AFLW 2019 Round 1 In Review
Last updated: Feb 5, 2019, 3:21AM | Published: Feb 4, 2019, 11:53PM
Two new teams, a duo of big upsets, four nail-biters and one good old fashioned shellacking - what a ripping Round 1 of AFLW 2019!
Geelong FC 3.6 (24) def Collingwood FC 3.5 (23)
Who, What, Why:
Despite missing a quartet of star off-season signings in Phoebe McWilliams, Erin Hoare, Rocky Cranston and Mel Hickey, the Cats defeated the Magpies in the season opener at Kardinia Park.
It was just one point in the end but the Cats were all over Collingwood for large parts of the game, thanks in large part to the #1 AFLW Draft pick, gun young midfielder, Nina Morrison, who collected 24 disposals and 8 tackles in her AFLW debut. Take a bow!
Renee Garing, Liv Purcell, Meagan McDonald, and Mady Keryk were all outstanding for the Cats and whilst Mady McMahon, Rebecca Webster and Sophie Van de Houvel weren’t as influential, they clearly have the skills and poise needed at this level. With those youngsters improving and the bigger names returning, the Cats will not be the easy beats many (yours truly excluded!) thought they would be this season.
The Pies just don’t have the right pieces for the puzzle. Hard as they tried, Sharni Layton and Ash Brazill can not win games of AFLW by themselves, and when a lot of the eggs are in that particular basket, it is going to be a very long season.
Erica Fowler worked hard in the ruck, and Brazill and Jamie Lambert was solid but honestly after that there is a very steep cliff. Way too many passengers.
Key Takeaway:
The Cats were brave and deserved to win, but it was pretty clear we were watching 4th and 5th in Conference A play off on Friday night. Geelong might surprise a few sides when they get troops back, but I’ll be shocked if Collingwood win a game all season to be honest.
Adelaide Crows 1.11 (17) def by Western Bulldogs 2.6 (18)
Who, What, Why:
Without Emma Kearney, Jenna Bruton and Brooke Lochland the Dogs were still very competitive but there is no getting around the fact that Adelaide should have won this game by 30pts.
The Crows could have had this game wrapped up by half time but kicking 1.11 (plus two out of bounds on the full!) kept the Bulldogs in the game and they were able to sneak home for the all-important first-up win.
Adelaide dominated out of the middle with new ruck Jess Foley giving her midfield first look for majority of the game. Ebony Marinoff started back where she left off in 2018, notching up 25 disposals and 10 tackles.
Erin Phillips was near the footy but never dominated, which tells me the Crows can get even better, and again, had they kicked straight they would have beaten the reigning Premiers by five goals.
The Dogs played to their strengths and continued their short kicking game. Ellie Blackburn was very solid as were Kristy Lamb, Hannah Scott and Lauren Spark, who the Crows seemingly decided to kick the ball straight to all game, for a new AFLW single game record of 11 marks.
Key Takeaway:
The Crows are going to be a force in 2019, and will destroy some of the lesser sides, while the Bulldogs will be competitive against most teams but have come back to the field considerably since their dominant 2018 Premiership season. Their game against the Kangaroos in Round 3 could decide plenty in terms of Conference A placings.
North Melbourne 7.10 (52) def Carlton FC 2.4 (16)
Who, What and Why:
Emma King, Emma Kearney, Jenna Bruton, Jamie Stanton, Ash Riddell and Allison Drennan – that’s your best midfield in the AFLW right now and I don’t see them getting beaten anytime soon.
Carlton have a midfield full of tacklers and even they couldn’t contain the Kangaroos. Throw in Jess Duffin down back and Jaz Garner up front, it’s a team that looks on the fast track to Prelim Final weekend.
For the Blues it was Madi Prespakis who shone on-ball, but when your 18 year old, #3 AFLW Draft pick is literally carrying your midfield in game one of the season you know you have issues.
Carlton have weapons up forward and are serviceable enough in the ruck, but desperately need one or two experienced, ball-winning midfielders: pronto. I can’t see Brianne Davey spending too much time up forward next game, she needs to be driving it forward off half-back not languishing up there without the footy.
Key Takeaway: The Kangaroos were simply clinical, and could easily have destroyed the Blues by 10+ goals had they kicked straight. Class on every line, and plenty of room for improvement still with the likes of Drennan, Kate Ashmore and Tahlia Randall kept reasonably quiet. Carlton will be challenging Collingwood for the wooden spoon. Again.
Melbourne FC 8.7 (55) def by Fremantle Dockers 9.5 (59)
Who, What and Why:
There was a three goal breeze at Casey Fields on Sunday, and teams going with it took full advantage with huge momentum swings coming each quarter.
The Dockers had it in the fourth and came home to run over the top of the Demons, but both sides showed enough to suggest they can be very competitive in season 2019.
Fremantle were greatly assisted by the extreme heat. They have trained in the heat all summer, and their game style of run, run and run more proved conducive to conditions once fatigue set in.
Dana Hooker was brilliant as always, Ebony Antonio was excellent in a new role up forward but it was debutants Paris Laurie (ruck) and Kiara Bowers who proved the difference for the Dockers. Both were outstanding and can elevate the Dockers to Premiership contenders in 2019.
Melbourne didn’t do much wrong. Elise O’Dea and Karen Paxman were their dominant selves as usual, but lacked that third midfield force to really get on top of their opponents. Despite their best efforts in the off-season, Melbourne missed Daisy Pearce.
Liked seeing Katie Hore play more minutes on ball, they will need her to spend more time in the middle. Bad news for the Demons with Shae Sloane (knee) going down in her debut game.
Key Takeaway:
The Dockers will be extremely difficult to beat at home this season, which puts them well and truly in contention for finals. With Bowers joining Donnellan, Hooker, Cain and Miller in that midfield the Dockers can run with any team in the centre, and Antonio’s move up forward looks like a great play. If Fremantle’s defence can hold up and improve they are the real deal.
Brisbane Lions 4.5 (29) def GWS Giants 4.3 (27)
Who, What and Why:
Bank it: these two sides will play finals this season. Both teams find themselves on the softer side of the conference system and with Melbourne losing at home to the Dockers, I just don’t see how the Lions and the Giants don’t meet again in a Preliminary.
The Giants looked the more dominant side all game but they just couldn’t convert that into a victory. Lions All-Australian defender Kate Lutkins was brilliant, the Giants just couldn’t find a way past her.
Alex Anderson (22 disposals, 8 tackles) shone for the Lions, ably supported by Emily Bates and Nat Exon.
The Giants have found a star in Alyce Parker (18 disposals, 3 tackles) who compliments Emma Swanson, Jess Dal Pos, Alicia Eva and Courtney Gum in the midfield well.
Up forward for the Lions, Jess Wuestchner proved the difference, snagging three goals from three attempts to steal the game for Brisbane.
Key Takeaway: The Giants didn’t do much wrong, but had a few shots not carry the distance or go out on the full, while Brisbane took just about every chance they had. Lutkins, Anderson and Wuestchner were dominant in their areas for Brisbane, and the Giants just lacked any key forwards or defenders who could take the team to the next level required.
ROUND 1 POWER RANKINGS
Based off historical data from the first two AFLW seasons, and now heading into Season 2019, we've custom built our own AFLW Power Rankings that we'll update on social media each week.
Remember, this is not a typical Australian Rules "ladder," and is subject to varying degrees of change, week on week, to give an indication of the form of each team, over time.
