Another week has come and gone in the AFLW, with the season already beginning to take shape after just two rounds.
The Roos, Bulldogs and Dockers remain undefeated, while the Magpies, Blues and Giants are yet to get off the mark. With such a short season, there can't be any time for a shaky start or a slump of form.
If you missed any of the action, you can view our match summaries and the main talking points from each game below.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY VS. NORTH MELBOURNE
By Zac Standish
MATCH SUMMARY
North Melbourne became the first team to move to 2-0 after overcoming Greater Western Sydney by 25 points on Friday night in less than ideal conditions.
Torrential rain and lightning greeted the girls as Sydney’s Drummoyne Oval turned into a puddle for the clash between the two sides.
Faced with a 43-minute delay due to lightening in the area, fans and players were itching with anticipation as the Giants looked to get themselves on the winners list for the first time in 2019.
With the game finally getting underway, it was a fast start for both teams as majors to GWS All Australian Alicia Eva and former Magpie-turned-Kangaroo Jasmine Garner scored in quick succession to lift the rain soaked Drummoyne crowd.
Scrappy would be the main word to describe proceedings throughout the first half, as players from both sides attacked the ball with ferocity, with midfielders in particularly thriving in the slippery conditions.
Consecutive goals to the Kangaroos would give them a crucial 10-point buffer midway through the second term, with the power of Emma Kearney through the midfield proving too much for the young Giants.
As the main change neared, a bizarre turn of events would see the main light towers completely lose power, with players from both sides told to exit the field and the possibility of an abandoned game on the cards.
The team at Drummoyne Oval would do an excellent job to restore power promptly and get the match back underway, as both teams again resumed the fight for a crucial four points.
With the game at a knife's edge upon resumption, Sophie Abbatangelo would get extend North’s lead courtesy of a tight shot as GWS again found themselves on the ropes.
Some Irish magic by Yvonne Bonner late in the third would keep the Giants in the hunt going into the last, as they looked poised to cause an unlikely upset in front of their home crowd.
But the class of the Kangaroos would take over in the last, as two majors to Emma King within the first five minutes of the last all but put the result to bed, with the Roos running around as eventual 25-point winners.
Following their impressive performance on the road, the Kangaroos will come up against the Western Buldogs this Friday at University of Tasmania Stadium, while the GWS will hope to secure its first win of 2019 over Carlton at home next Saturday.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 1.2 1.6 2.8 2.11 (23) NORTH MELBOURNE 2.2 3.2 4.4 7.6 (48)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Bonner, Eva
North Melbourne: King 2, Bateman 2, Garner, Gillespie-Jones, Abbatangelo
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Kearney, King, Bruton, Duffin, Stanton
North Melbourne: Beeson, Dal Pos, Staunton, Parker, Gum
TALKING POINTS
1. Is it too early to call North Melbourne Premiership Favorites?
Some big off-season recruiting by the Kangaroos saw them generate a lot of hype going into their first AFLW campaign, with many not knowing what to make of this assortment of stars and unknown recruits.
The first two games of the season have shown a side that has blended together beautifully, with big wins against Carlton (36 points) and now GWS (25 points), proving that the newcomers may just be the team to beat for 2019.
2. Gaelic stars making a splash for GWS
After the success of recruiting Irish veteran Cora Staunton to last year’s squad, the Giants have increased their Irish influence in 2019 with the exciting addition of Yvonne Bonner.
Playing their second game together, both Staunton and Bonner would be shining lights on an otherwise gloomy Friday night for the Giants, with the seasoned Staunton excellent in the middle claiming 15 disposals, while Bonner provided a spark up forward with 11 touches and a goal.
3. Wild weather steals the show at Drummoyne
Despite the exciting match that took place, it was clear that Sydney’s wild weather stole the headlines on what was a very bizarre night of football.
The threatening lightening that greeted the players on arrival would cause an extended 43-minute delay to proceedings, before disaster struck again with two light towers losing power, resulting in yet another delay in play.
For a competition played in summer, the conditions were most unusual with the girls forced to adapt to conditions most commonly seen in the middle of July.
COLLINGWOOD VS. MELBOURNE
By Chris Nice
MATCH SUMMARY
Melbourne played spoiler to Collingwood’s homecoming to Victoria Park on Saturday, emerging victorious by 17 points to get on the board in Season 2019.
Blustery conditions throughout the afternoon prevented the Demons from hitting the scoreboard to full effect, yet their 3.8 (26) was more than enough to overcome the Magpies’ 1.3 (9).
