Source : ABC NEWS
Melbourne is the only unbeaten side after six rounds of the AFLW season, producing a statement 34-point win over Carlton at Casey Fields.
But the Demons 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 an upset to topple defending premiers North Melbourne, the Demons knew a win over the Blues would lift them into top spot on the ladder and establish a 6-0 (win-loss) 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 the victory.
Midfielder Olivia Purcell (26 disposals) was at the centre of the blitz, slotting two majors, while Jorja Livingstone scored on debut in the final quarter.
Tyla Hanks (32 disposals, one goal) also excelled, but it came as Gall sustained her injury.
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.
Cats in fifth straight win
Aishling Moloney produced a goal-of-the-year contender to help Geelong to a 14.6 (90) to 7.7 (49) triumph over Collingwood at Victoria Park.
Knowing a victory would shore up their position inside the top eight, the Cats (5-1) were given a scare when the winless Magpies levelled scores minutes after the main break.
But the visitors flicked a switch, finding six goals in an electrifying third quarter to take a 31-point lead into the final break.
One of those majors was from Moloney, who booted the ball from halfway before it took a favourable flurry of bounces and crept into the goal.
Loading Twitter content
The Cats tightened the screws in the final quarter, keeping Collingwood goal-less to seal their fifth straight win.
Midfielders Nina Morrison (30 disposals), Mikayla Bowen (29 disposals) and Georgie Prespakis (12 clearances) were prolific for the Cats, while Moloney and Chloe Scheer grabbed three and four majors respectively.
While the loss kept the Magpies (0-6) winless, they enjoyed a highlight when half-forward Olivia Lewis booted a goal on her AFLW debut after shifting from Super Netball’s Melbourne Mavericks to the Magpies.
Lewis was a late call-up on Saturday morning because midfielder Bri Davey was ill.
Swans move clear in top four
Chloe Molloy continued her glittering goal-scoring form, spearheading Sydney to a 14-point victory over Port Adelaide.
Chloe Molloy played a starring role for the Swans. (Getty Images: Mark Brake)
The Swans (5-1) knew a win at Alberton Oval would move them four points clear of the fifth-placed Blues.
Molloy was instrumental in helping the visitors secure the precious 5.11 (41) to 3.9 (27) victory, booting three goals.
Her dazzling display came despite the Power keeping Sydney’s usually dynamic attack at bay in the first half, with the scores locked at 16-16 at the main break.
The Swans stepped up in the third quarter, with Molloy booting a crucial goal, although a late major by Gemma Houghton kept the Power in the contest.
Leading by four points at three-quarter time, young Swans forward Cynthia Hamilton snagged a settling major, before Molloy kicked another to open up a match-winning advantage.
Swans defender Zippy Fish was typically influential, picking up 26 disposals, while midfielder Montana Ham had 16 possessions.
Midfielder Abbey Dowrick was a shining light for the Power (2-4), racking up a match-high 27 disposals and 415 metres gained.
Triumphant Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs held firm to claim a 6.4 (40) to 4.6 (30) victory over Fremantle.
Looking to jump into the top eight, the Bulldogs (4-2) were kept scoreless in the opening term in Perth but kicked four unanswered majors in the second quarter to lead by 11 points at half-time.
Loading Twitter content
The Dockers tightened their defence in the third quarter, holding the visitors to just one point as they surged back after Hayley Miller and Kiara Bowers found goals.
But just 17 seconds into the final quarter, a series of slick handballs led to Bulldogs forward Heidi Woodley slotting a major, before Sarah Hartwig nailed a goal to help her team move up to seventh on the ladder.
The Dockers (3-3) missed an opportunity to cement themselves inside the top eight, although Bowers (23 disposals, eight tackles and one goal) was busy, while midfielders Gabrielle Newton and Aisling McCarthy posted 24 possessions each.
Defender Jess Fitzgerald (25 disposals) shone for the Bulldogs, and midfielder Isabelle Pritchard jagged 21 disposals and a goal.
AAP
