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2024 NAB AFLW Season
Fremantle v Essendon
Finals Week 1 •
36 5.6
Full Time
26 4.2
Dockers Won By 10
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    FW1 PREVIEW: Can Crows stop all-conquering Roos, master v apprentice

    Gemma Bastiani previews a big first week of AFLW finals footy action

    Libby Birch and Danielle Ponter in action during the match between Kuwarna (Adelaide) and North Melbourne at Norwood Oval in week nine, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

    THIS is where the real stuff begins.

    Eight teams have won their right to play finals, and contest for the 2024 premiership, while the first batch of finals have thrown up some intriguing match ups.

    It's master v apprentice when Brisbane and Hawthorn meet on Sunday, and Adelaide will be out to become the first team to defeat North Melbourne this year.

    Who will progress through?

    25:06

    FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8

    Qualifying final one: North Melbourne v Adelaide at Ikon Park, 7.15pm AEDT

    Last time they met: North Melbourne 6.5 (41) defeated Adelaide 4.9 (33), week nine, 2024

    North Melbourne and Adelaide will meet for the second time in three matches, giving both sides a close look at how the opposition wants to play. In their week nine game, the Roos went to work on how the Crows opt to defend, while the latter were largely their own worst enemy when it came to taking advantage of their movement inside 50. Typically, Adelaide works to defend high up the ground, creating a defensive wall that is particularly difficult to break through, but it is a highly risky style of play against a side such as North Melbourne. The Roos have a proven ability to break jump that wall, and enjoy the massive amount of space in their front half, and it is the likes of Bella Eddey, Alice O'Loughlin, and Kate Shierlaw who can do plenty of damage in this space given their speed and quick decision making.

    01:46

    Meanwhile, Adelaide is actually a competition leader when it comes to getting the ball inside its attacking 50, but its ability to turn those entries into damaging scores has fallen away significantly this year. The club is averaging four goalkickers per game – compared to the Roos' 5.6 – and relies heavily on Caitlin Gould and Danielle Ponter to do the scoring. What looms as a huge upside, however, is if the Crows can neaten up those opportunities in front of goal, they will return to the force that they once were. The side relies heavily on generating score from stoppage, with nearly half of its score each week coming from there, but North Melbourne is the best in the AFLW at scoring from the reset. As a result, this will essentially be won or lost at the contest.

    Key matchup: Jasmine Ferguson v Caitlin Gould

    Gould is in rare form for the Crows, averaging 3.2 marks inside 50, 2.3 contested marks, and six score involvements per game, while also recently breaking the record for most marks inside 50 in a home and away season with 32. Because of this form, Adelaide has become fairly reliant on Gould to anchor the forward line, so it makes sense that staunch key back Jasmine Ferguson will likely spend some time going head-to-head with her. Ferguson is the Roos' tallest defender at 175cm, and although gives up 7cm to Gould, boasts the strength and intelligence to quell her, while also supported well by the club's team defence.

    Tip: It's hard to look past the Roos. North Melbourne by three points.

    Caitlin Gould marks in front of Sarah Wright during the match between Kuwarna (Adelaide) and North Melbourne at Norwood Oval in week nine, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

    SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9

    Fremantle v Essendon at Fremantle Oval, 4.00pm AWST

    Last time they met: Fremantle 10.4 (64) defeated Essendon 3.3 (21), week one, 2024

    Essendon has been handed two big blows in its last two games – season ending injuries to ruck Steph Wales and forward Bonnie Toogood. While covering Toogood is something the Bombers have learned to do this season, after the star forward missed five weeks of the home and away season with an MCL injury suffered in their week one loss to the Dockers, filling the Wales gap when coming up against the League's best ruck Mim Strom is a trickier prospect. Since that week one game, there have been significant changes to each team. The Dockers have also lost Aine Tighe to an ACL injury, and Tunisha Kikoak has established herself in the attacking arc, and coach Lisa Webb has shifted the magnets in the ensuing games. Essendon has also developed proven coverage for Toogood up forward, shifting Ellyse Gamble, but it is young ruck Matilda Dyke who must now take on Strom, an immediate advantage to the Dockers.

    A strong opening quarter will be vital for the Bombers. They need to hit Fremantle hard when it is typically at its weakest – first quarters – in order to create some scoreboard pressure to then gather momentum. The sides boast opposing strategies, as the Dockers generally surge forward from contest to contest, rarely generating end-to-end transition to score. Meanwhile Essendon will more regularly enact such transition, typically launched by star half-back Maddi Gay. As such, it is going to be a game of momentum shifts, as each team gets the game looking how they want. An aerial contest largely suits the Bombers, while the ground-level battle plays into the Dockers' hands.

    Maddi Gay in action during the match between Carlton and Essendon at Ikon Park in week 10, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

    Key matchup: Aisling McCarthy v Steph Cain

    While this midfield matchup is unlikely to be a tight tag, or even a run-with role, as a head-to-head it could have a significant impact on the final result. McCarthy is Fremantle's leading goalkicker with eight this season, and is essentially the player around whom the midfield operates. Her spread forward is so dangerous because of a neat ability to create space away from her opposition, so it is here that co-captain Cain must get to work. Her running capacity and physical strength has the potential to impede McCarthy's spread, while she is also dangerous in her own attacking transition, so can occupy McCarthy defensively for periods.

