Essendon survived a late fright to cling to a tense and heated three-point AFLW win over Sydney at Footscray’s Mission Whitten Oval.
The Bombers had been held scoreless within the fourth time period after main by 18 factors on the final change, however narrowly survived 4.3 (27) to three.6 (24) on Wednesday evening.
A melee involving most gamers at three-quarter-time sparked by Essendon celebrity Madison Prespakis’s bump on Sofia Hurley with 4 seconds left within the quarter, appeared to jolt the Swans into motion after the guests may handle just one purpose throughout the opening three stanzas.
After Sydney’s Ella Heads transformed a free kick for her maiden AFLW purpose early within the fourth, Lucy McEvoy’s slick spin and long-range snap contained in the final 4 minutes lower the Bombers’ buffer to lower than a straight kick, earlier than the full-time siren sounded with the ball entrenched contained in the Swans’ forward-50.
Onballers Brooke Walker and Stephanie Wales had 22 disposals apiece for Essendon, whereas Prespakis defied Tanya Kennedy’s four-quarter tag to complete with 19 and have the Bombers inside touching distance of the highest eight.
Prespakis was the central determine within the scuffle, during which she was set upon by Alexia Hamilton and Kennedy, earlier than others bought concerned.
“Actually pleased with the women,” Prespakis mentioned.
“We fought actually exhausting and Sydney got here at us ultimately.
“It (getting tagged) is basically exhausting and does take a psychological toll.
“Each single week I really feel like I’ve bought a thumb in my again in every single place I am going.
“Woody (coach Natalie Woods) simply says smile at them, take it as a praise and do what you may.”
Essendon’s Madison Prespakis’ (third left) late hit on Sydney’ Sofia Hurley sparked a melee on the finish of the third quarter. (AAP: James Ross )
Prolific Laura Gardiner (35 disposals), Hurley (27) and Kennedy (21) led the best way for the Swans, who left their courageous problem too late.
The win leaves Essendon outdoors the eight in ninth place with three wins from six video games.
Final week’s goalkicking hero Daria Bannister scored a behind within the opening 30 seconds, matched on the different finish later by Swans spearhead Bec Privitelli, the one two scores of a defence-orientated first quarter.
The Bombers lastly began getting reward for his or her effort and cleaner ball motion, breaking the drought with two targets in 90 seconds — Paige Scott goaling following a courageous mark in visitors, then organising Ellyse Gamble.
Scott once more arrange Gamble, whose goalsquare pack mark and second six-pointer stretched Essendon’s edge to 18 factors at halftime.
Sydney began the third time period by racking up seven of the primary eight inside-50s.
The guests lastly notched their first purpose by Privitelli and trimmed the deficit to 11 factors.
Chloe Adams bought one again for the Bombers and the margin was again out to a few targets with 1 / 4 to play, which proved simply sufficient.
Within the earlier sport, Hawthorn moved as much as second on the AFLW ladder, with a 13-point win over Gold Coast Suns in Frankston.
Jacqueline Depuy led the scoring with two targets for the Suns, however the Hawks led at each change to expire winners by 4.11 (35) to three.4 (22).
Hawthorn at the moment are half a sport again from ladder leaders North Melbourne.
AAP/ABC
