Geelong 5.5 (35) def. Brisbane 1.2 (8)

Who, What, Why: 

Geelong were good, but the real story was how bad the Lions were. 

At home and amid talk of which venue to play the final they were so confident of hosting, Brisbane forgot to actually win the game they needed to win to guarantee hosting said Final. Richelle Cranston, Renee Garing and Olivia Purcell dominated their more highly rated midfield opponents from start to finish, but it was the defensive efforts of Geelong’s key defensive pillars in Meg McDonald and Maddi McMahon that proved the difference.

Brisbane won their share of possession they just couldn’t find an avenue into the forward 50.

Key Takeaway:

When a team or player shuts down Sabrina Frederick-Traub like McDonald did the Lions can’t seem to recognise it, and switch the gameplan. Brisbane’s pressure was down in general, but it was their skills and decision-making that cost them 2-3 crucial goals. The win all but secures Geelong a first up AFLW Finals berth and could even see them finish top if they can beat GWS in the final round.

Carlton 4.10 (34) def. Collingwood 4.5 (29)

Who, What, Why:

Carlton were bad, Collingwood were worse. 

Not much more form to take out of the game. If the Blues forwards could hit the back side of a barn with a set shot, the final margin would have been 30+ but they can’t, which kept the Magpies in it. Collingwood attempted a tag on Maddi Prespakis but it was nowhere near tight enough, particularly in the second half, and they had no answer for Bri Davey through the middle of the ground. 

Collingwood have no one who kicks with penetration and accuracy. They have no one who accumulates massive numbers. And, they have no one in their forward half who stays there to contest and dominate defenders.

Key Takeaway:

Despite the pretty incredible efforts of Ash Brazill to keep the Magpies in the hunt, Collingwood missed their best - and only real - chance to record a win in AFLW 2019, whilst Carlton (despite their best efforts) have kept their slim AFLW Finals hopes alive. 

They will need to beat Brisbane this week, though.

Melbourne 8.9 (57) def. GWS Giants 2.6 (18)

Who, What, Why:

Melbourne were excellent again. Had the umpires not been brutally harsh on them last week against North Melbourne, the Demons would be sitting pretty with the Adelaide Crows atop Conference A. 

As it is now they must win their last two games (including Adelaide in Round 7) and hope their percentage is good enough. They are certainly capable on their day. Paxman and O’Dea took a back seat on Sunday to the speedy quartet of Maddi Gay, Lilly Mithen, Alisha Newman and Kate Hore, and GWS, as all season, had no answers.

Key Takeaway:

GWS are a poor defensive team, poor clearance team and rely almost solely on two Irish imports, one of whom (not naming names but she rhymes with Schmora Schmaunton) is perhaps the biggest ball hog in the AFLW. If Staunton and Bonner would, even occasionally, show some composure with ball in hand, it might stop their whole team from getting caught up in their Gaelic style of hack-kick and hope. 

The Demons are the real deal though, can feature in September.

Adelaide 10.4 (64) def. North Melbourne 4.5 (29)

Who, What, Why:

We’ve been saying it for two months now - the Crows are the team to beat in AFLW 2019. 

Despite conceding the first two goals of the game - and being under real pressure early in the first quarter - Adelaide were able to knock over the previously unbeaten Kangaroos. Centre bounce dominance, forward half speed and a best-on-ground effort from Chelsea Randall in defence, were the key’s to victory for the Crows. 

North got them a few times with accurate kicking on the fat side, allowing them to transition from deep defence to the forward fifty, but aside from that it was all Adelaide.

Key Takeaway: Kearney had her best game of the season and the Crows still won by 35pts.

Unless the Dockers can upset North Melbourne in Round 7 we may have just watched a preview of the 2019 AFLW Grand Final.

Fremantle 8.4 (52) def. Western Bulldogs 5.4 (34)

Who, What, Why: 

Isabella Huntington and Brooke Lochland made successful returns to senior footy after long injury layoffs, and while both will make the Dogs significantly better second up, on Sunday at Fremantle Oval it was simply the Kiara Bowers show for the Dockers. 16 tackles, 22 disposals, five marks and 1 goal, 2 behinds. She almost single-handedly willed her team over the line with clinically effective kicks to leading forwards, who then hurt the Bulldogs on the scoreboard.

Key Takeaway:

Fremantle, at their best, can compete with any team, and are still well and truly in AFLW Finals contention. They will need Ebony Antonio to stand strong in defence for the rest of the year, though, because that is the area they look most vulnerable. The Western Bulldogs should see Round 6 and beyond as pre-season for AFLW 2020. 

They are not far off the mark, and Katie Brennan on a wing was sensational, hopefully that continues.

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