Nothing better than beating the Cats

Our hot start to the AFLW season continues

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ROUND 5: CATS 9.7 (61) def by HAWKS 12.7 (79)

📝 Main recap:

It was a beautiful road trip to Geelong as we got our first win over the Cats and recorded our first win at Kardinia Park/GMHBA, beating them by 18 points in a game full of exciting first-time goal kickers.

After losing to Geelong by 40 points in the final round of the home and away season last year, we came away from our second meeting with them with yet another record-breaking high score of 79 points.

It was a tightly fought contest in the first half. We trailed by two points at half-time, but came out firing in the third quarter to kick four goals to Geelong’s one and were able to maintain control until the end of the match.

🧐 Things we like to see – First goals galore

We put on a massive display of our young talent at Kardinia Park as Laura Stone, Mackenzie Eardley and Jasmine Fleming all kicked their first ever AFLW goals.

Stone ended the day with a massive bag of three goals, Eardley had two final quarter goals and Fleming kicked a beautiful sealer right at the end.

Louise Stephenson also kicked her first goal for Hawthorn, having been traded from GWS ahead of our inaugural season in 2022 (S7).

First of many for Jas.

🧐 Things we like to see – Mutual Irish excellence

Irish players Áine McDonagh and Aileen Gilroy continue to lead our forward line and the third quarter saw them deliver back-to-back goal assists to each other.

Early in the third, McDonagh handballed to Gilroy who kicked a fantastic goal on the run. Only a few minutes later, Gilroy repaid the favour by launching a massive kick straight to McDonagh who took a great mark and then subsequently executed the set shot perfectly.

🇮🇪 x 2

🧐 Things we like to see – Captain drives premiership quarter

The game was relatively evenly matched until we pulled away in the third quarter, largely driven by Emily Bates’ massive 13 third-quarter disposals. She finished with a game-high 28 disposals.

Captain’s quarter.

⭐ Rising star – Laura Stone

Signed at the end of last year as part of the expansion signing period from the Eastern Rangers and playing every week so far in 2024, this was 18-year-old Laura Stone’s breakout game. Going into the game having yet to kick a goal in the AFLW, she left Geelong with three goals, seven score involvements and one goal assist.

Pick of the bunch.

🫡 Unsung hero – Mattea Breed

Mattea Breed has been consistently performing well across this season, creating space and pressure in moments where we need to lift.

Our highest pick in the 2023 draft at number 4, Breed continually bursts into the game with great speed and agility. She recorded 20 disposals (17 contested) and 10 tackles against the Cats.

📉 The ladder check-in

Top 4 baby!

🆙⏭️ What’s up next

We’re heading back home to Frankston Park for the first time since Round 1 to face Gold Coast on Wednesday afternoon (October 2, 5:15pm).

Gold Coast are currently sitting in last place on the ladder and are the only team left still yet to win a game. They have lost every game so far this season, except for Round 3 where they drew with GWS.

Midfielder Charlie Rowbottom has been the overwhelming highlight of Gold Coast’s season, especially against GWS where she recorded 42 disposals. She currently leads the league on average disposals (31.4), clearances (8.2) and contested possessions (19.2) across the first five games.

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Stay tuned to HI for more AFLW and post season coverage including the PCM.

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