Round 3 of the AFLW has come to a close, with the competition beginning to separate the stronger teams from the rest of the pack.
North Melbourne and Fremantle continue to reign supreme with their perfect 3-0 figures, while for Collingwood and Greater Western Sydney, a win has proved to be extremely elusive, with Wayne Siekman in particularly beginning to feel the heat.
With the remaining sides keeping their seasons afloat and a logjam of sides hot on the heels of the Roos and Dockers, there can't be so much as a hiccup should they wish to make a finals appearance in just over a month.
Catch our latest instalment of A Week in the W to review the excitement from the week and what the path ahead for each team will look like heading into Round 4.
NORTH MELBOURNE VS. WESTERN BULLDOGS
By Nick D'Urbano
MATCH SUMMARY
North Melbourne has continued its brilliant start to life in the AFLW, with a 31-point victory over the reigning premiers in Launceston on Friday night.
A four-goal haul from debutant Courtney Munn set up the win for the expansion outfit, who continue to flex their muscles and in the process, send a major statement to the rest of the competition.
North were led brilliantly from the front by former Bulldog Emma Kearney (17 disposals, one goal), Jenna Bruton (22 disposals, six tackles) and Jamie Stanton (20 disposals, seven marks) as they ran away with the five-goal win.
After a goalless opening term from either side, the Kangaroos put their foot down with an unanswered five-goal second quarter, with Munn taking control of the contest in an incredible first-up display.
The Bulldogs could have been right back in the game had it not been for desperate defending from Brittany Gibson in the third term, who ran down Belinda Smith as the goals beckoned in front of her.
Katie Brennan was able to kick the first of the final term as she got the margin back to 17 points, but Munn stood up again kicking back to back goals and sealing the game in the process.
North Melbourne currently sit top of Conference A on percentage ahead of fellow undefeated side, Fremantle, while the Bulldogs sit second-last on eight points after being handed their first defeat of 2019.
The Roos will next face Melbourne at Casey Fields on Sunday afternoon, while the Western Bulldogs host Brisbane in a Grand Final rematch at VU Whitten Oval.
NORTH MELBOURNE 0.2 5.3 5.3 8.5 (53)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.1 0.3 1.4 3.4 (22)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Munn 4, Ashmore, Garner, Hope, Duffin
Western Bulldogs: Mackie, Utri, Brennan
BEST
North Melbourne: Munn, Bruton, Kearney, Stanton, Ashmore
Western Bulldogs: Conti, Brennan, Blackburn, Gogos, Lamb
TALKING POINTS
1. ROOS RAMPANT
North Melbourne’s dominance this season is coming as no surprise.
After their shrewd recruiting on the off-season - which included the likes of Emma Kearney, Jasmine Garner, Moana Hope and Kaityln Ashmore being added to their ranks - the Roos have taken on the mantle of being the team to beat in just its very short tenure in the AFLW.
Their average winning margin in the first three games sits at 30 points, and with such performances week-in-week-out, it will be no surprise to see them come away with the flag this year.
2. A TIGHT CONFERENCE
Both the Roos and the Bulldogs are locked in a very tight conference, which is easily shaping to be the tougher of the two.
Four of the five sides are performing better than Carlton - the top-side in Conference B with just one win to their name - putting them head and shoulders above the pack.
At the same time, the margin for error is minimal should they wish to play finals footy.
The Bulldogs, after losing their first game of the season, now have to play catch-up, and while one win could slot them straight back in the mix, the opposite could be said of North Melbourne should they concede victory next week.
3. BULLDOGS HAVE A FIGHT ON THEIR HANDS
The Bulldogs face a mammoth task to get back into the running for Conference A as their percentage took a major hit on Friday night.
In all, it was a tame effort from the Bulldogs who looked way off the pace from the start as they were overran by the flag favourites.
In the two quarters where they were able to nullify the North’s forward line, their attack was unable to capitalise and make it count on the scoreboard, leading to their hefty defeat as the Roos picked them apart in the remaining terms.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY VS. CARLTON
By Chris Nice
MATCH SUMMARY
Carlton has attained its first win in over a year, accounting for Greater Western Sydney at Blacktown International Sportspark by 29 points with its highest-ever score.
