3 minute read
A look at round one of the AFLW season, as Fremantle continued their western derby dominance over West Coast.
THEY SAID IT: "Kiara was just Kiara. I'm lucky to have her in the side." Fremantle coach Trent Cooper on star midfielder Kiara Bowers, whose 24 disposals and 14 tackles earned her a fourth straight best-on-ground award in the western derby. She shared the award with three-goal hero Ebony Antonio.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Monique Conti is coming off her first pre-season that didn't involve WNBL commitments and the Richmond star looks to have taken her game to another level. Conti racked up 29 disposals, nine clearances and 17 contested possessions in a masterful, match-winning midfield showing against St Kilda. A special mention to North Melbourne's Ashleigh Riddell for her phenomenal 35-disposal effort.
STATS THAT MATTER: The last time Richmond played St Kilda back in 2020, they scored just three points in a humiliating loss. They turned the tables big-time on Friday night, with their score of 61 their highest-ever. That included a run of nine consecutive goals between the end of the first and end of the fourth quarters, which sealed their first round-one win in three attempts.
BEAT THAT: Fremantle veteran Ebony Antonio produced an early goal-of-the-year contender when she swooped on a loose ground ball and burned off her opponent before slotting it through the big sticks from the pocket using the outside of her right boot.
TALKING POINT: Another knee injury for young star Isabel Huntington, who already has overcome two knee reconstructions and a broken leg. Moments after the Western Bulldogs young gun clutched her right knee in agony, she a resigned look. Scan results will confirm what comes next. Collingwood star Brianna Davey will also be sweating on scans after injuring her knee.
INJURIES: Isabel Huntington (Bulldogs, knee), Poppy Kelly (Rich, leg/ankle), Kaityln Ashmore (NM, ankle), Meghan McDonald (Geel, leg), Kim Rennie (NM, head knock), Jenna Bruton (NM, ankle). Geelong: Chloe Scheer (Geel, head knock), Kate Lutkins (Bris, knee), Dakota Davison (Bris, ankle), Brianna Davey (Coll, knee).
TRIBUNAL WATCH: West Coast captain Emma Swanson should escape sanction for her over-the-top goal celebration, in which she caught Hayley Miller high with a shove while the Fremantle captain was on the turf.
WHAT'S NEXT: Richmond's progress will be put to the test when they take on flag favourites Melbourne on Friday night. Adelaide's clash with North Melbourne on Sunday is a heavyweight contest, while Fremantle and West Coast will head over east for an extended road trip until WA's border reopens on February 5.
