Demons and Kangaroos Advance to AFLW Preliminary Finals
Melbourne secures a narrow 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 game's final five goals. Paxy Paxman kicked the decisive goal late in the match, overcoming a late miss from Geelong's Chloe Scheer.
2Midfield Battle Dynamics
The match featured an intense midfield duel between Melbourne's Liv Purcell and Geelong's Georgia Prespakis. Both players recorded 34 possessions each, significantly influencing the game's tempo. While Prespakis dominated the first half, Purcell's resurgence in the final term proved vital for Melbourne's ability to erase the significant third-quarter deficit they faced.
3North Melbourne's Dominant Win
North Melbourne comfortably defeated Carlton 49-13 at Ikon Park to book their preliminary final ticket. The two-time defending premiers withstood an early challenge from the Blues before pulling away decisively. Midfielders Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell led the charge with 31 and 33 possessions respectively, overwhelming the Carlton defensive structure.
4Injury Concerns for Kangaroos
Despite their comprehensive 36-point victory, North Melbourne suffered a significant setback with Alice O'Loughlin sustaining a knee injury. The two-time premiership player was visibly distressed after a tackle by Gab Pound in the final quarter. She required assistance from two trainers to leave the field, casting doubt on her availability.
5Weather and Match Conditions
The qualifying final at Princes Park faced a brief 10-minute delay due to lightning threats in the area. However, Melbourne's unpredictable spring weather quickly shifted, allowing the majority of the contest to be played under sunshine. These conditions favored the high-paced transition game that defined the second half of the match.
6Coaching Narrative Context
The clash between Melbourne and Geelong marked a notable reunion as Geelong coach Mick Stinear faced his former club. Stinear, who led Melbourne to the 2022 premiership, departed the team at the end of last season. This tactical familiarity added an extra layer of intensity to the closely contested qualifying final match.
7Path to the Finals
Melbourne now earns a week off as they prepare for the preliminary finals. Meanwhile, Geelong must regroup to face the winner of the elimination final between Sydney and the Western Bulldogs. Carlton is also set to host the winner of the Gold Coast versus Hawthorn match in their upcoming elimination final fixture.
8Tournament Significance
These results solidify the positions of Melbourne and North Melbourne as top contenders in the current AFLW season. By securing direct paths to the preliminary finals, both teams avoid the immediate pressure of elimination. The upcoming matches will determine the final four teams competing for the championship title in the weeks ahead.
Original article: ABC Australia – Science — Demons and Kangaroos Advance to AFLW Preliminary Finals