The Blues pieces together a consistent and physical four quarters of football, and despite patches of good form from the Giants, were able to come away with the four points.
Alan McConnell’s women had far less reason to celebrate, with GWS joining Collingwood in a 0-3 start to the season.
While for the most part the two sides were evenly matched on the stats sheet, the differentials between the inside 50s (21-33), marks (20-44) and uncontested possessions (80-100) were telling in the Giants’ demise.
Carlton were fronted brilliantly by treasured draft pick Madison Prespakis, and powerhouse forward Tayla Harris, who each bagged three majors to steer the Blues to victory.
Prespakis’ 21 disposals for the afternoon cemented the young Blue as the best afield, with the 18-year-old showing class and talent well beyond her years.
Harris meanwhile was an ominous presence up forward with six marks, yet will find herself missing valuable game time after a high bump on Pepa Randall in the shadows of the final term ruled her out for a week.
The Blues got off to manic starts in every quarter, with Darcy Vescio often the catalyst for potential goalscoring opportunities.
While tempers boiled over in the opening term - with Louise Stephenson not taking kindly to a Sarah Hosking spoil and flattening the Blue as the ball tumbled out of bounds - Carlton remained on top of their flat-footed opponents, who weren’t able to execute despite wrestling momentum back in their favour on several occasions.
Irish import Yvonne Bonner (13 disposals, eight marks) tried to reignite the Giants with a crafty sidestep and goal from the right pocket in the second quarter, and while the luck of the Irish continued with Cora Staunton kicking true from the opposite pocket, Harris was adept at playing spoiler up the other end of the ground.
Her 10-minute patch on the paint the 50 resulted in four marks, a goal assist to Prespakis and a major of her own, with the ex-Lion integral in Carlton’s four-goal quarter.
The Giants again had their chances in the third - and even had a little bit of luck on their side as Christina Bernardi’s first major of the term bounced off her kneecap - but couldn’t compete with Carlton’s run and fluency when entering forward 50.
Prespakis’ third major all but sealed the deal heading into three-quarter time, and with Courtney Gun hampered with a corked quad in the final term, the Giants has no answer to compete with the visitors.
Carlton will be hoping to take their tally to 2-2 when they face Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night, while Greater Western Sydney faces the prospect of being the only winless team in the league when they come up against Collingwood at Morwell Recreational Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 1.1 3.2 5.4 5.6 (36) CARLTON 2.2 6.4 8.4 10.5 (65)
GOALS Greater Western Sydney: Bernardi 2, Barclay, Bonner, Staunton Carlton: Prespakis 3, Harris 2, Pound, Vescio, Harris, Downie, Gee
BEST Greater Western Sydney: Bonner, Beeson, Parker, Bernardi, Stephenson Carlton: Prespakis, Harris, S.Hosking, Davey, Harrington, Gee
TALKING POINTS
1. HARRIS IN HOT WATER
Tayla Harris had pieced together a blinder, with her three-goal display steering the Blues to victory over the Giants.
But the key forward will find herself on the sidelines yet again, receiving a one-match suspension after bumping Pepa Randall high in the closing moments of the game.
Although the Giant played out the rest of the game, the bump came marginally late and Harris’ focus was directed toward Randall or not the ball.
While it’s a massive loss for Carlton next week, should Darcy Vescio retain her pressure-laden form and Madison Prespakis continues to hit the scoreboard, the Blues may just sneak away with the win.
2. PRESPAKIS PRICELESS
At just 18 years of age, Madison Prespakis has quickly shown herself to be one of the most dangerous players in the league.
The prized recruit booted three goals to go alongside her 21 disposals, with her physicality and nous around the contest crucial in driving Carlton to its highest-ever score.
Averaging 18 disposals a game, Prespakis has assumed a key role in the Blues’ midfield alongside skipper Bri Davey, with the blend of youth and experience a promising prospect for the Blues.
