Swans and Hawks Advance in AFLW Elimination Finals
Sydney and Hawthorn secure crucial victories to progress in the AFL Women's finals series.
1Sydney Dominates Wet Conditions
The Sydney Swans secured a decisive 46-17 victory over the Western Bulldogs at Henson Park. Superstar Chloe Molloy excelled in a defensive role, recording 12 intercepts and 14 contested possessions. Sydney capitalized on strong winds early, establishing a 24-point lead in the first quarter that proved insurmountable for the visitors.
2Strategic Defensive Masterclass
Tanya Kennedy played a pivotal role for Sydney by neutralizing Bulldogs co-captain Isabelle Pritchard. Pritchard was restricted to 14 disposals and three clearances under intense pressure. This tactical shutdown, combined with Molloy’s defensive versatility, effectively stifled the Bulldogs' offensive rhythm throughout the challenging, rain-soaked match in front of 4,325 fans.
3Hawthorn Secures Historic Win
Hawthorn achieved their first-ever AFLW finals victory by defeating the Gold Coast Suns 57-39 at People First Stadium. After exiting the finals in straight sets during 2024 and 2025, the Hawks demonstrated significant growth. They now advance to face Carlton in the upcoming semi-final match scheduled for next Saturday night.
4Midfield Dominance and Pressure
The Hawks surged ahead during a commanding third quarter, outperforming the Suns in both clearance efficiency and perimeter play. Hawthorn recorded 33 more disposals than their opponents during that period. Jenna Richardson anchored the defensive line, securing a game-high 11 marks while successfully blanketing Suns forward Dekota Brown throughout the contest.
5Individual Performances Shine
Eliza West led Hawthorn with 29 disposals and one goal, supported by Laura Stone who contributed 21 disposals and two goals. For the Suns, Charlie Rowbottom fought hard to record 20 disposals, matching the output of teammates Niamh McLoughlin and Daisy D'Arcy despite the team's eventual loss in the high-pressure elimination final.
6Injury Concerns for Suns
The defeat for Gold Coast was compounded by a serious injury to young talent Ava Usher. Usher suffered a significant right knee injury following a heavy collision with teammate Maddy Brancatisano during the final stages of the match. This incident marred the closing moments of the Suns' pursuit of their maiden finals victory.
7Path to the Semi-Finals
Sydney will travel to face Geelong in their next semi-final encounter following their dominant performance against the Bulldogs. Meanwhile, Hawthorn prepares for a challenging matchup against Carlton at Princes Park. Both winning teams must maintain their current defensive intensity to progress further in the competitive AFL Women's finals series bracket.
8AFLW Finals Context
The elimination finals weekend highlighted the growing tactical sophistication within the AFLW league. Teams like Hawthorn are overcoming historical postseason struggles, while established stars like Chloe Molloy continue to dictate match outcomes through versatile positional play. These results set the stage for a highly anticipated semi-final round across the league.
Original article: ABC Australia – Just In — Swans and Hawks Advance in AFLW Elimination Finals