Crows Soar to Victory in AFLW Thriller, Suns and Tigers Also Win

Adelaide has emerged victorious in a fiery AFLW clash with Brisbane, securing a 9-point win at Springfield Central Stadium on Sunday. The Crows held the Lions goalless in the first quarter, kicking two majors of their own to set the tone for the match.

The Lions, last year's grand finalists, were seeking to find form after suffering their third loss in four games with a five-point defeat to West Coast last Saturday. However, an outburst in the third quarter by Lions defender Lily-Rose Williamson, who wrapped her arms around the neck of Teah Charlton inside the forward 50, severely damaged their chances.

“I think it was a pretty ugly moment,” said a witness.

The midfielder scored from the ensuing free kick and the Lions didn't recover until late in the final term as the visitors secured a 5.9 (39) to 4.6 (30) victory. Brisbane midfielders Orla O'Dwyer and Shanae Davison slotted settling goals to reduce the visitors' lead to two points at half-time.

The Crows restored their advantage when forward Hannah Munyard poked the ball through the middle before Charlton scored. Crows forward India Rasheed grabbed a major, but teenager Asher Fearn-Wannan and midfielder Catherine Svarc kicked consolation goals.

Other AFLW Results

In other matches, Gold Coast secured a third-straight AFLW win with a 41-point victory over Essendon at Windy Hill. The Suns, one of the more youthful and inexperienced sides in the league, notched a 7.9 (51) to 1.4 (10) win to move into fifth spot.

“We were really proud of the way the girls played,” a Gold Coast player said.

Gold Coast's defence was resolute in the blustery conditions, and the Bombers did not score a point until late in the second quarter. Defender Niamh McLaughlin (33 disposals, 506 metres gained) and Charlie Rowbottom (36 disposals, one goal) were busy for Gold Coast (4-2), while Anne Hatchard and Havana Harris scored two majors each.

Richmond survived an almighty scare to claim a stirring 9.14 (68) to 10.1 (61) win over a pinpoint-accurate GWS at Manuka Oval. The Tigers (4-2) led by 16 points at quarter-time and continued to run riot in the second term, booting five goals in 12 minutes to balloon their advantage to 55-18 at the main break.

Forward Gabby Seymour (16 hit outs) posted a career-best three majors for Richmond, while Olivia Wolmarans also had three goals. Finals hopes are fading for the Giants (1-5), but midfielders Alyce Parker (27 disposals) and Rebecca Beeson (23 disposals, two goals) were prolific.

West Coast notched a second win of the season with an 11-point victory over St Kilda at Moorabbin Park. The Eagles kicked on after a tight first half, with key forward Amy Franklin kicking two goals. Ella Roberts was industrious in midfield for West Coast, completing 25 disposals.