Turbo is the world's hardest-tackling mum
Dockers veteran turns it on in shock win, Eagles father-son makes statement at combine, plus a trade wrap.
Greetings friends. For all of those reading who have school-aged children, congratulations for getting through another school holidays.
For the rest of you, congratulations for just getting through life. We’re all winners here.
Yes it’s mid-October but there is still plenty of footy news around. And if you’re in Perth the beach is starting to get excellent, so get down there when you can.
In today’s newsletter: The Dockers’ rollercoaster continues, Turbo’s huge fourth quarter, an Eagles defender having a sneaky good year, Charlie Banfield keeps building the CV and all the trades still to come.
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AFLW
Just when we thought the Dockers were done, they pull an upset five-point win against a top-three side to keep them (mathematically) in the finals race. Freo jumped Melbourne at home with four first-quarter goals then came from behind again late for their best win of the season. Finals will be tough. They’re only one win behind eighth-placed West Coast but their percentage is shocking thanks to some big early-season losses. Still, good signs that they aren’t cooked yet.
They had plenty of performers but a big chunk of the win can be put down to Kiara ‘Turbo’ Bowers in the last quarter. The midfield beast had 14 disposals in the fourth term, and finished the game with 17 tackles. She’s also still breastfeeding. Turbo is genuinely one of a kind.
Awesome to see Aine Tighe back out there after her third ACL reconstruction. Less awesome to see her finish on the bench with knee soreness. Fingers crossed.
Worth noting that another key forward, Georgie Brisbane, had several key contests late as well. Plenty to like about the club’s first-round pick from last year’s draft.
It was a less rosy weekend for West Coast. They suffered a tough 17-point loss on the road against Adelaide. The Crows were in control for most of the game bar a fourth-quarter surge from the Eagles. The Crows won the clearances 31-15 and the inside 50s 43-23. It’s actually impressive the scoreline wasn’t more of a blowout.
One player who impressed despite the loss was key defender Georgie Cleaver. The former dual-sport athlete has been growing by the game this year. She rarely loses a contest, she takes a great contested grab and she gets to good positions. Cleaver finished with 18 touches, 14 intercept possessions and six marks on a tough day for the backs.
DRAFT COMBINE
The WA state draft combine was held on Sunday with a few standouts. For those who don’t know - every AFL club nominates their top 50 prospects, those players with several nominations (it used to be 4+ but that may have changed) go through to the national combine. Those with less get tested at their respective State combine.
Charlie Banfield is making West Coast sweat. The Claremont colts gun was electric through the WAFL finals and has backed it up with a personal best in the 2km time trial. His time of 6min 08sec would have placed him fifth overall at last week’s national combine. Expectations of another club bidding on him in the draft are rising, forcing the Eagles to match if they want to recruit the son of two-time premiership player Drew.
Fremantle NGA prospect Toby Whan finished second, while still rehabbing the AC injury his picked up in the colts grand final.
Another Dockers NGA player, Ryda Luke, blitzed the 20m sprint in 2.85sec - the best result of any WA player tested at either combine. His time was the second-best recorded nationally. He’s no certainty to be picked up but he’s got plenty of potential.
Perth’s Sienna Timmermans dominated the AFLW 2km in 7min 24sec, ahead of Swan Districts’ Ava Stewart (8min 18sec) and East Perth’s Lucy Greenwood (8min 39sec).
AFL TRADES
To recap last week’s action: Brandon Starcevich is an Eagle. Judd McVee is a Docker. Oscar Allen is a Lion. Liam Ryan is a Saint. Liam Reidy is a Blue.
The Eagles are still busy. They have to get a trade done for Richmond defender Tylar Young. Deven Robertson looks set to be delisted by Brisbane, so can walk to the Eagles as a free agent rather than have to be traded.
Fremantle are the quietest they’ve been in a while in trade week. Will Brodie to Port for a likely fourth-rounder is the only other deal they’re publicly involved in.
The trade period wraps up this Wednesday.
That’s the lot for today. Thanks again for reading.
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Catch you next week.