Essendon will be without captain Bonnie Toogood for huge clashes with Richmond and Geelong after the star forward received a hefty two-match ban for a dangerous tackle.
In the fourth quarter of Essendon’s thrilling five-point win over West Coast on Sunday, Toogood chased down Zoe Wakfer from behind and brought her to ground, with the Eagle’s face slamming into the turf.
At the time Toogood was awarded a free kick for holding the ball, though she missed her set shot.
But on Monday, Toogood, one of the most powerful key forwards in the AFLW, was cited for rough conduct, with her tackle graded high contact, high-impact and careless conduct.
Unless Essendon successfully challenge the ban at the tribunal, Toogood will miss Friday night’s Dreamtime match against Richmond at TIO Stadium, and the following Sunday’s game against Geelong at Windy Hill.
The Bombers sit 2-0 with Toogood averaging two goals and five marks per game. But a suspension will wipe out a significant chunk of the Bomber’s home-and-away season.
Port Adelaide’s Sachi Syme can accept a $250 fine for striking North Melbourne’s Alice O’Loughlin.
AAP and Scott Spits
yesterday
Season over for star Demon after ACL injury
By Hannah Kennelly
Olivia Purcell will miss the rest of the AFLW season after rupturing her ACL during Melbourne’s 74-point victory over St Kilda last weekend.
The premiership player and two-time All-Australian twisted her left knee during a tackle with Saints midfielder Georgia Patrikios during the second term at Casey Fields on Saturday.
The 24-year-old had to be assisted off field and scans later revealed she had ruptured her ACL.
“This is obviously incredibly disappointing for Liv,” Melbourne AFlW general manager Clare Pettyfor said.
“She put a mountain of work into her footy over the pre-season, and we all got a glimpse of the impact she was set to have in the opening rounds.
“Liv has had her fair share of injury concerns in recent years, which makes this news even tougher to take. She is as resilient as they come though, and we know she will tackle this next challenge with the utmost professionalism.
“We’ll wrap our arms around Liv as she prepares to undergo surgery and starts to work through her rehab.”
It’s the latest in an unfortunate string of injuries for Purcell who tore her right ACL in 2021 and suffered a serious facial injury in 2024.
yesterday
What you might have missed: The biggest talking points from round two
By Hannah Kennelly
It was a jam-packed weekend for the second round of AFLW season. We’ve rounded up some of the biggest talking points you might have missed.
Molloy magic: Swans star equals record
In late 2023, Swans coach Scott Gowans declared that star forward Chloe Molloy was “the best female footballer I’ve seen”.
On Saturday Molloy showed why she’s one of the league’s top players, notching seven goals against Gold Coast in round two, equalling the record for the most goals kicked in an AFLW game.
Molloy’s efforts put her alongside her now-forward line coach Brooke Lochland in the record books. Molloy played a starring role in her long-awaited return to AFLW last week, firing four goals on return from a knee reconstruction.
In Saturday’s post-match press conference, Gowans said Molloy was a superstar. “She’s just building into her game,” he said. “What she’s done over her rehab is been able to get really strong so she’s at a new level of fitness.”
The co-captain’s seven goals on Saturday propelled Sydney to an 82-point win over Gold Coast.
Hawks coach takes aim at holding the ball
The Hawks triumphed by eight points over the Blues on Saturday evening, but much of the match commentary was devoted to examining a new AFLW interpretation of the holding the ball rule. Of the 42 free kicks paid in the match, half were for holding the ball.
Aine McDonagh and her Hawks teammates celebrate a crucial goal.Credit: Getty Images
Last month the AFLW announced the stricter umpire interpretations around holding the ball in an effort to create more free-flowing football.
Hawks coach Daniel Webster said he understood umpires wanted to get the ball moving however he said it “had gone a little bit too far one way”.
“I kind of understand what the AFL are trying to do with it, and understand that umpiring is very difficult,” he said in a post-match interview.
“I don’t like it when the ball-carrier is not getting rewarded, when the tackler is now getting rewarded. I really don’t like that.”
