Suns set in the West

A best on ground performance by the AFLW's recruit of the year

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ROUND 6: HAWKS 4.11 (35) def SUNS 3.4 (22)

📝 Main recap:

Despite our inaccurate kicking, we managed to beat the bottom of the ladder Suns by 13 points on Wednesday evening at Frankston Park.

Gold Coast came out firing and set a fast pace for the game, led by their star midfielder Charlie Rowbottom, but our midfield won out in the end to secure the win as Eliza West had another excellent performance.

⭐ Best on ground – West is recruit of the year

Eliza West played an incredible game against the Suns, recording 23 disposals, nine tackles, one goal and 326 metres gained.

On Thursday's edition of The W Show, Daniel Harford proclaimed West as recruit of the year.

“I think she's a gun and absolutely creates great opportunities for this excellent midfield at the Hawks to get out into space.”

After playing in Melbourne's premiership midfield in 2022 (S6) then not being picked to play in their Qualifying Final against North Melbourne in 2023, West has been absolutely flourishing in her first season playing for us.

She's currently ranked third best in the league for average contested possessions (15.8) and third for average tackles (8.8).

🧐 Things we like to see – Áine McDonagh

Irish player Áine McDonagh also continues to cement her place as one of the league's best forwards, setting up Mikayla Williamson's first goal of the day and kicking her own not long afterwards in the second quarter.

McDonagh currently boasts the highest average in the league for goal assists (1.2) and is ranked fifth for shots at goal (3.2). She is also currently sitting in equal-second place for the AFLW Leading Goalkicker Award with 10 goals, behind Taylor Smith from Brisbane with 13.

📈 Room for improvement – Inaccurate kicking in front of goal

4.11 is not a pretty final scoreline and we were definitely guilty of wasting opportunities in front of goal throughout the game.

We absolutely dominated the Suns in the second quarter, leading inside 50s 14-0 as we kept the ball in our forward half, but we only had 0.4 to show for it until Gilroy kicked our only major for the quarter halfway through.

At the half-time break, we were 10 scoring shots to one but only led by 19 points. The Suns put the pressure on us again in the third as we went scoreless, further demonstrating that we need to make chances in front of goal count.

🫡 Unsung hero – Tilly Lucas-Rodd

Former captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd has flourished in their move to the backline this season, providing a great lift to our defensive efforts. Even though this may have been the quietest game of their season so far stats wise, they always make a mark on the game.

🪜 Live ladder update

We're only part way through Round 6 and given the mid-week games, the ladder is a little bit out of whack. Nevertheless, we're currently sitting in second place having only lost one of our first five games and looking to cement a top four spot with another next win.

🆙⏭️ What's up next

We head over to Perth on a tight turnaround for our second game in Week 6 to play Fremantle on Sunday afternoon at Fremantle Oval (October 6, 5:05pm AEDT/2:05pm AWST).

This is our third consecutive season playing Fremantle at Fremantle Oval, following a 5-point loss in our first season and a 13-point loss in our second. We currently sit ahead of them on the ladder by 38.3% but they too are on 20 points, their only loss so far this season also to Adelaide.

We have made three changes to our side for the trip to Perth: forward Sophie Locke will play her first game of the year following a minor ACL injury and Hayley McLaughlin and Kristy Stratton have also been recalled. Coming out of the side are Bridie Hipwell (managed), Mattea Breed (injured) and Tahlia Fellows (omitted).

The game against Fremantle will also mark an exciting milestone for Kaitlyn Ashmore who will play her 75th game. She is the second Hawk to celebrate 75 games, following captain Emily Bates.

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