Collingwood were kept scoreless for two terms, as Wayne Siekman’s women struggled to find synergy between the attacking and defensive halves.
The Demons meanwhile had no such issue, as Elise O’Dea (26 disposals, five tackles, one goal) and Karen Paxman (18 disposals) carved through the Collingwood defence, with the red and blue dominating the inside 50 count 12-31 and possessions 133-209.
Ash Brazill (25 disposals) was one of the few shining lights for the home side, often being the last line in an unstructured defence. Although the 29-year-old was thrust into the midfield in the final quarter, the change wasn’t enough to spark a comeback from the Magpies.
The situation barely improved for the black and white army, with Emma Grant sidelined with a suspected AC injury.
Melbourne came out with all the intensity early, despite their first goal from O’Dea coming at the 13-minute mark of the second term. Paxman was just as dangerous, continually peppering the goals - albeit with inaccuracy - as she registered her side’s first four behinds of the game.
Collingwood managed to stifle the Dees’ midfield ascendancy in the third term thanks to their sheer numbers around the ball, but despite winning the clearance count for the quarter 8-3, weren’t able to score themselves.
Sarah Dargan managed to prevent the Pies from serving up a goalless performance, slotting Collingwood’s maiden major in the final quarter.
Melbourne will hope to go 2-1 next week when they face Brisbane this Sunday at Hickey Park, while Collingwood will endeavour to notch up its first win of the season on the road against Fremantle on Saturday.
COLLINGWOOD 0.2 0.2 0.2 1.3 (9) MELBOURNE 0.2 2.4 2.5 3.8 (26)
GOALS
Collingwood: Dargan
Melbourne: Hanks, O'Dea, Pearce
BEST
Collingwood: Brazill, Cann, Chiocci, D'Arcy
Melbourne: O'Dea, Paxman, Lampard, Pearce, Smith
TALKING POINTS
1. NO PEARCE, NO WORRIES
With the undisputed superstar of the AFLW in Daisy Pearce out of the Melbourne line-up as she awaits the birth of her twins, talk about a Demon midfield collapse was inevitable.
But even with Pearce absent, the midfield force of Elise O'Dea and Karen Paxman have stepped up to the plate over the past fortnight, with both putting on superb displays against the Magpie army.
O'Dea came close to surpassing the AFLW disposal record, notching up 26 disposals and a goal to boot, while her teammate in Paxman was instrumental in driving Melbourne forward with her 18 dispoals.
2. BRAZILL BRILLIANT IN DEFEAT
With a 1.3 scoreline at the final siren, there wasn't much for the Magpies to take away in terms of highlights.
Ash Brazill however provided a glimmer of hope for Collingwood, convincingly piecing together a team-best performance for the Magpies after being among the best afield last week against Geelong.
Brazill was a one-woman show on Saturday, with her 23 disposals and three tackles coming as a sweeping defender for majority of the game, a forward in the third term and a midfielder in the fourth; the latter two of which served as an attempt to reinvigorate the stagnant Magpies.
Unfortunately though, if the Pies are to record a win next week, she can't be their only saviour.
3. MAGPIES REGISTER ANOTHER POOR START TO THE YEAR
History often repeats itself, and in the case of the Magpies' starts to their seasons, this looks to be no exception.
In 2017 and 2018, Collingwood registered 0-3 figures and are yet to buck their poor start heading into the 2019 season.
With Brisbane on the road next on the agenda, the Magpies will need to put in an almighty effort to topple their unsavoury trend.
WESTERN BULLDOGS VS. GEELONG
By Zac Standish
MATCH SUMMARY
It was a beautiful night for football in Melbourne’s west, as the Western Bulldogs returned to Whitten Oval for a marquee Saturday night clash with Geelong; a game in which they emerged victorious by 18 points.
Having both registered wins to start the season, it was expected to be a tight contest from the outset as both sides came out ready for a tough battle.
Phoebe McWilliams would get the Cats off to a positive start, as they looked to overcome the loss of star Nina Morrison to a knee injury at training last week.
But it wouldn’t take long for the Dogs to kick into gear, as they managed to get the game back on even terms on the brink of quarter-time before unleashing with the wind in the second term.
Three goals within five minutes would highlight the class of the reigning premiers, with a long 45-meter bomb by star midfielder Ellie Blackburn getting the Bulldogs faithful out of their seats as they skipped away to a 16-point lead.