Moloney’s no-look goal
Geelong suffered a 38-point loss against Adelaide on Sunday, but at least Cats fans got to see a goal of the year contender from Irishwoman Aishling Moloney.
Last season’s AFLW leading goalkicker received a handball from Kate Surman and dodged a tackle by Sarah Goodwin, before whacking the ball over her right boot and sending the ball of her head.
“I don’t even think she looked at the goals,” Fox Footy commentators laughed.
The Cats dominated field position for most of the day, but Adelaide came from the clouds to break their AFLW duck with a savage seven-goal fourth-quarter.
Six goals, 30 touches: Garner stars again
North Melbourne captain Jasmine Garner has produced one of the best individual AFLW performances of all-time in the reigning premiers’ 72-point demolition of Port Adelaide.
Garner kicked a career-best six goals from 30 disposals as the Kangaroos unveiled their premiership flag at Arden Street on Sunday before posting a dominant 13.9 (87) to 2.3 (15) victory.
The 31-year-old’s stunning first half included four goals from 16 touches, eight contested possessions and eight score involvements.
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Winners and losers: Round two results
Seven-goal term gets Adelaide crowing
By Steve Barrett
Adelaide came from the clouds to break their AFLW duck with a savage seven-goal fourth-quarter to steamroll Geelong by 38 points at Unley.
Ebony Marinoff was dynamic and prolific, while Chelsea Randall was heavily involved throughout the Crows’ barnstorming rearguard.
Adelaide looked in danger of crashing to an 0-2 start to the season when they trailed by 13 points early in the third quarter before flipping a switch in dramatic fashion.
Randall trimmed Adelaide’s deficit to two points before having a huge say in Adelaide’s assault to the finish line.
Adelaide’s Eloise Jones broke the game open with two smart goals.Credit: Getty Images
Eloise Jones goaled twice – the first crumbing at Randall’s feet to give the Crows their first lead at the eight-minute mark of the fourth, then the second after receiving a handball from Randall.
Randall then converted a free kick, before marking on the lead and coolly slotting her third.
Danielle Ponter added her second, then Caitlin Gould iced it with a goal after the full-time siren.
Few saw the violent response coming after the hosts were under the pump early.
Aish Moloney picked off an errant Chelsea Biddell kick with the first goal, a minute in, before adding another before quarter-time - an early goal-of-the-year contender.
Harangued in the south-eastern pocket, the Irish forward’s response to Adelaide’s defensive pressure was to unfurl a party trick – snapping successfully over her head with the goals to her back.
With Nina Morrison’s line-breaking run, Rebecca Webster’s smart hands in traffic, and engine-room leaders Georgie Prespakis and Amy McDonald strong at the contest, Geelong looked primed and ready to beat the Crows for the first time in their AFLW history.
The Cats dominated field position for most of the day and contest from quarter-time onwards, but were left to rue errant goal-kicking as they went goalless from the fourth minute of the second term and gave Adelaide a sniff, which they capitalised on spectacularly.
Bombers clinch win with seconds left on clock
By Anna Harrington
Essendon have snatched a five-point victory from the jaws of defeat against West Coast, with Sophie Alexander kicking the winning goal in the final 15 seconds.
The Bombers appeared destined to rue their inaccuracy when the Eagles claimed a one-point lead late in the piece.
Sophie Alexander steered the Bombers to a stirring win.Credit: Getty Images
But with 50 seconds left, the home side surged forward and Georgia Gee picked out lifelong Essendon fan Alexander, who kicked truly to deliver a 4.7 (31) to 4.2 (26) victory.
“I don’t think the adrenaline will leave my body for a while now,” Alexander told Fox Footy.
“It’s about time I turned up and did something. You can have a rubbish game and come in in the end and still get your moment in footy. So, [I’m] very happy.
“We needed that (win) and it’s only gonna make us stronger.”
The Bombers have now won their first two games, but this victory did come at a cost, with Van De Huevel suffering a knee injury in the second term.
