# Swans and Hawks Advance in AFLW Elimination Finals Sydney and Hawthorn secure crucial victories to progress in the AFLW post-season tournament. - **Source:** [ABC Australia – Science](https://www.abc.net.au/news/science) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/84444e3b-28ba-4966-bfce-2d043b8d50a1 ## Sydney Dominates Bulldogs The Sydney Swans secured a decisive 46-17 victory over the Western Bulldogs at a wet Henson Park. Superstar Chloe Molloy excelled in a defensive role, recording 12 intercepts and 14 contested possessions. This win ends the Bulldogs' season, while Sydney now prepares to face Geelong in an upcoming away semi-final match. ## Molloy's Tactical Impact Chloe Molloy's surprise move to the backline proved instrumental in neutralizing the Bulldogs' offensive threats. By limiting the opposition to just 17 points, she provided the stability needed during the rainy conditions. Her leadership and defensive prowess were highlighted by her ability to control the game's tempo throughout the entire match. ## Kennedy's Defensive Masterclass Tanya Kennedy played a pivotal role for Sydney by effectively shutting down Bulldogs co-captain Isabelle Pritchard. Pritchard was restricted to only 14 disposals and three clearances, largely due to Kennedy's relentless pressure, which included 17 tackles. This defensive effort ensured the Bulldogs could not establish any meaningful momentum during the contest. ## Hawthorn Secures Historic Win Hawthorn achieved their first-ever AFLW finals victory by defeating Gold Coast 57-39 at People First Stadium. After previous early exits in 2024 and 2025, the Hawks displayed a commanding performance, particularly in the third quarter. They are now scheduled to face Carlton in the first semi-final match at Princes Park next Saturday. ## Hawks Midfield Dominance Eliza West and Laura Stone led the Hawthorn charge with 29 and 21 disposals respectively. The team's midfield superiority was evident as they recorded 33 more disposals than the Suns in the third quarter alone. This surge in pressure allowed the Hawks to pull ahead and maintain a lead until the final siren. ## Gold Coast's Difficult Exit Despite efforts from the Davies sisters and Charlie Rowbottom, Gold Coast fell short in their pursuit of a maiden finals win. The defeat was compounded by a serious-looking right knee injury to young player Ava Usher. She sustained the injury during a heavy collision with teammate Maddy Brancatisano late in the game. ## Weather Impacts Play Torrential rain significantly influenced the Sydney versus Western Bulldogs match, turning the elimination final into a difficult slog. The Swans utilized the strong breeze early to build a 24-point lead, which proved insurmountable for the Bulldogs. Conditions remained challenging throughout the second half, testing the players' ball-handling skills and tactical discipline. ## Path to the Semi-Finals Both Sydney and Hawthorn have successfully navigated the elimination round to reach the semi-finals. Sydney will travel to face Geelong, while Hawthorn prepares for a showdown against Carlton. These matchups represent a critical stage in the AFLW season, as the remaining teams compete for a spot in the upcoming grand final. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-08/aflw-elimination-finals-swans-bulldogs-suns-hawks/107361122 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._