Hawthorn has kicked off its new AFLW period in type, surging to a formidable 38-point win over Carlton.
In the meantime North Melbourne obtained some small revenge from its 2023 grand last defeat to Brisbane with an enormous 44-point win over the Lions in Springfield.
Of their first sport below new coach Daniel Webster, the Hawks needed to take care of tough, windy circumstances in Frankston.
However led by recruit Eliza West, the Hawks dealt with the wind higher, whereas offering thrilling glimpses of what was to come back in a 9.12 (66) to 4.4 (28) win in entrance of 2794 followers.
The Hawks have been arduous across the contest and confirmed their willingness to run in waves and rapidly transfer the ball by hand.
Former Demon West racked up the ball at will for Hawthorn, amassing 28 disposals (24 contested possessions) and 10 tackles with help from Tilly Lucas-Rodd (17 touches) and Casey Sherriff (two targets).
Irish weapons Aileen Gilroy (16 disposals) and Aine McDonagh snared two targets apiece whereas Greta Bodey was a continuing risk however kicked 1.4.
Abbie McKay (31 disposals, 10 clearances), Mimi Hill (21 touches) and Keeley Sherrar (18 touches) labored arduous by the midfield for the Blues, whereas Mia Austin kicked two targets.
Carlton was dominant early with the primary two targets of the sport.
However the Blues spurned their wind benefit as quickfire targets to Irish Hawks McDonagh and Gilroy squared up the competition.
Hawthorn hit the entrance by tremendous targets to Bodey and Gilroy, then burst away to a 20-point lead at half-time.
The Hawks ought to have walked the ball into an open objective early within the third time period, however messed it up, conserving the door open for a Blues revival.
However newly appointed skipper Emily Bates shut the door when she twisted and turned away from two Carlton defenders earlier than snapping a beautiful objective with the skin of her left boot.
It prolonged Hawthorn’s benefit to 22 factors on the last change.
Kicking with the wind within the last time period, the Hawks put the foot down earlier than Austin brilliantly curled residence a comfort objective.
North reign supreme in grand last rematch
North Melbourne stormed to an announcement 44-point win over reigning premiers Brisbane to say bragging rights and early AFLW flag favouritism of their grand last rematch.
In brutal warmth, North Melbourne’s large weapons stepped as much as declare a drought-breaking 12.6 (78) to five.4 (34) win on Sunday.
Extremely, North had gone 0-5 of their earlier encounters with Brisbane, together with final 12 months’s 17-point grand last defeat — however a burst of six unanswered third-quarter targets ensured that would not occur once more.
Within the course of, the Kangaroos inflicted Brisbane’s heaviest ever defeat, eclipsing Melbourne’s 39-point win over the Lions in 2019.
North’s midfield stars Jasmine Garner (28 disposals, six clearances, 17 contested possessions, one objective) and Ash Riddell (31 disposals, one objective) have been usually good, whereas captain Emma Kearney was very good off half-back.
Energy ahead Tahlia Randall was in the whole lot, whereas Alice O’Loughlin and Bella Eddey kicked two targets apiece.
Brisbane star Ally Anderson (29 disposals, 15 clearances, 19 contested possessions) was a uncommon shining mild for Craig Starcevich’s fees, with some assist from winger Sophie Conway.
The Lions misplaced Shanae Davison after she landed awkwardly on her proper arm early within the sport.
North’s Irishwoman Vikki Wall (two targets) drew first blood, whereas O’Loughlin struck late because the Kangaroos stored Brisbane goalless within the opening quarter and took a 12-point lead into quarter-time.
Tempers flared when Wall tackled Shannon Campbell on the quarter-time siren after which flung her to floor.
Dakota Davidson and Taylor Smith gave the Lions a foothold within the sport, however North took a 12-point lead into half-time.
However Riddell teed up Garner early within the time period and the Lions appeared shell-shocked as North romped away from there.
The Kangaroos kicked the subsequent 5 targets whereas conserving Brisbane scoreless for the quarter to guide by 49 on the last change.
North’s rating within the third quarter alone (37 factors) surpassed their earlier highest whole match rating in opposition to the Lions (33 factors).
Anderson stopped the rot when she jagged the primary objective of the ultimate time period, however the harm had been performed.
AAP
