able to match that and lead by 25-points at halftime.
Katie Brennan got the Tigers off to the perfect start in the second half, getting them out to a 32-point lead. The Eagles went back to back to cut the margin back to 20, but a late steadier from Meg Macdonald got the Tigers out to a 26-point 3 quarter time lead. Richmond was able to keep their noses ahead in the last quarter, despite West Coast kicking 3 goals to 2. Despite the efforts of Aimee Schmit down forward for West Coast, Richmond's dominance throughout the game earned them a 23-point win. As West Coast slipped to 13th place at the end of round 7.
Richmond will look to continue its winning form when they host a struggling Geelong side on Saturday afternoon. West Coast will face a challenge when they host Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.
North Melbourne 6.2.38 defeat Collingwood 2.3.15
North Melbourne comfortably took care of Collingwood on Sunday afternoon in Hobart, moving up to 3rd place with a 23-point victory.
North kicked the first 4 goals of the contest before Amelia Velardo kicked Collingwood's first goal off a free kick with under 10 seconds left in the first half, with North taking an 18-point lead into halftime. North kept control in the 3rd quarter, Mia King kicking the only goal of the term to give North a 24-point lead at the final change.
Jaimee Lambert gave Collingwood their 2nd goal of the game 4 minutes into the last quarter after receiving a free kick for a high tackle. North iced the game, however, as Jassie Garner took a strong mark and kicked her 3rd for the day, capping off a remarkable performance from her and the Kangaroos.
North took a 23-point victory, lifting them to 3rd and gaining their 5th consecutive win on the trot. This win also makes them 7 of 7 games played in Tasmania. North will look to continue its winning form when they face a very important clash with Melbourne, who currently sit 4th underneath them on Saturday night.
Melbourne 5.5.35 defeated Brisbane 4.8.32
On Monday night, Melbourne and Brisbane played out one of the most thrilling games this year, another match that could likely be considered the game of the year. Greta Bowey’s kick after the final siren fell short, as Melbourne came from 23-points down to defeat the Brisbane Lions in a 3-point thriller at Metricon.
The Lions were out of the blocks, kicking the opening 3 goals of the contest. Before Melbourne got their 1st goal though Alyssa Bannan with a little under 1:45 left of the 1st half. The Lions took a 15-point halftime lead.
The 3rd quarter would be where the Demons turned the game on its head, kicking 3 goals to 1, reducing the 3 quarter time margin to a solitary point. Tayla Harris would be back to torment her old side, taking a strong mark and putting Melbourne in front for the first time in the contest, with 13 minutes to play. She had the chance to back up that effort 5 minutes later after another strong mark but missed on this occasion.
With the game hanging by a thread, with 2 seconds left there was a big pack diving on the ball inside Brisbane's forward 50, and the umpire pulled out a “holding the ball” decision, as the final siren sounded with Melbourne 4 points up. The free was given to Greta Bowey, who had the game on her boot. She lined up from 45 with her kick online, but just not making the distance, as Melbourne defenders rushed it through as their desperate defense held on for a famous 3-point win. The Demons fans who were locals and who may have traveled, and the players were in scenes of jubilance, they won’t forget this night any time soon.
Melbourne will look to continue winning form and press for the top 3 spots when they host North Melbourne in what looks to be another enticing contest at Casey Fields on Saturday night. Brisbane will look to bounce back when they travel to take on the West Coast Eagles.
Gold Coast 6.5.41 drew Western Bulldogs 6.5.41
To wrap up a thrilling round 7, the round 3 games between Gold Coast and the Western Bulldogs were rescheduled to Tuesday night. They played out yet another challenger for what could be the game of the year, with the Bulldogs fighting back from a 24-point 3 quarter time deficit, to cause a thrilling draw.
The Suns looked in control for most of the contest. Sarah Perkins getting them off to the right start with a long bomb in the opening quarter to open the scoring. The Suns with the only goal of the 1st quarter and a 7-point quarter-time lead. After Nell Morris-Dalton got the Dogs on the board in the 2nd quarter, the Suns kicked the next 2. Before soccer by Jess Fitzgerald reduced the margin to a goal at halftime.
In the 3rd quarter, the Suns turned the game on its head, piling on 3 consecutive goals, and keeping the Dogs to only 1 behind. Taking a 24-point lead into 3 quarter time and looking home and dry for all money. But back came the Dogs hard. Morris-Dalton kicked her 2nd for the game, pulling one back. Kirsty Lamb snapped a kick that bounced through and suddenly the margin was only 2 goals. With the Dogs believing Morris-Dalton brought the house down with her 3rd and we were back to a straight kick. Finally, off hands from a pack in the goal square, Britney Gutknecht snapped a goal to level things all up.
Tara Bohana sprayed an easy opportunity to put the Suns a goal in front, from directly in front she went the dribble kick and missed for a point. Off a snap out of a pack, Elisabeth Georgostahis had the chance to put the Dogs in front, but her kick missed and scores were level again. As the final siren sounded, we were all tied up at 41. The Dogs made a mammoth fightback when looking gone at the final change, a draw a fair outcome for them considering they were outplayed a lot of the game.
The Dogs will take on Collingwood at Victoria Park next Sunday in a tough challenge. While the Suns will look to get back to winning form, facing the bottom-placed St Kilda away on Sunday.
Here's how the AFLW Premiership Ladder looks at the completion of round seven:
Want more sports news and analysis? Check these out:
Jamie Samuel has completed a double degree in sports media and business at Holmesglen. He is passionate about sports including AFL, A-league, Basketball, and Cricket. He currently works full-time as a chief marketing officer for Apple Sports.
Follow Jamie on Twitter here @JamieSamuel18