Carlton are climbing the ladder two points at a time after recording a draw for the second week in a row,this time against the Dockers on Saturday afternoon at Fremantle Oval. It was an impressive comeback from the Blues,who entered the main break three goals down and on the back foot after losing crucial players Phoebe McWilliams (with an ankle injury) and Amelia Velardo (with concussion).
The Dockers controlled the first half,particularly the territory,yet couldn’t maintain their dominance in the second as the Blues found a spark under pressure and kicked three final-quarter goals. The Dockers almost snatched a win as in-form forward Aine Tighe had a set shot on goal in the dying minutes of the game,but it was a wayward kick that levelled the score instead. The Blues’ defence held up well against an attacking Docker side to not concede another point,and thus the game. Given the second half counter-attack,Carlton senior coach Daniel Harford said he was “so proud of the team” despite the flattening back-to-back draws. Last week,the Blues finished up level withPort Adelaide at Ikon Park. “I thought we coughed one up last week and got the draw,whereas this week we were steaming home and we were the better team,” said Harford post-game. “So,I think the conversation is very different…this was a draw of real grit and character and spirit. And I don’t think in my five seasons I’ve seen that level of performance under so much pressure and duress from one of the Carlton groups. So,I’m enormously proud of what they showed today.”
Harford praised Fremantle’s “positive and really powerful” slingshot attack in the first half,saying it made it difficult for the Blues to get any flow in their game. “Every time we got the ball,Freo stopped us,” said Harford. “So,we had to find a way to get past that,so we put a number behind the ball in the second half,not as a defensive mechanism but to create some run and flow - and it worked.”
This game was another example of Carlton performing well under pressure,as the side often finds momentum when in trouble or in the later half of the season when finals are out of contention. Perhaps a ‘nothing to lose’ mentality will help them find their first win of the season. Fremantle,similarly,are without a win yet this season. Carlton have a huge challenge ahead of them with Melbourne next week at Ikon Park,while Fremantle take on the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium.
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Erin Phillips captains Port Adelaide to first AFLW win in her 50th game
In league champion Erin Phillips’ 50th game,she captained Port Adelaide to their first win in AFLW history with a huge 66-point thrashing against fellow expansion-side Sydney at Alberton Oval on Saturday.
Phillips - along with fellow former Crow Ange Foley - has been a pillar of leadership,composure and control when fighting to get games back on her side’s terms. But the real spark of the side has come from its emerging young guns. Against Sydney,18-year-old Hannah Ewings got to work at the coalface,finishing with nine clearances and 19 disposals,and did some real damage on the scoreboard with three majors. She was joined by fellow onballer 20-year-old Abbey Dowrick,who finished with a game-high 24 disposals,14 tackles and three clearances,and 21-year-old Jacqui Yorston,with 15 disposals,13 tackles and three clearances. Despite Sydney being held goalless - and winless - credit is due forNo.1 draft pick Montana Ham,who returned after a knee strain suffered in round one,and had 20 disposals (the most for her side),four marks and five tackles. Ally Morphett was another bright spot for Sydney,challenging Port Adelaide’s Olivia Levicki in the ruck and finishing with 20 hitouts. While Essendon have claimed the most wins of an expansion side this season with two (Hawthorn and West Coast),the Power have showcased their competitiveness and threat within the competition,especially for a first year team. Last weekend,they drew with inaugural side Carlton,who has six extra seasons on them in the competition. Port Adelaide next play the Gold Coast Suns at Bond University,while Sydney will be hunting their first win as they take on fellow-expansion side Hawthorn.
Frederick found a new gear in the ruck