Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Caitlin Greiser has kicked a goal with 72 seconds remaining to lift Richmond to a thrilling five-point AFLW win over Essendon in a nail biting Dreamtime classic in Darwin.
In front of more than 4000 fans at TIO Stadium on Sunday night, Richmond kicked three goals in the third quarter to reduce a 14-point half-time deficit to just one point.
The final quarter was a tense affair, with no team able to kick a goal until Richmond struck at the death.
Beth Lynch sent the ball forward with a long kick before Katie Brennan picked up the crumbs from a dropped mark to fire a handball to Greiser at the top of the goal square.
Carlton have hung on after a dramatic finish to defeat Fremantle by six points and improve their record to a perfect 3-0 this season.
The Blues led by 13 points with two minutes remaining, but a goal to Gabby O’Sullivan followed by the bells of “Wharfie Time” had Fremantle players sniffing a late charge.
Kiara Bowers had the chance to close the margin to one point with 30 seconds to go, but her running shot from 30m out missed.
Carlton held firm in the frantic final moments to seal the win, 7.6 (48) to 6.6 (42), leaving Fremantle with a 1-2 record. Bowers was huge with 27 disposals, five clearances and 11 tackles, but she was left to rue her return of 0.3.
Geelong have pulled off a brave victory under renowned AFLW coach Mick Stinear, overcoming a triple injury blow to defeat Gold Coast by seven points at People First Stadium.
With Emma Kilpatrick, Priya Bowering and Piper Dunlop suffering game-ending injuries, Geelong looked set to be overrun after the youthful Suns closed to within one point early in the final quarter.
But led by star midfielder Georgie Prespakis (33 disposals, eight clearances, nine tackles, 408m gained) and forward Chloe Sheer (three goals), Geelong hit back hard when the game was in the balance to secure the 10.4 (64) to 8.9 (57) win.
Sunday’s result improved Geelong’s record to 2-1 under new coach Stinear, who led Melbourne for a decade before moving across to the Cats.
Port Adelaide lost have star forward Indy Tahau to a suspected serious knee injury, overshadowing a thrilling four-point win over GWS in Canberra.
Tahau, who previously tore her left ACL, was helped off with a right knee injury late in the third quarter of Port Adelaide’s 7.10 (52) to 8.0 (48) victory at Manuka Oval.
“It’s difficult. Indy’s such a great player for us. Obviously she’s still being assessed and we hope for the best,” coach Glenn Strachan told Fox Footy.
It was a tight contest all day and Port led by nine at three-quarter-time before Brodee Mowbray goaled twice to put GWS in front.
On a sun-soaked Sunday afternoon at Casey Fields, Melbourne finally beat their bogey team.
The Demons clinched their maiden premiership in the 2022 grand final against the Lions, but lost every single encounter to Brisbane in the three years thereafter.
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But Melbourne finally revived the rivalry on Sunday in the AFLW’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round, triumphing over a shell-shocked and injury-marred Brisbane by 56 points, thanks to three goals from Ryleigh Wotherspoon and a career-best performance from Tahlia Gillard.
Under the stewardship of new coach Tom Wilson – who took over from veteran Mick Stinear – Melbourne have now won their opening three games.
In Coffs Harbour, the Swans kept the Saints goalless until the final term in a commanding 5.8 (38) to 1.9 (15) victory.
St Kilda’s Alice Burke (daughter of Saints legend, former Bulldogs AFLW coach and Australian Football Hall of Famer Nathan) suffered a right knee injury in the third quarter, with the 23-year-old helped from the field by medicos.
AAP
In Adelaide, the Crows logged a hard-fought victory against West Coast, 9.6 (60) to 6.7 (43), in a clash of previously winless clubs.
Adelaide set up the win with six goals to two in the second term, creating a 27-point half-time buffer.
And with stalwart Ebony Marinoff gathering 26 disposals, laying 15 tackles and kicking a goal, the Crows held off a plucky Eagles outfit in the second half.
Marinoff, Madison Newman (23 touches, one goal) and Grace Egan (two goals) were standouts for the Crows.
West Coast suffered a third straight loss despite the impact of Ella Roberts, who collected an equal game-high 26 possessions, Charlotte Thomas (22) and Isabella Lewis (19).
AAP
Bronwyn Davey wouldn’t have played football on the national stage if not for her brother, former Melbourne star Aaron Davey.
Aaron was in his final year at Melbourne in 2013 when he urged his sister, who was playing locally in South Australia, to nominate to play in the landmark women’s match at the MCG that year.
Her appearance for the Demons against the Western Bulldogs launched a career at the top level, playing, coaching and in leadership roles at Port Adelaide Magpies and the Adelaide Crows.
Now, the Kokartha woman is the honouree of the AFLW’s Sir Doug Nicholls rounds, held this weekend and next.