3. GIANT TROUBLE
Now sitting at 0-3, the Giants’ season is appearing to be slipping away as a win proves to be difficult week after week.
GWS were beaten convincingly by Carlton’s sleeker ball movement forward, and while the clearances were even for both sides, it was the Giants’ lack of polish which proved costly.
Quiet outings from stars Courtney Gum and Alicia Eva did little to help the cause, the GWS only challenging Carlton in brief patches.
It’s an ominous situation for the Giants next week, who may find themselves as the only winless side for AFLW 3 when they come up against Collingwood next week.
FREMANTLE VS. COLLINGWOOD
By Nick D'Urbano
MATCH SUMMARY
Fremantle has continued its fantastic start to 2019 after inflicting another hefty blow on Collingwood’s season with a 33-point win at Fremantle Oval on Saturday evening.
The Dockers - who have been the highest scoring team in the new season - completely obliterated their opponents, who have struggled to hit the scoreboard all season.
Fremantle were in complete control from the first bounce, keeping the Magpies goalless in the opening half for the second week in a row as Ebony Antonio kicked two opening half goals to cement an early lead for her side.
The work of Kara Donnellan (19 disposals) and Parris Laurie (16 disposals) was similarly key in setting up the Dockers early dominance, with the midfield force unable to be matched by the visitors.
With a 31-point lead at half-time, the Magpies paltry attack had only went inside 50 six times compared to 23 from the Dockers, who continued to show newfound confidence under new coach, Trent Cooper.
Collingwood were finally off the mark when Sarah D’Arcy slammed home their first to bring them back into proceedings, but Freo were simply too strong as Kellie Gibson added a goal before the final change which led to the home side taking home the chocolates.
The only bright spark out of the game for the Magpies was the form of Brittany Bonnici (13 disposals) and Ash Brazill (13 disposals) who continued their solid form, but the hapless Collingwood outfit under Wayne Siekman is facing a major challenge to turn things around.
In terrible news for Fremantle, debutant Brianna Moyes went down with a knee injury which saw her unable to return and potentially faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Fremantle now sit second in Conference A behind North Melbourne only by percentage, while Collingwood are rooted to the bottom of Conference B.
The Dockers will travel to take on the in-form Crows in Darwin on Saturday night, with Collingwood having another day's rest before they travel to Morwell to face fellow winless side, GWS on Sunday.
FREMANTLE 2.1 5.3 6.8 7.9 (51) COLLINGWOOD 0.1 0.2 1.4 2.6 (18)
GOALS Fremantle: Antonio 2, Gibson 2, Hooker, Bowers, Grieve Collingwood: D'Arcy, Lambert
BEST Fremantle: Donnellan, Laurie, Antonio, Gibson, Hooker, Miller Collingwood: D'Arcy, Bonnici, Brazill, Livingstone, Lambert, Dargan
TALKING POINTS
1. COOPER LEADS FREO'S CHARGE
The changes which have taken place under Trent Cooper at Fremantle have been remarkable as they continue to surge into a finals position.
Slipping up, however, could cost them as they are in a very tight conference and are trailed by the plucky Crows, Demons and Bulldogs who are all a game behind.
Although Freo would be confident their firing forward line can get them another much-needed win, when they take on Erin Phillips and the fit and firing Crows on Saturday they will definitely need to bring their A-game.
2. PIES' FORWARD LINE SHAMBLES
While Collingwood's poor starts to the seasons have been well-documented, the equally remarkable story to come out of this game is Collingwood’s hapless forward line.
A total of six goals have been kicked by the struggling Magpies outfit, who have failed to clear 25 points in each of their opening three games.
A lack of potency inside their forward arc is coming back to bite Collingwood, who showed signs of pushing for a finals berth last season when they finished the season strongly.
However, the pressure is now on Wayne Siekman, who is facing major scrutiny for their poor form – but their saving grace is still only being a game outside the finals race in a rather lacklustre conference.
