After a seriously captivating opening to the AFLW season, Channel 7 expert commentator and former Geelong captain Mel Hickey breaks down round one and looks at all the key take-outs. Check it out.
1. In with the newThere was history all over the country as four new clubs entered the AFLW and gave us a heartwarming look at an 18-team competition. The Sydney Swans, Port Adelaide, Hawthorn and Essendon were represented in the league for the first time and there was plenty to smile about, despite the Swans going down to St Kilda by 29 points and the Erin Phillips-led Port Adelaide coming up 12-points short against the Eagles. The undisputed highlight out of the newcomers, however, was the Essendon-Hawthorn battle at Marvel Stadium. The build-up was huge and, in front of a 12,000-plus a crowd, both teams put on a high-quality and, at times, emotional display, with the Bombers breaking the game open in the final quarter.
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Touching moment for Sarah Perkins.
Touching moment for Sarah Perkins.2. What an eye-popping debutThere were plenty of new faces but Essendon’s Paige Scott certainly caught the eye with an impressive 16-disposal game and some strong overhead grabs. The No.8 draft pick also slotted a goal in the first quarter, picked up four coaches’ votes, and got the Rising Star nod. Port Adelaide’s Abbey Dowrick shared Rising Star honours with Scott after gathering whopping 21 disposals, seven clearances, and taking seven marks against the Eagles. She was rewarded with seven coaches’ votes to boot. And not to be outdone, 29-year-old Richmond debutant Eilish Sheerin has to be mentioned after racking up 19 possessions (17 contested) and a massive 16 intercepts to also feature in the coaches’ votes during the Tigers’ heartbreaking loss to Geelong.
3. Veteran stars make their mark at new clubsThere’s no surprise we’re talking about Maddy Prespaskis here. The ex-Carlton superstar – and W B&F winner – was back to her very best for her new club Essendon and showed her passion, too, with a little jumper tug during an emotional celebration. Playing for Hawthorn, former Melbourne gun Tegan Cunningham was one of her new team’s best players with an exceptional effort in the Hawks’ defence. And former Brisbane Lion and Gold Coast Sun Jacqui Yorston showed her class for Port Adelaide with 15 touches and 10 tackles.
4. They’ve still got itIf you thought some of our veteran stars would be slowing down in Season 7, think again. West Coast’s Aisling McCarthy (18 touches and eight tackles) , North Mebourne’s Jasmine Garner (27 touches and a goal), and Collingwood’s Ruby Schleicher (20 touches) all scored a perfect 10 votes from the coaches in stunning R1 performances. And while Karen Paxman (24 touches and a match-sealing goal) didn’t get the 10 (she scored five), it was not surprising the 33-year-old was crucial at death in helping Melbourne crawl over the Crows in that fascinating, heavyweight battle.
5. The cream rises earlyAfter disappointment last season, Melbourne and Brisbane have made strong statements with eye-catching victories in round one. Brisbane, the Season 5 premiers who finished third in Season 6, could not have been more emphatic as they set about obliterating the Fremantle Dockers by 49 points. That win has put the rest of the competition on notice. Melbourne was equally impressive in taking out reigning premiers Adelaide. The Dees, who lost to the Crows in last season’s grand final, were a mix of poise and power to show everyone they will be there again when the whips are cracking.
AFL admits major blunder in match-winning moment.
AFL admits major blunder in match-winning moment.
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