Greater Western Sydney has kickstarted its season with a commanding 47-point derby triumph over Sydney in the first AFLW match to be played at the SCG.
Key points:
- GWS claimed their first scalp of the season in the AFLW’s first ever Sydney derby
- The Swans are yet to record their first AFLW win after three games
- Danielle Ponter kicked two goals as Adelaide ran over the top of North Melbourne
Nicola Barr was the spark for the Giants as she booted two first-half goals in an electric first game of the season that helped set up a 9.11 (65) to 2.6 (18) victory on Saturday.
The inaugural number one draft pick, Barr again put her name in the record books when she snapped the opening major of the match to become the first goal kicker in an AFLW Sydney derby.
The Swans (0-3) made a bright start but could only manage two behinds before the Giants (1-2) worked into the game and the floodgates soon opened.
The experienced Giants midfield proved too slick on the outside and finished on top 246-170 in disposals, as Alyce Parker (22 possessions) and captain Alicia Eva (19) led the way.
Meghan Gaffney showed good signs and used the ball well in her first game for the Giants, while fellow debutant Zarlie Goldsworthy added a highlight in the third term with a clever goal and enthusiastic celebration with family and friends near the fence.
Veteran Cora Staunton slotted two majors and made sure there was plenty of spice in the first clash between the cross-town rivals in a running battle with Swans defender Alana Woodward.
The Swans moved the ball forward often enough to only trail 35-25 in inside 50s, but failed to make the most of their opportunities near goal.
Rebecca Privitelli was one of the main culprits and finished with 0.3 but the 27-year-old was one of the Swans’ better attacking options against her old team.
Ally Morphett was another former Giant among the Swans’ best players, the young ruck making her presence felt around the stoppages while Lisa Steane had a quieter first outing after switching clubs.
Alexia Hamilton was thrown forward and kicked the Swans’ only major of the first half following a strong pack mark in the goal square, while Brooke Lochland added another just after the main break.
GWS head to Giants Stadium for the first time in season seven to host West Coast on Saturday, while the Swans will be on the road to face Port Adelaide later that day.
Ponter lights it up as Crows clip Roos
Danielle Ponter lit up Unley Oval in Indigenous Round, while Ebony Marinoff put on a midfield masterclass as Adelaide overcame some early wobbles to grind out a 14-point win over North Melbourne.
Best-afield Marinoff (29 disposals, 13 tackles, seven inside-50s, six clearances) worked tirelessly both ways, while Darwin-born Ponter — the niece of Michael Long and cousin of Cyril Rioli — had the crowd on their feet with two goals from the top shelf.
The Crows controlled proceedings from quarter-time onwards after being jumped by the Kangaroos, who booted their only two majors — through Alice O’Loughlin and Vikki Wall — during a period of first-quarter ascendancy.
The Kangaroos’ tackling pressure was immense and their gun midfielder Jasmine Garner began exerting her influence.
They moved ahead by 12 points early in the second term before a moment of misfortune sparked the stagnant Crows.
Centre half-back Sarah Wright accidentally toe-poked the ball out of bounds before conceding a 50-metre penalty for not giving the ball directly to Hannah Munyard, who duly strolled in to kick Adelaide’s first.
The reigning premiers, finally, were away.
The Crows finished the half strongly and trimmed North’s advantage to one point when Danielle Ponter threaded a classy checkside goal with 52 seconds remaining.
The Kangaroos were without winger Amy Smith after half-time after she was concussed in the second term in a collision with Marinoff and were unable to get back on top.
Behind a notable midfield lift, the Crows had the better of a goalless third-quarter arm-wrestle to draw level at the last change before dominating the fourth.
Captain Chelsea Randall, who had her hands full with Garner in an engrossing four-quarter duel, won a crucial 50-50 ground ball against the Roos superstar, which set the table for Ponter to shine.
Ponter gathered the pill, spun around Jasmine Ferguson and Wright, and finished brilliantly to put Adelaide in total control before ruck Caitlin Gould iced it with a late major.
AAP
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
