Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Sydney have confirmed their home AFLW elimination final against the Western Bulldogs after overcoming Wharfie Time and a horror injury to beat Fremantle by one point.
Play was held up for 10 minutes in the first quarter on Sunday at Cockburn before Swans ruck Caitlin Reid was stretchered from the field. She was felled by a clash of heads with Fremantle’s Hayley Miller.
After Sydney rallied in the second half and took the lead, Miller snapped a goal to bring the Dockers to within one point and Wharfie Time was sounded, with less than 90 seconds on the clock.
But just as the crowd activation backfired horribly in the AFL grand final loss to Brisbane, the Dockers could not score again.
Chloe Molloy took a game-saving mark with 15 seconds left and the Swans won 5.7 (37) to 5.6 (36), denying Dockers star Ash Brazill a farewell win.
Molloy kicked four goals to break the AFLW goalkicking record with 28, two up on Hawthorn’s Aine McDonagh and Geelong forward Jackie Perry. Sydney racked up nine wins, a club record.
“It’s a good catapult … into the finals, close wins like that,” Molloy told Fox Footy.
“It always brings out a bit extra energy, especially when you hear Wharfie Time.”
Geelong will host Melbourne, followed by reigning premiers North Melbourne against Carlton in a qualifying-final double header next Saturday afternoon at Ikon Park.
Sydney expect to pack out Henson Park on Sunday against the Bulldogs, before Gold Coast host Hawthorn in the other elimination final.
AAP
Melbourne and Sydney are sweating on injuries that soured their wins a week out from the AFLW finals.
Demons captain Kate Hore suffered a shoulder injury late in Sunday’s 6.11 (47) to 3.11 (29) win over Adelaide, although coach Tom Wilson said the star onballer would be fine.
But there’s no word so far about Sydney ruck Caitlin Reid, who was taken to hospital after her nasty head clash with Fremantle opponent Hayley Miller.
Play was stopped for several minutes in the first quarter of the late Sunday game at Cockburn, before Reid was taken off the field on a stretcher.
Sydney have confirmed their home AFLW elimination final against the Western Bulldogs after overcoming Wharfie Time and a horror injury to beat Fremantle by one point.
Play was held up for 10 minutes in the first quarter on Sunday at Cockburn before Swans ruck Caitlin Reid was stretchered from the field. She was felled by a clash of heads with Fremantle’s Hayley Miller.
After Sydney rallied in the second half and took the lead, Miller snapped a goal to bring the Dockers to within one point and Wharfie Time was sounded, with less than 90 seconds on the clock.
But just as the crowd activation backfired horribly in the AFL grand final loss to Brisbane, the Dockers could not score again.
The AFL ruled that this was an indiscretion and should have been a free kick.
Second Qualifying Final
Geelong Cats v Melbourne
Saturday, 7 November
IKON Park, 1.05pm AEDT
First Qualifying Final
North Melbourne v Carlton
Saturday, 7 November
IKON Park, 4.05pm AEDT
Second Elimination Final
Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs
Sunday, 8 November
Henson Park, 1.05pm AEDT
First Elimination Final
Gold Coast SUNS v Hawthorn
Sunday, 8 November
People First Stadium, 3.05pm AEDT/ 2.05pm AEST
Melbourne have given themselves a confidence boost ahead of their blockbuster AFLW qualifying final, overcoming Adelaide by 18 points despite an injury concern to star Kate Hore.
At a wet Unley Oval on Sunday, the Demons claimed a third consecutive victory and ended their regular season 10-2 by prevailing 6.11 (47) to 3.11 (29).
But they may have to sweat on midfielder Hore, who was left holding her shoulder after Jemmika Douglas bumped her in the dying minutes of the clash.
Tyla Hanks insists the team’s captain will be fine for next week’s final against the high-flying Geelong, telling the Seven Network the four-time All-Australian is “pretty tough”.