A win against GWS could all but turn their fortunes around.
3. FREMANTLE ON THE OTHER HAND...
Another week, and another potent effort from the Freo forward line, who continue to amaze in 2019.
An average of 59 points a game puts them as the best attack out of all sides in the new season as they look to stamp a spot in the finals for the first time.
If the likes of Donnellan and Co. can continue their blistering form, expect the Dockers to be playing a role in the Finals and potentially bringing some long-awaited silverware to the purple side of Perth.
ADELAIDE VS. GEELONG
By Zac Standish
MATCH SUMMARY
Adelaide has continued its good form with a pivotal 29-point win over Geelong at Norwood Oval to keep them in hunt in a tightly contested Conference A.
With both sides sitting at 1-1, this match was one of significant importance as it gave the winner a great platform to push for finals and see the loser faced with an uphill battle as the halfway point of the season approaches.
Co-Captain Phillips would be the star of the day with three goals and 19 disposals, while Ebony Marinoff and Hatchard were prolific through the middle of the ground with 33 and 27 disposals respectively - Marinoff's numbers becoming an AFLW record.
From the first bounce it was evident that the 2017 premiers were on song, as Phillips put her side on the board within the first three minutes courtesy of a tough set shot from the northern end boundary.
The Cats would bounce back quickly as some excellent forward pressure by Mia-Rae Clifford would give her a set shot in front of goal to level up proceedings midway through the first term.
But with the Crows dominating around the ground, it would be a matter of time before they skipped away on the scoreboard as a second to Phillips late in the first would result in a second quarter onslaught from the home side.
Piling on four goals to the Cats' one, the Crows showed themselves to be a side to be reckoned with in 2019 as they moved the ball with great precision and pace.
With Phillips at her damaging best with three goals and 15 disposals in the first half, the Crows would skip away to a commanding 28-point advantage at the main change with the stats showing complete domination.
After a fast-flowing second term, the third quarter would take a different turn as the Cats locked down to keep the Crows scoreless for the first 12 minutes in a bid to stem the bleeding.
It would take a costly turnover from a kick-out to open the account for the third quarter, as Dana Varnhagen gathered on the run and goalled from a tight angle to extend Adelaide’s margin to 35 points.
With all hope seemingly gone, a class finish from Danielle Oar would spark a quick Cats' revival as two goals within 30 seconds would give them life heading into the final term.
Needing to finish the Cats off, Hatchard’s great day would continue as she converted from a stoppage to extend Adelaide’s lead back out to five goals.
Another quickly after to Chloe Scheer would close the door on Geelong, as the Crows sent an emphatic message to the rest of the competition with a comprehensive 29-point win.
ADELAIDE 2.2 6.4 7.5 10.6 (66) GEELONG 1.0 2.0 4.0 6.1 (37)
GOALS Adelaide: Phillips 3, Scheer 2, Jones, Forth, Varnhagen, Hatchard, Thompson Geelong: Clifford 2, Purcell, Orr, Van De Heuvel, McWilliams
BEST Adelaide: Marinoff, Phillips, Hatchard, Randall, Foley, Varnhagen Geelong: Cranston, Clarke, McDonald, Keryk
TALKING POINTS
1. Tackling machine Marinoff taking her game to a new level in 2019
Renowned for her attack on the ball and tough tackling skills, it seems as if star Adelaide midfielder Ebony Marinoff is beginning to further enhance the attacking element to her game.
On a brilliant day for her team, Marinoff was prolific all day for the Crows amassing a record 33 disposals in the win and becoming only the second AFLW player to have more than 30 in a match.
With new coach Matthew Clarke’s game style built around winning around the contest, Marinoff has slotted in perfectly as she begins to blossom into one of the competition’s best players.
2. Time to worry as season begins to slip away from Geelong
After a big win to begin their AFLW campaign against Collingwood in Round 1 at Kardinia Park, things have gone from bad to worse for the Cats who have now comprehensively dropped their last two games against the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide.
