North Melbourne is surging in the direction of its first AFLW minor premiership after thumping Essendon by 51 factors.
The Kangaroos held the Bombers scoreless for nearly a half of their first AFLW assembly to arrange an 8.10 (58) to 1.1 (7) win at Windy Hill on Sunday.
Final 12 months’s runners-up to the Brisbane Lions, the undefeated Kangaroos stay atop the ladder by two factors with eight wins and one draw.
Kate Shierlaw (three objectives) fashioned a devastating attacking partnership with Tahlia Randall (two), whereas ball magnets Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell dominated with 23 disposals every.
Essendon, who sit in eighth place by share, should win its closing two matches if it needs to safe a finals spot.
Alongside Maddy Prespakis (28 disposals), Maddi Homosexual starred within the under-siege Bombers defence and led the match with 30 touches and 10 intercept possessions.
Shierlaw struck first for the Kangaroos with the opening two objectives earlier than Vikki Wall fired for a 21-point lead towards a scoreless Bombers at quarter-time.
Such was the guests’ dominance within the first time period that the Bombers failed to realize a single inside-50 entry.
It was Randall’s flip to shine up entrance within the second time period and he or she kicked two objectives to assist construct a lead of 41 factors, earlier than a wayward set-shot from Brooke Walker gave the Bombers their first rating as half-time loomed.
Essendon captain Bonnie Toogood had one of the best probability at slotting a serious however despatched her after-the-siren shot extensive, lacking the sticks utterly.
The hosts had been in a position to restrict the Kangaroos to only two behinds within the third quarter however couldn’t transfer the ball into their forward-50
Toogood then kicked really within the fourth time period to lastly convey the Bombers and their devoted some reward in entrance of objective earlier than Garner and Shierlaw replied for the Kangaroos.
Crows beat Pies after water pipe bursts
The Adelaide Crows overcome a burst water pipe at Victoria Park to beat Collingwood by 43 factors and bolster their hopes for a top-two end.
A leaking pipe beneath the centre sq. threatened to delay the match, earlier than the Crows dominated from begin to end to submit an 8.8 (56) to 2.1 (13) win.
The three-time premiership facet sits third on the ladder after seven wins and two losses, 4 factors behind Hawthorn after efficiently dodging the sandpit overlaying the burst pipe.
Taylah Levy and Caitlin Gould led in assault for the Crows with three objectives every, alongside Ebony Marinoff (36 disposals) and Anne Hatchard (28).
Their solely concern shall be a doable foot harm to Keeley Kustermann, sustained within the third quarter after a deal with by Mikala Cann.
An injury-ravaged Collingwood (1-8) are final on the ladder and shall be battling to keep away from the wood spoon within the season’s closing two rounds.
Sarah Rowe (25 disposals) and Ruby Schleicher (20) had been the primary stars for Collingwood in captain Bri Davey’s absence.
Davey suffered a season-ending bone stress response in her left tibia simply days after celebrating her 50-match milestone final spherical.
Brittany Bonnici and Lauren Butler kicked the Magpies’ solely objectives.
Cats maintain finals hopes alive
Nina Morrison performed a serious function within the Cats’ win over the Lions. (AAP: Julian Smith)
Geelong stays within the AFLW finals race following a 10-point upset of the Brisbane Lions, ending the reigning premiers’ seven-match profitable streak within the course of.
Nina Morrison and Georgie Prespakis starred because the Cats kicked the opening three objectives in an early blitz earlier than holding agency for a 7.5 (47) to five.7 (37) win at Kardinia Park on Sunday.
It was the primary house victory of the season for Dan Lowther’s facet however got here at a value when Gabbi Featherston suffered a hamstring harm.
Geelong, who misplaced to the Lions in a preliminary closing final 12 months, sit six factors outdoors the highest eight with two rounds left to play and journey interstate to play West Coast in week 9.
Morrison (24 disposals) and Prespakis (20 disposals, 10 tackles and 10 clearances) shone towards the Lions.
Anna-Rose Kennedy (18 disposals) and Julia Crockett-Grills (20) had been additionally influential.
Aisling Moloney and Shelley Scott kicked two objectives every.
Star midfielder Ally Anderson (21 disposals) and Charlotte Mullins (18) had been Brisbane’s main ball-winners, whereas O’Dwyer completed with two objectives.
AAP
