Suns stamp AFLW top-four credentials as Crows rebound

Callum Godde |

Charlie Rowbottom led the way with 33 disposals and six clearances for the Suns.
Charlie Rowbottom led the way with 33 disposals and six clearances for the Suns.

Gold Coast have rubber-stamped their AFLW top-four credentials with a historic 22-point victory over Melbourne.

The Suns posted their sixth straight win on Saturday night, faring better in sweltering heat at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena to down the Demons 9.7 (61) to 5.9 (39).

Gold Coast had not beaten Melbourne in their four previous clashes since the Suns entered the women’s competition in 2020.

Havana Harris
Havana Harris kicked 2.2 from her 15 possessions for Gold Coast. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

“It’s been a long few years for us and we’ve been slowly building every year,” Suns co-captain Lucy Single told Fox Footy after the landmark triumph.

“So to kind of get that win under our belt has been so awesome and I think that’s really boosted our confidence.”

The Suns find themselves sitting pretty with three rounds left before finals, drawing level with Melbourne at 7-2.

Melbourne took a three-point lead into quarter-time, but Gold Coast kicked away in the second term and didn’t look back. 

Midfielder Charlie Rowbottom had a game-high 33 possessions and six clearances as Ava Usher, Mikayla Nurse and Havana Harris (two goals apiece) all fired up forward.

Despite the mercury hovering in the mid-20s, Usher said the Suns weren’t fazed by the conditions.

“We knew it was going to be a really tough arm-wrestle and in the end we just got over the line in really hot conditions,” the first-year Sun said.

“We’re pretty used to it.”

Adelaide had too much firepower for Richmond in the earlier Saturday-night game, winning 9.8 (62) to 4.6 (30) at Melbourne’s Ikon Park.

The 32-point victory put the Crows back in the finals hunt at 4-5, although they remain just outside the eight with three games of round nine to play.   

Prolific ball-winner Ebony Marinoff was at risk of leather poisoning, collecting 40 disposals, 13 tackles and a goal.

Ebony Marinoff had 40 disposals to lead the way for Adelaide.
Ebony Marinoff had 40 disposals and kicked a goal to lead the way for Adelaide. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

The 40-possession game was one shy of her career-best mark.

The Crows captain said it had been a tough week following a 14-point Showdown loss to Port Adelaide.

“I’d be lying (to say) we didn’t know what was on the line tonight,” Marinoff said.

“But really proud of the girls’ efforts just to really start well … because we hadn’t over the last fortnight.”

AAP