Melbourne have put themselves in prime place to land a prized AFLW top-two spot after preventing out a 10-point win over North Melbourne at Casey Fields.
The Demons led virtually all night time and their disciplined defence withstood a barrage of strain from the in-form Kangaroos to prevail 4.3 (27) to 2.5 (17).
“We wanted to start well, that was really important for us, and other than that it was a good four-quarter effort,” Melbourne coach Mick Stinear stated.
Stream Seven’s protection of AFLW without cost on 7plus >>
“There were periods where North had us covered for clearances and contested possessions in that first half but the girls’ ability to apply themselves on defence (was crucial).
“Second half, I thought we were much better around the ball, then did well to defend that last eight-nine minutes when we were under the pump.
“But good teams find a way to win and play like that.”
Melbourne be a part of leaders Adelaide on 28 factors, 4 forward of North and third-placed Fremantle, who the Demons play subsequent week.
Karen Paxman was sometimes sensible, racking up 28 disposals and a objective and was well-supported by Lily Mithen (28 touches, six tackles) whereas Tayla Harris booted two targets and took a beautiful second-quarter hanger.
Kangaroos ball magnet Ashleigh Riddell had 30 touches whereas Jasmine Garner collected 19 and booted a objective, however Emma Kearney was restricted to simply 11 touches by Shelley Heath.
North had an early damage scare when Emma King (ankle) hobbled off the bottom.
King was largely restricted to taking part in deep ahead when she returned and will probably be assessed, however coach Darren Crocker stated with the ability to see out the sport was promising.
Melbourne’s Kate Hore landed the primary blow of the match, then Paxman added Melbourne’s second after Tahlia Randall’s pricey 50-metre penalty.
Garner’s sensible second-quarter snap put North on the board earlier than Melbourne settled by way of Harris’ targets both aspect of halftime.
Neither workforce would objective once more till Kaitlyn Ashmore set the sport alight halfway by means of the ultimate quarter when she ran onto Riddell’s looking lengthy kick, burned off Daisy Pearce and slotted a tough objective.
However between their inefficiency and Melbourne’s stern defence, North have been unable to capitalise on their 14 final-quarter inside-50s to the Demons’ solitary entry.
Crocker lamented the late inefficiency after North had earlier struggled to realize territory within the windy circumstances.
“I said to the players just there, we can all be disappointed, we came out here to get the four points, no doubt,” he stated.
“Third versus fourth, big stage on a Saturday night, we wanted to really put our best foot forward and get the result we were after and we fell short.
“But be disappointed, but not disheartened.
“Because there was enough to take away from the game, against a really quality opposition, who are well-coached, to suggest that we’re right up there amongst the better teams in the competition.”
Crows stick on high of the AFLW ladder
Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke has heaped reward on his two midfield weapons after Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff produced heroic efforts to elevate their aspect to a nine-point AFLW win over Fremantle.
Hatchard tallied 31 disposals and Marinoff racked up 30 touches within the 3.7 (25) to 2.4 (16) win on Saturday, with Fremantle restricted to simply 4 inside 50s within the second half.
The win saved Adelaide on the high of the ladder with a 7-1 file, whereas Fremantle slipped to 6-2.
The Crows booted a wasteful 0.5 and two out-on-the-full within the third time period, that means they turned for house down by two factors and kicking in opposition to the breeze.
However Hatchard produced a scintillating burst early within the last quarter, tallying 9 possessions inside the area of some minutes to arrange two match-winning targets.
“Both girls had really strong games,” Clarke stated of Hatchard and Marinoff.
“Both are having outstanding seasons. They lead the way in terms of that work rate. They’re phenomenal workers on the track, and that leads to their ability to execute on game day.
“What we spoke about at three-quarter time was just to be really clear that we’d actually just played a really strong quarter, and not to be rattled by the scoreboard.”
Geelong finish Richmond’s faint finals hopes
Geelong have capitalised on a dominant first half to beat Richmond by 23 factors and snare their second win of the AFLW season, ending the Tigers’ faint finals hopes within the course of.
The Cats arrange the 5.3 (33) to 1.4 (10) win at Punt Highway Oval with a rampant second quarter, the place they booted 4 unanswered targets, to leapfrog the Tigers into tenth on the ladder.
“We didn’t bring the heat early. Geelong clearly did.They were more hungry, more lively, more energetic and it obviously cost us the game,” Richmond coach Ryan Ferguson stated.
“The first quarter I thought they jumped us and we hung in there but the signs were there.
“I was hoping we might be able to do something about it at quarter time but it continued on into halftime before we were able to adjust anything from a mental perspective.”
Amy McDonald (26 disposals, 10 clearances) and Rebecca Webster (20 touches and a objective) set the tone in midfield for the Cats.
Phoebe McWilliams booted two targets and offering a robust presence up ahead, whereas Maddy McMahon was excellent all day.
Richmond star Monique Conti overcame a sluggish begin to gather 23 touches and was nicely supported by Sarah Hosking (14 touches, 5 tackles) and Meagan Kiely (13 tackles).
Geelong’s Olivia Barber needed to come off after hitting her head on the turf after a mark and will probably be assessed.
“It didn’t look very good but from all reports, speaking to her after the game, she looks pretty good and she’s fine,” Cats coach Daniel Lowther stated.
