Injuries bite as Demons, Power, Hawks win in AFLW
Anna Harrington |
Melbourne have steamed past an injury-ravaged Brisbane by 56 points to claim a perfect 3-0 start to the AFLW season.
Elsewhere, Port Adelaide (2-1) lost star forward Indy Tahau to a suspected serious knee injury, overshadowing a thrilling four-point win over GWS in Canberra.
Later, Hawthorn (2-1) claimed a 8.6 (54) to 3.8 (26) win over winless Collingwood.
Brisbane grabbed the first goal, but the Demons kicked the next 12 and handed the Lions their heaviest AFLW defeat, a 14.5 (89) to 4.9 (33) shellacking at Casey Fields.
Tom Wilson’s Melbourne loom as a team who can genuinely challenge two-time reigning premiers North Melbourne.
Liv Purcell (31 disposals) and Tyla Hanks (24 disposals, eight tackles and a goal) were magnificent, while Kate Hore (24) was prolific and Tahlia Gillard (11 intercepts) led an impressive defence.
Ryleigh Wotherspoon (three goals, eight tackles), Georgia Gall (two), Mia Austin (two) and Megan Fitzsimon (two) hit the scoreboard.
Lions Marlow Graham (concussion) and Neesa Dooley (collarbone) were both hurt in the first quarter.
Then Belle Dawes (right shoulder) and Ruby Svarc (concussion) were worse for wear after colliding with each other.
Dawes played through pain and finished with 24 disposals and a goal, while Orla O’Dwyer (21) was strong.
Sophie Conway (left knee) and Eleanor Hartill (foot) also played through issues.
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 tight all day and Port led by nine at three-quarter time, before Brodee Mowbray goaled twice to put GWS in front.
The Giants led at the death, when Port’s Matilda Scholz took a terrific intercept mark to create a late attack that ended with Lauren Young marking and kicking the winner.
“It’s so funny, we actually practised this at training, this scenario,” Young told Fox Footy.
“I was thinking, ‘OK, I got it at training, I should be able to get it now’. And then I slotted it, so I’m very happy about that.”
Scholz (30 hitouts, 24 disposals) was dominant, while Piper Window kicked three goals.
Alyce Parker (21 disposals) was busy for GWS (1-2).
Later at Victoria Park, Hawthorn’s Aine McDonagh kicked three goals, and Lucy Wales (23 disposals, 22 hitouts), Eliza West (23 possessions) and Jasmine Fleming were also influential.
Collingwood star Bri Davey was in tears after a right ankle injury scare in the first quarter but played out the game.
Ash Centra pushed through a corked left thigh, while Airlie Runnalls (22 disposals, nine tackles) was strong, along with Brittany Bonnici (22).
AAP