    Tip: The Bombers' outs will just be too much. Fremantle by 10 points.

    00:38

    SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10

    Hawthorn v Brisbane at Ikon Park, 1.05pm AEDT

    Last time they met: Brisbane 8.11 (59) defeated Hawthorn 5.2 (32), round five, 2023

    The first meeting of Hawthorn and Brisbane under coaches Daniel Webster and Craig Starcevich has been much anticipated, and in an enthralling turn of events, it comes in a qualifying final clash with plenty on the line. Unsurprisingly, the Hawks have adopted a hard-running, disciplined style of footy, somewhat akin to the Lions' brand, which makes for an enthralling battle on Sunday. Both sides want to change lanes, and use run and carry to move the ball forward, while they're unlikely to choose to kick long down the line to a contest, and can post devastating scores.

    Given Hawthorn's speed in attack, Brisbane has the potential to be exposed in defence, as its backline is strong and reliable, but not especially quick. Aine McDonagh, Greta Bodey, Aileen Gilroy, and even Jasmine Fleming have caught out slower defences on multiple occasions this year already. In addition, the Hawks are also the best team in the League at generating repeat forward 50 entries via a neat intercepting game, and can really pile pressure on the opposition this way, but Brisbane has proven itself marginally better at turning its own front half intercepts into scores. Meanwhile Richmond showed last week that by taking away the Hawks' uncontested marking game, their ball movement can be stunted.

    02:38

    Key matchup: Eliza West v Belle Dawes

    Two hard nuts who have the potential to unlock their respective midfields, West and Dawes attack the contest in varying, but equally important ways. Hawks coach Daniel Webster was instrumental in developing Dawes' game, which saw her breakout in 2023 and continue that form into this season, but now she may just become his biggest problem. Her movement through stoppage and ability to remain involved in passages of play as they move down the field can prove devastating. Meanwhile West is the tough in-and-under option who has the capacity to release players like Fleming or Emily Bates into the outside space. It's going to be a battle of power v contested strength, and could be the source of control for either side.

    Tip: In a heated battle, the Lions' big game experience will narrowly win out. Brisbane by seven points.

    Port Adelaide v Richmond at Alberton Oval, 2:35pm ACDT

    Last time they met: Richmond 6.5 (41) defeated Port Adelaide 4.6 (30), week five, 2024

    Richmond has returned to finals, after its straight sets exit of 2022 (S7), while Port Adelaide has not only reached its first finals series, but earned the home ground advantage in the process. Alberton will undoubtedly be rocking on Sunday afternoon, and will be treated to a tight, tense battle. Port Adelaide's style is about contested footy and surging forward quickly to gain territory. This quick movement from stoppage has the potential to unsettle the Tigers' strong, organised defensive line, by limiting the time they have to generate the spare in the hole behind the play they rely on. This will create the opportunity for the Power's forwards – particularly the unpredictable Gemma Houghton, and dangerous small Caitlin Wendland – to fight it out in one-on-ones.

    Gemma Houghton celebrates her match-winning goal for Yartapuulti against GWS in week 10, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

    The Tigers, meanwhile, work hard to keep the ball in their front half by intercepting the footy and generating repeat inside 50s. This gives them the chance to get the ball in the hands of Katie Brennan, Caitlin Greiser, and Emelia Yassir in front of goal, who work well off one another. It is Richmond's contested marking that has really shone this year, and allowed it to maintain chains of possession, but Port Adelaide will be determined to force the contest to ground level, where it competes at its best.

    Key matchup: Shineah Goody v Kate Dempsey

    A likely byplay on the wing for the match, the slight but damaging Goody and Dempsey contest will certainly have a big say in the match. Both have proven their importance to their respective sides in terms of ball movement and transition, but even more crucial has been their intercepting and defensive ability. Both sit in the top five for average intercepts for their team, with their positioning a kick behind the play regularly seeing them interrupt opposition rebounding attempts, while they are also neat in gathering loose balls. In each playing their own game, they have the potential to swing momentum their side's way.

    Tip: In undoubtedly the hardest game to tip, the Tigers will nab their first finals win. Richmond by five points.

    Dockers keep flag dream alive as brave Bombers fall short

    Fremantle has moved into the semi-finals while Essendon has been eliminated from the 2024 finals series

    Orlagh Lally celebrates a goal during the Elimination Final between Fremantle and Essendon at Fremantle Oval on November 9, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

    FREMANTLE has won through to a semi-final against Adelaide after coming from behind to beat a battered Essendon, with record-breaking ruck Mim Strom propelling her team to a 10-point win at Fremantle Oval on Saturday. 

