Demons Rally and Kangaroos Cruise into AFLW Prelims
Melbourne secures a dramatic comeback victory while North Melbourne dominates Carlton in qualifying finals.
1Melbourne's Dramatic Comeback
Melbourne secured a narrow 56-52 victory over Geelong in their AFLW qualifying final at Princes Park. After trailing by 22 points at halftime, the Demons stormed home with the final five goals of the match. Paxy Paxman kicked the decisive goal, overcoming a late missed opportunity by Geelong forward Chloe Scheer.
2Midfield Battle Intensity
The contest featured a high-level midfield duel between Georgia Prespakis of Geelong and Melbourne's Liv Purcell. Both players recorded 34 possessions throughout the match, significantly influencing the game's tempo. Purcell’s efforts were instrumental in sparking the Demons' late-game surge, which ultimately overturned a substantial third-quarter deficit against the Cats.
3Kangaroos Dominate Carlton
North Melbourne cruised into the preliminary finals with a commanding 49-13 victory over Carlton at Ikon Park. Despite a competitive opening quarter from the Blues, the Kangaroos pulled away decisively. Midfielders Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell led the charge, recording 31 and 33 possessions respectively to dismantle the Carlton defense.
4Injury Concerns for Premiers
The victory for the two-time defending premiers was marred by a significant injury to Alice O'Loughlin. The player suffered a knee injury during the final quarter following a tackle by Gab Pound. She required assistance from two trainers to leave the field, casting doubt on her availability for upcoming matches.
5Weather Impacts Play
The match at Princes Park experienced a 10-minute delay due to the threat of lightning in the area. Despite the initial disruption, the changeable Melbourne spring weather eventually cleared. Most of the qualifying final was played under sunshine, allowing for a high-paced game that favored the Demons' late-stage tactical adjustments.
6Coaching Narrative Context
This qualifying final marked a notable encounter for Geelong coach Mick Stinear. It was his first time facing his former club since departing Melbourne at the end of the previous season. Stinear, who led Melbourne to the 2022 premiership, saw his current side fall just short in a tightly contested final.
7Path to the Finals
Melbourne now earns a week off as they advance directly to the preliminary finals. Meanwhile, Geelong must prepare for a semi-final clash against the winner of the Sydney versus Western Bulldogs elimination final. The structure of the AFLW finals series ensures that losers of qualifying finals remain in contention for now.
8Carlton's Next Steps
Following their 36-point defeat, Carlton faces a must-win scenario in the next phase of the finals. They are scheduled to host the winner of the elimination final between Gold Coast and Hawthorn. Despite Harriet Cordner’s strong defensive performance early on, the Blues must regroup to maintain their remaining championship aspirations.
Original article: ABC Australia – Sport — Demons Rally and Kangaroos Cruise into AFLW Prelims