Source :- THE AGE NEWS
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.
Midfielder Olivia Purcell (26 disposals) was at the centre of the post-halftime blitz, slotting two majors, while Jorja Livingstone scored on her debut in the final quarter.
Tyla Hanks (32 disposals, one goal) also excelled, but it came as Gall sustained an ankle injury, which could be a huge blow for Melbourne because she has already built on a stellar 2025 campaign with five goals this year.
It is the second consecutive loss for the Blues (4-2) and dents their top-four aspirations, although midfielder Claudia Whitfort was typically busy with 24 disposals.
AAP
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.
Statistician Swamp has listed which North Melbourne players lined up in every one of the team’s undefeated matches over the past two-and-a-bit seasons.
The run was finally stopped at 33 games by Hawthorn in Cairns on Friday night with Roos Libby Birch, Tess Craven, Jasmine Ferguson, Tahlia Randall, Ash Riddell and Ruby Tripodi playing in every win or draw in the unbeaten run.
Birch (a columnist for this masthead) also missed the clash through injury. Maybe she is their lucky charm.
Hawthorn have scored the biggest win of the AFLW season, and one of the most significant in the history of the competition, as they ended North Melbourne’s winning streak of 32 games in a tight contest in Cairns.
Jacqueline Dupuy kicked a goal with seven minutes remaining that took the Hawks’ lead to seven points before the Roos’ Irish star Blaithin Bogue kicked a goal to bring her side back to within a point.
But Lucy Wales came up with a booming kick with 90 seconds to play that sealed the win.
It was the perfect start to the weekend for the Hawks, ahead of Saturday’s AFL preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions, when they will also start as underdogs against the two-time defending premiers.
Good evening, folks.
Round six of the AFLW has started with a bang, with the Hawks taking on reigning premiers North Melbourne in Cairns.
Stay tuned across the weekend for all the round’s on-field action and the latest W news.