    The Dockers trailed by four points at the final change but held the Bombers scoreless and kicked the final two goals of the game, winning 5.6 (36) to 4.2 (26) in a high-pressure armwrestle in front of a record crowd. 

    DOCKERS v BOMBERS Full match coverage and stats

    Veteran forward Gabby O'Sullivan sealed the win with a brilliant 50m goal on the run, with Orlagh Lally holding her nerve earlier to convert on the run as the Dockers took advantage of a strong fourth-quarter breeze. 

    Strom was supreme, breaking her own hitout record with 55 taps, 11 clearances and 26 disposals in a best-afield performance while also kicking a crucial goal on the eve of half-time. 

    O'Sullivan best typified the Dockers' relentless approach, however, winning forward-half contests all day when she was outnumbered and then sealing victory to send her team through to a high-stakes clash against the Crows. 

    ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

    Already missing co-captain Bonnie Toogood (ankle) and No.1 ruck Steph Wales (knee) to season-ending injuries, the Bombers were forced to play much of the game without star midfielder Maddy Prespakis, who suffered a hip injury early in the second term. 

    Fremantle was also under-strength, losing important defender Ash Brazill pre-game to go with the absence of key forward Aine Tighe, star midfielder Kiara Bowers and captain Ange Stannett.  

    04:21

    The Dockers believed they could play the best football of their season at the pointy end, but one weakness they couldn't remove was their low-scoring starts, going goalless in the first quarter for the seventh time this season. 

    The home team was strong over the ball and tackled fiercely, but it was Essendon that capitalised on its chances, kicking back-to-back goals through Amber Clarke and Emily Gough with its first two inside 50s. 

    00:52

    Emma O'Driscoll's brilliance at half-back prevented the margin blowing out beyond 10 points at the first change, with seven intercepts from her nine first-quarter possessions and several pieces of creative play with the ball. 

    The Dockers made a move in the second term, with ex-skipper Hayley Miller pouncing on a forward-half intercept to kick the Dockers' first goal as Prespakis was limping from the ground. 

    Freo had a sustained period with the ball in the front half as both teams ramped up their pressure, and they got rewarded just before half-time when Strom snapped her first goal of the season from a ruck contest, taking a three-point lead into the main break. 

    00:30

    The Dockers took an equal game-high 10-point lead early in the third when O'Sullivan used her smarts to soccer through to Airlie Runnalls close to goal, with the home team looking well placed to build from there. 

    Essendon responded with back-to-back goals, however, through Brooke Walker and Daria Bannister, who snapped classily under pressure to give her team a four-point lead at the last change. 

    00:42

    Kicking into a stiff breeze in the final term, the Bombers had a challenge ahead of them if they were to win through to a semi-final, and it proved too big a hurdle as the Dockers rode a record Fremantle Oval AFLW crowd home. 

    Season-firsts and season-highs for Strom 
    In the past month, Fremantle star Mim Strom has set new records for hitouts in a season (390) and hitouts in a match (48), breaking her own benchmarks on Saturday when she amassed 56 hitouts against inexperienced ruck pair Matilda Dyke and Sophie Alexander. It was the 22-year-old's first goal of the season that really got the Dockers excited, however, with Strom finally breaking through after booting 0.3 last week. She did it in style too, taking the ball out of a ruck contest close to goal and casually slotting a goal on the stroke of half-time to give the Dockers momentum at the main break.  

    01:31

    Bombers' star sidelined
    It was a double blow for the Bombers five minutes into the second quarter as Hayley Miller snapped the Dockers' opening goal and star midfielder Maddy Prespakis limped to the bench. Prespakis grabbed at her right hip after taking a simple mark in the midfield, limping off slowly and appearing in pain during assessments on the bench. The Bombers tried everything to get their gun playmaker back on the ground, with Prespakis even emerging from the rooms well into the third quarter to attempt some run-throughs. But the 24-year-old's movement was severely hampered and the call was made late in the term to put the clearance machine on ice.  

    00:34

    Up next 
    The Dockers have a chance to reach the third preliminary final in their AFLW history next week when they travel to take on Adelaide in a semi-final. It will be the second final played between the two teams, which met in a preliminary final in the first season of 2022, with the Crows winning by 14 points at Adelaide Oval. Essendon's season is over after the first week of finals for the second straight year.  

    FREMANTLE      0.2   2.3   3.4   5.6 (36) 
    ESSENDON       2.0   2.0   4.2   4.2 (26)     

    GOALS
    Fremantle: Lally, Miller, O'Sullivan, Runnalls, Strom 
    Essendon: Bannister, Clarke, Gough, Walker

    BEST 
    Fremantle: Strom, O'Driscoll, O'Sullivan, Newton, McCarthy, Runnalls 
    Essendon: Nanscawen, Morcom, Kearney, Cain, Gay 

    INJURIES 
    Fremantle: Nil 
    Essendon: Prespakis (hip), Clarke (head)

    LATE CHANGES
    Fremantle: Ash Brazill (ankle) replaced in selected side by Joanne Cregg
    Essendon: Nil 

    Crowd: 4,934 at Fremantle Oval 

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