The Brisbane Lions have reaffirmed their AFLW premiership credentials with a 38-point demolition of Greater Western Sydney.
Key points:
- The Brisbane Lions have won their fifth game out of six in AFLW, defeating GWS by 7.13 (55) to 2.5 (17)
- Adelaide became the first team to kick 13 goals in an AFLW game in their 70-point victory over Gold Coast
- Erin Phillips kicked two goals for the Crows to become the league’s leading goalkicker with 11
It was one-way traffic at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on Saturday as the Lions kept the Giants goalless until nine minutes into the third quarter to run out 7.13 (55) to 2.5 (17) winners.
The commanding margin should have been even greater as Brisbane sprayed multiple chances and GWS had the better of the second half.
But the game was all over at half-time as the Lions led by 41 points to back up their impressive upset of premiership favourites Fremantle last week.
Exciting Lions small forwards Dakota Davidson, Isabel Dawes, Courtney Hodder and Jessica Wuetschner caused havoc for GWS’ defence.
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Davidson’s two majors took her to 10 for the year.
The Lions, who were largely written off as flag contenders before the season, moved to a 5-1 record with their only loss coming against two-time premiers Adelaide.
Giants captain Alicia Eva put in a typically gutsy effort, while midfielder Britt Tully also found plenty of the ball.
GWS evened up some of the stats in the second half, and the Giants won the clearances 24-23.
But the weight of Brisbane attacks was too much, with the Lions having 48 inside 50s compared to only 19 forward entries for the Giants.
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Ponter stars as Crows break goals record
AAP: David Mariuz, file photo
)The Adelaide Crows have crushed Gold Coast by 70 points, becoming the first team in AFLW history to kick 13 goals in a game.
The Crows fell one point short of matching the Western Bulldogs’ record score of 86 points, defeating the Suns 13.7 (85) to 2.3 (15) at Norwood Oval.
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Danielle Ponter was the leading scorer with four goals, while Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall had two each, as the Crows spread it around with eight individual goalkickers.
Phillips’s two goals took her past Davidson to lead the goalkicking charts for 2021 with 11.
The home side put huge pressure on the Suns early — the visitors could not get on the board as Adelaide led by 13 points at quarter-time.
Gold Coast was more fluid in attack in the second quarter, with goals to Leah Kaslar and Kate Surman.
But the Crows kicked into high gear, booting five goals for the quarter to extend their lead to 30 points at the half.
The Suns struggled in the second half, managing just one behind for the final two quarters, as Adelaide stretched their lead with another six goals.
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The percentage-boosting victory puts Adelaide behind Brisbane on percentage, with Collingwood, the Dockers and Bulldogs yet to play.
The Magpies can go clear at the top with a win, while Fremantle and the Bulldogs can join the Crows, Lions and Pies on five wins with a victory.
There were injury problems for both sides. Adelaide’s Nikki Gore suffered a suspected fractured left ankle in the opening minute following an accidental collision with teammate Marijana Rajcic.
Midfielder Hannah Button sat out the last quarter with her left arm in a sling and her shoulder iced after injuring herself while trying to tackle Alison Drennan in the dying moments of the third term.
Gold Coast had their own injury worries when reigning best-and-fairest winner Jamie Stanton was stretchered off the arena five minutes into the contest after damaging her left ankle while tackling Anne Hatchard.
The final game of the day was Melbourne taking on St Kilda.
AAP/ABC
