North early flag favourites, Pearce nabs first AFLW win

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North early flag favourites, Pearce nabs first AFLW win

A SNAPSHOT OF ROUND ONE OF THE AFLW SEASON

THEY SAID IT: “I’m not sure that I’m meant to go in the song and get a Gatorade shower.” – New West Coast coach Daisy Pearce was all smiles after being drenched in sports drinks following her side’s dramatic one-point win over Richmond.

THE MOMENT 1: Richmond kicked four consecutive goals to ******* the lead against West Coast with just three minutes remaining. But there was one more twist to come, with Eagles speedster Abbygail Bushby powering the ball forward to find Kellie Gibson at the top of the goal square. Gibson kicked the goal with 43 seconds remaining to secure a famous one-point victory.

THE MOMENT 2: Essendon captain Bonnie Toogood suffered a knock to her knee and teammate Amber Clarke was knocked out when the pair had a sickening collision at Windy Hill on Saturday. Both players were done for the day and the ******** lost to Fremantle by 43 points.

STATS THAT MATTER: GWS coach Cam Bernasconi wanted his charges to go full-throttle from the first bounce against the Western Bulldogs, and debutant Eilish O’Dowd took it to heart. Within the opening 15 seconds, the Irish recruit won the tap against ruck Alice Edmonds and bolted straight through the corridor to open the scoring from inside 30 with her first disposal and set a league record for the fastest goal scored.

TALKING POINT: Just how good can North Melbourne be? Last year’s grand finalists were simply irresistible against reigning premiers Brisbane, claiming a scintillating 44-point away win. That included an extraordinary third term where the Kangaroos kicked six goals while keeping the Lions scoreless. Darren Crocker’s charges are the clear early flag favourites.

PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Melbourne skipper Kate ***** stood tall to snag the Demons a thrilling comeback win over Geelong, kicking three goals and racking up 23 disposals and six clearances on Saturday night.

TRIBUNAL WATCH: Collingwood’s Tarni White could face a suspension after a high bump left Sydney defender Maddy Collier concussed. Kangaroo Alice O’Loughlin could come under scrutiny for a tackle on Brisbane’s Shannon Campbell where the Lion’s head slammed into the turf.

INJURIES: I Lewis (WC, leg), M Collier (Syd, concussion), M Atkinson (Coll, concussion), M Pauga (GWS, ribs), Daisy D’Arcy (GC, elbow), B Toogood (Ess, knee), A Clarke (Ess, concussion), K Skepper (Carl, ribs), S Davison (BL, wrist)

WHAT’S NEXT: The Bulldogs play Port Adelaide at the MCG ahead of their AFL team’s elimination final on Friday night. On Saturday, Melbourne host Brisbane in a blockbuster, West Coast welcome Essendon and Collingwood take on Hawthorn. On Sunday, Richmond host GWS, Gold Coast play Carlton in Mackay, North take on Geelong, St Kilda welcome Sydney, and Fremantle host Adelaide.

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