AFLW 2019: Round 4 In Review

As the saying goes, "if you make god bleed, people will cease to believe" which is what happened to the Kangaroos on Sunday with the Demons providing a roadmap to beating the ladder-leaders (they'd have done it themselves but for some highly dubious officiating late) in future weeks. 

It was the Adelaide Crows who impressed most though, announcing themselves as the team to beat in 2019 after a dominant display against the Dockers in Darwin.

The Lions got their long-awaited AFLW Grand Final revenge, Geelong put one foot in the finals door and Collingwood are still, well, Collingwood. 

Geelong 2.7 (19) def. Carlton 1.8 (14)

Who, What, Why: 

Despite what Blues fans are saying in regards to their accuracy costing them the game, both sides were guilty of inaccuracy in front of goals. It could well have been a 25pt win for Geelong had they kicked straighter. Madi Keryk was an absolute star against her old side, closing down on Maddi Prespakis at times whilst still finding the footy herself. Madeline McMahon is going to be a gun; her composure and ability to win 1-1 contests in the backline for Geelong proved critical all game.

Carlton showed plenty of ticker, but without Prespakis dominating clearances and sending the ball inside forward 50 with penetration and speed, Geelong were able to handle the improved and increasingly-dangerous Blues forward line. Rochelle Cranston special mention, along with Keryk she was outstanding both in attack and with her defensive tackling pressure.  

Key Takeaway:  

Harris had a shocker in front of goal but that’s no real surprise, she has never been able to kick straight and the shot she missed right in front should have been from the boundary had the umpire been switched on. Geelong were deserved winners in the end and did so without their #1 AFLW Draft pick and best midfielder Nina Morrison – take out Prespakis from that Blues side and they get smashed. The Cats may struggle against the Lions this week though sans O’Connor and Boyd (both suspended).

Brisban Lions 7.7 (49) def. Western Bulldogs 2.5 (17)

Who, What, Why: 

I have to be honest, I expected the Bulldogs to win this well, but they went in way too tall and paid the price on the pressure front, with their plethora of bigs unable to assist the midfield in applying the full-team pressure necessary to gain the ascendancy.

Take nothing away from Brisbane though, they were up for this one and executed their pressure superbly. Young ruck/forward Jesse Wardlaw perfectly highlighted the difference between a traditional tall and a more mobile tall, carving the Bulldogs defenders up with her speed, skills and athletic endurance. Jordan Zanchetta stepped up for the Lions as well (finally).

Key Takeaway: 

32pts is a shellacking in AFLW whichever way you slice it, but had Mon Conti not missed that horrible pass/goal halfway through the third, it would have been less than 2 kicks. She did miss and shortly after Ellie Blackburn was rubbed out of the game and the flood gates opened. It was a super frustrating night for Katie Brennan, the Dogs had their chances but just couldn’t kick to their star forward with any accuracy at all. That’s pretty near the best Brisbane will play this season though, if they maintain that intensity and defensive hunger they will play finals.

Adelaide 9.11 (65) defeated Fremantle 3.5 (23)

Who, What, Why: 

Adelaide has clicked into the next gear we thought they had available, and I don’t see them being beaten again this season. The Bulldogs were blessed to sneak that first win against them but now they are kicking straighter, they are just capable of outscoring any team.

Erin Phillips dominated, supported by Anne Hatchard, Jess Foley and Ebony Marinoff – it’s the league’s best midfield and they flexed their muscles against a very quality opponent in Fremantle. Star midfielders Kara Donellan and Dana Hooker went missing in Round 4 and the Dockers were found wanting. Had Kiara Bowers not played an unbelievably good game, the margin could well have been 60+.

Key Takeaway: 

The Dockers are likely to have an easier time of things over the next fortnight, their forward speed is still a weapon that most teams can’t match, especially ones that cede clearance dominance to them. Fremantle could still play AFLW Finals if they beat the North Melbourne in the final round. Adelaide can sew up a AFLW Finals spot with a win on Sunday against the Kangaroos. Can and will as far as I’m concerned, going to be an absolute corker of a game.

GWS Giants 5.6 (36) defeated Collingwood 4.3 (27)

Who, What, Why: 

The Giants are a team bereft of all confidence which is impacting their decision making and skill execution. Fortunately for them, they played the Magpies on Sunday and the game was over in the first six minutes.

A stiff 3-4 goal breeze assisted the Giants in the first quarter, but it ultimately aided Collingwood - who would not have been as competitive had there been no wind at all - as the Giants forwards like Yvonne Bonner and the competition’s biggest ball hog Cora Staunton would have carved them up for four quarters.

Key Takeaway: 

Will be interesting to see how this win impacts the Giants mentality because if they bring what they showed on Sunday to the game against Melbourne this week, they will get flogged. In fact I am struggling to see another win for either the Giants or Magpies for the rest of the season.

North Melbourne 6.2 (38) defeated Melbourne 5.4 (34)

Who, What, Why: 

I am not normally one to bash umpires, it’s certainly a difficult job and you have to make split second calls, but that push in the back free on Emma King late in the fourth quarter simply was not there and highlights what many people can’t stand about officials, which is they inject themselves unnecessarily to impact the result. The free would have been dubious at best last season, this year you CAN place hands in the back but despite the rules saying 'no free,' it was paid and it effectively ended the Demons season.

North Melbourne were shown to be vulnerable in defence thanks to a speedy, skilful Melbourne small forward line and a very good game from tall target Tegan Cunningham. The midfield contest was pretty even which surprised me – Karen Paxman and Lilly Mithen had great games.

Key Takeaway: 

The Demons were the better side on the day and still lost, but it was a high-quality game of footy. I can’t see the Kangaroos beating Fremantle or Adelaide with what they brought on Sunday, quite a few midfielders have gone past Emma Kearney and this Sunday the Crows should the North Melbourne their first defeat if both trends continue.

How do the Stats Insider predictions work?
READ: What is the Edge?

Get all our sporting predictions - every game, every day - with a FREE TRIAL of Stats Insider Premium.

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!