A week is a long time in football
The Eagles need to win to be in, and the Dockers' narrow finals window is still open.
Good morning fine people!
The final round of the AFLW season is coming up this weekend and, thanks to results last round, both West Coast and Fremantle are a live chance of playing finals. Keep reading to find out the formula for both sides.
We’re still pumping out AFL draft videos for WA Football, the latest was on South Fremantle’s Fred Rodriguez, which you can check out below. Check in again later today for a deep dive on West Perth’s Sam Swadling.
In today’s newsletter: Beating the Swans without Ella is hard, the elimination final at Sullivan Logistics Stadium, the Dockers’ big Crow ask and the biggest improver at Freo this season.
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AFLW EAGLES
Beating Sydney on the road was going to be a tough task. When Ella Roberts was a late withdrawal with hamstring tightness it got a hell of a lot tougher. The Swans, with injury issues of their own, led most of the day to run out 17-point winners.
So what does this mean for West Coast’s finals hopes? This Friday against Carlton at Sullivan Logistics Stadium, their last game of the regular season, becomes a virtual elimination final. If they win, they’re in - thanks to a strong percentage. If they lose, they need Essendon (sitting 15th) to beat Sydney (ninth) on Saturday.
Sometimes you forget how young the team still is. Roberts’ otherworldly play makes up for plenty, but on the weekend it was up to the likes of Bella Lewis (22), Jaide Britton (22) and Jessica Rentsch (19) to hold down the fort against a far more experienced unit.
AFLW DOCKERS
Far happier days over at Fremantle. They absolutely belted the Tigers by 44 points to make their percentage halfway respectable and keep their finals hopes alive.
Their finals formula? They have to beat Adelaide in Adelaide on Sunday. They also need one of West Coast or Sydney to lose. If that happens, they’re playing in the post-season. Things have fallen into place to give them half a chance, which was not expected a few weeks ago.
Aisling McCarthy was a star. The Irishwoman had a career-high 32 disposals, added a couple of goals and had six inside-50s and more than 500 metres gained. Gabby Newton wasn’t far behind with 28 disposals, eight marks and seven tackles. She’s taken the largest leap at Freo this year for mine.
That’s the lot for today. Thanks again for reading.
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Catch you next week.