Add Category
Sabrina Frederick has ended a worrying goal drought to lead Collingwood to a 29-point AFLW win over the injury-hit Dockers at a sun-drenched Fremantle Oval.
Key points:
- The Magpies defeated the Dockers 4.8 (32) to 0.3 (3)
- The Bulldogs triumphed 4.11 (35) to 3.2 (20) over the Saints
- The Giants snatched a 4.10 (34) to 5.3 (33) victory against the Hawks
Frederick entered Sunday's match with 0.8 to her name for the season, but she broke the match open in the second quarter with two goals in the space of 40 seconds.
The 25-year-old key forward got Collingwood's first goal of the match by producing a fine snap.
And her second was a remarkable dribble effort from the pocket after she ran on to the loose ball.
Frederick's one-two punch gave the Magpies a valuable 16-point lead at half-time, and the visitors kept Fremantle at bay thereafter on the way to the 4.8 (32) to 0.3 (3) victory.
The Magpies' fourth win in a row improved their win-loss record to 7-1 and ensured they remained equal top of the ladder alongside the Lions and Demons.
The Dockers were preliminary finalists last season but they sit second last on the ladder this campaign and have been held goalless twice.
Their first goalless outing was in round two against Geelong when they were held to 0.1 (1).
Although the scoreboard did not make for pretty reading against the Magpies, the Dockers dominated the second half and at least gave themselves a chance.
Dockers midfielder Kiara Bowers was influential force with 28 disposals and 11 tackles, while Laura Pugh (24 possessions) created bounce from defence.
But every time Fremantle went forward, Collingwood's backline had the answers.
Stacey Livingstone was particularly impressive in defence, cutting off Fremantle's forays forward on numerous occasions.
Chloe Molloy (18 disposals), Jaimee Lambert (19 disposals, one goal) Ash Brazill (11 disposals, one goal) and Mikala Cann (20 disposals) also played well in an even team performance from Collingwood.
The Dockers entered the match with just 20 fit players from their main list, meaning they had to call up train-on player Madizen Wilkins to ensure they had a full bench.
Bulldogs return to winning ways
The Western Bulldogs snapped a three-match losing streak and moved within touching distance of a finals berth with a 15-point win over St Kilda.
Ellie Blackburn and Alice Edmonds starred as the Bulldogs overcame a slow start and inaccuracy in front of goal to post a 4.11 (35) to 3.2 (20) victory in Ballarat.
The Bulldogs are a win clear of ninth-placed Gold Coast with two rounds left to play in the home-and-away season.
The result ends St Kilda's finals hopes and there could be further pain in the fallout, with Nicola Xenos's sling tackle on Kirsty Lamb certain to be reviewed.
Xenos conceded a free kick in the third-quarter incident but was not reported on the spot.
Bulldogs captain Blackburn (24 disposals, six tackles) and in-form ruck Edmonds (38 hit-outs, nine tackles) were influential for the victors, with Deanna Berry (14 disposals) also playing a key role.
St Kilda got the first two goals through Caitlin Greiser and Georgia Patrikios in a fast-paced opening few minutes but added just one more for the match.
Alice Burke was left sore after being crunched by Edmonds in a second-quarter marking contest, having fearlessly gone back with the flight of the ball on the wing.
The collision gave her father and Bulldogs coach Nathan Burke a few nervous moments, but the tough Saints defender got back to her feet and played out the match.
Celine Moody put the Bulldogs in front for the first time soon after the main break, ending their run of eight behinds with her first goal.
The scoring was all one-way in the final term as a fortuitous Elisabeth Georgostathis goal and another major to Keely Coyne put the result beyond doubt.
Hannah Priest (13 disposals) and Patrikios (11) fought hard against the tide for the Saints, who made a positive start to the season but have now lost six straight matches.
The Bulldogs can sew up a finals spot with victory away to West Coast in round nine, while the Saints host Port Adelaide.
Giants edge Hawks
A crucial behind from Nicola Barr with just four seconds left in the match secured GWS a thrilling one-point triumph over Hawthorn at Sydney's Henson Park.
The margin had stayed within single figures throughout a gripping contest that seemed set for a deserved draw until Barr gathered a loose ball inside the Giants' forward 50 and snapped the decisive point in the 4.10 (34) to 5.3 (33) win.
The Hawks looked on the way to victory with a strong breeze at their back in the final term when Bridie Hipwell kicked truly to give them a one-goal lead with four minutes remaining.
But the Giants — who now hold a 3-5 win-loss record — responded a minute later when Georgia Garnett marked on the goal-line and quickly played on to level the scores.
Both teams defended desperately in the final minutes as the ball pinged back and forth until Barr's timely intervention.
Alyce Parker was inspirational for the Giants throughout with a match-high 30 disposals, with Alicia Eva (21) and Garnett (20) also integral to their ball movement in tricky conditions.
The loss snapped the Hawks' (3-5) three-match winning streak and all but ended their finals hopes in an impressive debut season.
Tilly Lucas-Rodd overcame a slow start to be pivotal in the second half as the Hawks skipper gathered 18 disposals, with young gun Jasmine Fleming also influential with 11 clean touches.
Both teams made a bright start on a sunny afternoon but it was the Giants who looked slicker, with some smart handball opening up the match.
Tarni Evans sparked the Giants early with a left-foot bomb from the 50-metre arc that sailed high with the breeze for her first AFLW major.
Akec Makur Chuot raised the bar in the second term after reading a clearing kick deep in the forward pocket, knocking the ball to ground then having the composure to slot the goal from a tight angle.
But while both teams kicked goals of the highest quality, it was the Giants' run-and-carry approach in blustery conditions that arguably gave them the opportunity to snatch the match.
The Hawks face a tough task hosting the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night, while GWS will travel to Mildura to face Richmond on Sunday.
AAP