Surrounded with much promise going into the season, the Cats have suffered a number of blows, with the ACL injury to star No. 1 draft pick Nina Morrison in particular having a huge effect on their season.
Now at 1-2 with a low percentage, Geelong need to gather themselves and start getting wins on the board in order to secure themselves a finals birth in the weaker Conference B.
3. Erin Phillips continues to prove she is the best in the business
It was a masterclass from the 2017 MVP, as Erin Phillips reminded everyone that she is still by far the best player in the AFLW with a sizzling first half.
In a crucial eight point match for her side, Phillips led from the front early as she amassed an incredible 15 disposals and three goals in the first two quarters to get the Crows out to a healthy lead early.
Highlighted by her power around the stoppages, clean hands, excellent skills and incredible goal sense, it really was a joy to watch as she made the Geelong defenders sweat any time she was near the footy.
BRISBANE VS. MELBOURNE
By Zac Standish
MATCH SUMMARY
Melbourne has claimed its second straight win of the year with a dominant victory over Brisbane away from home at Hickey Park.
Aliesha Newman would be the star for Melbourne up forward, snagging three goals and 19 disposals in a telling display, while Karen Paxman was at her prolific best through the midfield, picking up 24 disposals and a goal.
After a very solid outing against Collingwood at Victoria Park last week, Melbourne would bring that same energy and enthusiasm up north as they got away to a quick start courtesy of two pieces of magic by Newman.
It would be an impressive opening quarter for Melbourne around the ground, however a late goal to Brisbane's Jesse Tawhia-Wardlaw would see the deficit just six points at the first change.
But Melbourne's unanswered five-goal second term would be all the damage that was needed, with a freakish snap from Kat Smith midway through the stanza proving to be a goal of the year contender.
With the margin at a handsome 34 points at the main break, a more determined Brisbane side came out for the second half as they looked to lock down defensively and get back into the game.
Only giving up one goal for the quarter, the Lions were solid in defence but couldn't translate their to efficiency up the other end, as they only managed to put through one goal to see the margin sitting at 32 points going into the final term.
With the match almost certainly decided, Melbourne would inflict some more pain early on in the last term as full forward Tegan Cunningham marked and goalled inside the first two minutes.
With potential scoring records on the cards, Brisbane would again manage to stop the flow of Melbourne’s attack and save some credibility with a goal after the siren to Kate McCarthy seeing the margin cut to 39 points at the final siren.
BRISBANE 1.1 1.1 2.3 3.3 (21) MELBOURNE 2.1 7.5 8.5 9.6 (60)
GOALS Brisbane: Wardlaw, Exon, McCarthy Melbourne: Newman 3, Jakobsson 2, Paxman, Smith, Zanker, Cunningham
BEST Brisbane: Exon, Anderson, Lutkins, Wardlaw Melbourne: Paxman, Newman, Cordner, Pearce, O'Dea, Zanker
TALKING POINTS
1. No Daisy, No worries for Dees
It was an intriguing build to season three of the AFLW for the Demons, with many writing off the girls in red and blue due to the absence of captain Daisy Pearce.
However, three weeks into the season it seems as if the Demons have successfully managed to deal with the hole left by their skipper and adapt well with the likes of Karen Paxman, Lauren Pearce, Elise O’Dea and Catherine Phillips picking up the slack through the middle of the ground.
Having now reeled off two straight wins, the signs are looking good for Melbourne as they press for finals in a tightly contested Conference A.
2. Unsung defender quells the dangerous Frederick-Traub
Without a doubt the face of the Brisbane Lions AFLW side, it is always a challenge trying to stop the height and strength of Sabrina Frederick-Traub, who since the inception of the AFLW has been one of the competitions standout performers.
In such a crucial match, undersized Demons defender Harriet Cordner would come up trumps against the All-Australian, keeping Frederick-Traub to just four disposals and having her best game of the season with 12 disposals and four marks.
With the likes of Erin Phillips and Moana Hope coming up against the Demons in coming weeks, Cordner will be a hugely important player as she develops into one of the competition’s toughest defenders.
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