With their backs against the wall, Geelong began the third quarter in perfect fashion as some lovely build up play resulted in a class finish by Georgia Clark to cut the margin to 10 points.
Kicking against the wind and with the Cats coming hard, the Bulldogs would battle hard to move the ball into their forward 50, before Irish debutant Aisling McCarthy announced herself to the AFLW with an important goal.
With the margin at 16 points going into the final term, the Bulldogs looked to shut the Cats down, with their backline coming to the fore in a tight final term.
Despite no major being scored, both sides would pepper the sticks to no avail, before the final siren sounded to signal to Bulldogs' comfortable 18-point win.
The Bulldogs will hope to continue the perfect start to their premiership defence when they face the undefeated North Melbourne this Friday at University of Tasmania Stadium, while the Cats will be seeking a quick rebound in Sunday's encounter with Adelaide at Norwood Oval.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.0 4.0 5.0 5.4 (34) GEELONG 1.2 1.2 2.4 2.4 (16)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Berry, Blackburn, McCarthy, Utri, Toogood
Geelong: McWilliams, Clarke
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Conti, Blackburn, Lamb, Utri, Gogos
Geelong: McDonald, Purcell,Garling, Crockett-Grills, McWilliams
TALKING POINTS
1. BLACKBURN AND CO. CONTINUE WITHOUT KEARNEY
Following the major loss of 2018 AFLW MVP Emma Kearney to North Melbourne at the end of last season, many questioned whether the Dogs could replicate their previous successes without a pivotal piece of their midfield.
If the first two rounds are anything to go by, the Dogs seem to have well and truly moved on as they continue to dominate sides through the middle of the ground.
The Cats were no match for the class of the Dogs in this area, as Ellie Blackburn and Katie Brennan in particular were superb from start to finish, winning the clearances by nine and contested possessions by 13.
2. No Morrison a real worry for Cats
It was news that shocked the entire AFLW community to its core last Thursday afternoon, as Geelong’s star No. 1 draft pick went down with an ACL injury at training.
After claiming best on ground honours last week with 22 disposals and eight tackles, the Cats certainly missed Morrison's run and carry and ability to take over the game on, as they struggled to match the class of the Dogs.
In a league where star talent is imperative, Morrison could prove to be a massive blow to the Cats as they look to make an impression in their maiden AFLW season.
CARLTON VS. ADELAIDE
By Zac Standish
MATCH SUMMARY
A stellar four-goal haul from Stevie-Lee Thompson has steered Adelaide to victory over Carlton at IKON Park, with the visitors coming out on top by 13 points.
After suffering losses to North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs respectively, it was a crucial Sunday afternoon clash at as both sides were both desperate to get their seasons back on track.
Combining for three goals total last week, the Blues and Crows looked to remedy their scoring woes as goals rained early, with both striking twice early in the opening.
On their home deck for the first time in 2019, the Blues gained the ascendancy throughout the second quarter as they dominated field position to have the Crows well and truly on the back foot.
But only kicking the one goal as a result of their efforts would be a huge opportunity lost for the Blues, as a solid Adelaide defence kept them in the hunt with only four points separating the two at the main break.
After a slow second term, the game would turn substantially in the third as two quick goals to the Blues had the Crows on the ropes and at risk of 0-2 for the second straight year.
Remarkably, Matthew Clarke’s women would re-energise and begin to completely run over the top of the Blues as they piled on six goals in eleven minutes spanning over the end of third term and beginning of the fourth to blow the game wide open and give them a substantial lead.
Thompson would be the star for the Crows, bagging four goals in a best on ground performance, while 2017 MVP Erin Phillips was pivotal in getting her side back in the game with 21 disposals and a crucial goal.
A late goal to Madison Prespaskis would give the Blues some brief hope, but the Crows would end up being too good running out 13-point victors.
Carlton will seek redemption this Saturday against Greater Western Sydney at Blacktown International Sportspark, while Adelaide will return to Norwood Oval on Sunday in the hopes of going 2-1 against Geelong.
CARLTON 2.0 3.0 6.1 7.2 (44) ADELAIDE 2.2 2.2 6.2 9.3 (57)
GOALS
Carlton: Plane 2, Vescio, Loynes, Dalton, Moody, Prespakis
Adelaide: Thompson 4, Jones 2, Perkins, Phillips, Foley
BEST
Carlton: Prespakis, Harrington, Plane, Van Dyk, Audley
Adelaide: Thompson, Hatchard, Phillips, Marinoff, Jones
TALKING POINTS
1. Stevie-Lee sparks incredible Crows comeback
A relative no-name in the AFLW world before Sunday afternoon, Adelaide small forward Stevie-Lee Thompson announced herself with an incredible breakout game at IKON Park.
With star captain Erin Phillips gathering the majority of opposition attention inside the Crows' forward 50, Thompson would slip beneath the cracks on multiple occasions to cause nightmares for the Blues.
Claiming 17 disposals and four goals, Thompson’s football IQ and poise around the goals were highlights of her game and critical to Adelaide's comeback.
2. Blues need to find their mojo
One of the more underwhelming sides in the AFLW’s brief existence, Carlton have again got off to a poor start in 2019 following disappointing losses to North Melbourne and now Adelaide.
The Blues did show glimpses of what they can produce at their best on Sunday afternoon, as they displayed some excellent transition football to outplay the Crows for large parts of the match.
But when it matters, this team has shown an inability to hit the scoreboard and stop the opposition from gaining important momentum.
With star forward Tayla Harris set to return in the coming weeks, Carlton simply need to start putting their good work on the scoreboard and get back into the season.
FREMANTLE VS. BRISBANE
By Nick D'Urbano
MATCH SUMMARY
Fremantle continued its strong start to the season, knocking off a second flag contender in the space of a week after defeating Brisbane by 27 points at Fremantle Oval on Sunday evening.
After defeating Melbourne on the road last week, the Dockers continued their strong start to 2019 as they slammed home six goals to three in the second half to storm home.
Brisbane were the dominant side early, kicking three goals to one and were spurred on by the solid form of Jess Wuetschner (two goals) and Alexandra Anderson (26 disposals, one goal) who helped establish their early dominance.
But a scoreless second term from the Lions saw the Dockers wrestle back the ascendancy as Gabby O’Sullivan (two goals) and Sabreena Duffy took over, gifting Fremantle a 10-point lead at the major break.
In a third term arm wrestle, Brisbane failed to capitalise on their dominance upon getting the game within three points thanks to some Wuetschner class, before goals from Ebony Antonio and Ashley Sharp kicked the Dockers out to a 20-point lead at the final change.
In the end, Fremantle were able to hold on and were led brilliantly by Dana Hooker (24 disposals, five tackles) and captain Kara Donellan (14 disposals, three tackles) as the Dockers tied themselves with both North Melbourne and reigning premiers, the Western Bulldogs on eight points in Conference A.
The Dockers still sit outside the top-two on percentage, but will go into next week against the winless Collingwood at home full of confidence as they look to compete with two of the competition high-flyers.
For Brisbane, they still sit top of Conference B on percentage ahead of Geelong as they will look to get back on the winners list when they face Melbourne at home on Sunday.
FREMANTLE 1.2 4.5 6.5 10.7 (67) BRISBANE 3.1 3.1 4.3 6.4 (40)
GOALS
Fremantle: Sharp 2, Duffy 2, O'Sullivan 2, Antonio, Atkins, Houghton, Gooch
Brisbane: Wuetschner 2, Exon 2, McCarthy, Anderson
BEST
Fremantle: Hooker, Donnellan, Sharp, Duffy, O'Sullivan
Brisbane: Anderson, Wuetschner, Exon, Bates, Zanchetta
TALKING POINTS
1. A FRESHER FREO AND A GROOVE AROUND GOAL
New Fremantle coach, Trent Cooper has completely swung the tide in the west after two seasons in a row finishing second-last.
In a stacked conference where the other four sides are all capable of making finals this season, the Dockers are starting to kick clear and have put themselves right in the mixer for a first finals appearance since the competition’s inception.
The Dockers are also the highest scoring side in AFLW and that has been largely due to the form of their key players in around the big sticks: Ashley Sharp has slotted four goals in two games, Gemma Houghton has three, as does young gun, Sabreena Duffy.
After two seasons of stale form around goal, Fremantle look to have found their groove around goal and are fast becoming one of the most exciting teams in the league.
2. LIONS SLIGHTLY OFF, BUT DEFINITELY NOT OUT
It was a disappointing night for Brisbane.
After a strong start and a courageous win the week before, the Lions looked back to their best which has seen them as constants as the pinnacle of AFLW since the competition's early days.
Star forward, Sabrina Frederick-Traub was unable to impose herself on the contest as the Lions failed to break down the Dockers wall in defence.
However, it’s not panic stations yet as they still sit top of Conference B, which is shaping up to be the weaker of the two.
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