Essendon midfielders Georgia Nanscawen (24 disposals), Amy Gaylor (22) and Maddy Prespakis (22) starred while skipper Bonnie Toogood (2.3) had her moments.
Eagles gun Ella Roberts (21 disposals) and veteran Emma Swanson (20) were excellent, while Kayla Dalgleish kicked two goals.
Toogood drew first blood inside the opening minute, before Abbygail Bushby levelled the scores following a 50-metre penalty just before quarter-time.
Dalgleish put West Coast in front midway through the second term, and they led by five at halftime.
Toogood missed two consecutive golden chances but then nailed her most difficult shot of the quarter to deliver a four-point lead.
Gee nudged Essendon out to a 10-point lead early in the final term, before Dalgleish responded with a running goal.
Essendon spurned big chances and the visitors made them pay, with Kellie Gibson strolling into an open goal to deliver the lead.
But Gee and Alexander’s late combination saved the day.
The Bombers now face Richmond in Darwin next Friday, while West Coast (1-1) play St Kilda at RSEA Park on Saturday. AAP
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Bulldogs stun the Tigers with ‘pupset’ victory
The Western Bulldogs have stormed to a 21-point upset win over Richmond to claim their first victory of the AFLW season.
In a see-sawing contest at Ikon Park, the Bulldogs claimed five of the final six goals of the game to prevail 6.6 (42) to 3.3 (21) and strike a blow to the Tigers’ finals hopes.
Heidi Woodley kicked the sealer for the Dogs.Credit: AFL Photos
Isabelle Pritchard (19 disposals, 14 contested possessions, one goal) was magnificent, with support from Jessica Fitzgerald (18 disposals).
Isabella Grant (17 disposals, 11 intercept possessions) kept Richmond skipper Katie Brennan goalless, while the Tigers had no answers for ruck Alice Edmonds (33 hitouts).
Elaine Grigg (six score involvements and a goal) sparked the Bulldogs early – but could come under some scrutiny for a dangerous tackle on Monique Conti.
The Bulldogs celebrate their upset win.Credit: AFL Photos
Conti (21 disposals, six clearances, 12 tackles, 12 contested possessions) and Ellie McKenzie (17 disposals) were Richmond’s best.
Veteran Ellie Blackburn, sidelined last year with a nasty foot injury, celebrated the Bulldogs’ impressive response to their first-up loss to Melbourne.
“Personally, it’s been a long time between wins for me,” Blackburn told Fox Footy.
“But for the group itself, we tried really hard this week to get back to the way we wanted to be able to play, off the back of last week, which was relatively disappointing for us.
“So to come out today and play a really nice brand of footy, kick some goals late in the game, and see some girls kick their first goal and celebrate – awesome win for us.
“... I feel like I’m a new kid. I have a newfound love for the game again.
“I’m like the eight-year-old version of me that’s just living her childhood dream at the moment.”
Grigg kicked off the game with a thumping tackle on McKenzie and then delivered the Dogs’ first goal.
But Paige Scott put the Tigers in front after the quarter-time siren, while Caitlin Greiser extended their lead to six early in the second term.
The Bulldogs regained control, leading by seven at half-time and maintaining that lead at three-quarter-time.
Richmond’s Beth Lynch took an incredible mark going back with the flight early in the final term.
But it wasn’t enough to inspire a comeback.
Heidi Woodley snapped a wonderful goal through traffic to seal the deal, then Pritchard turned Sunday afternoon into party time.
The Bulldogs (1-1) next play Hawthorn at Whitten Oval on Saturday while Richmond (0-2) face Essendon in Darwin on Friday night.
AAP
Six goals, 30 touches: Is this the best individual AFLW performance of all time?
North Melbourne superstar Jasmine Garner has produced one of the best individual AFLW performances of all-time in the reigning premiers’ 72-point demolition of Port Adelaide.
Garner kicked a career-best six goals from 30 disposals as the Kangaroos unveiled their premiership flag at Arden Street on Sunday before posting a dominant 13.9 (87) to 2.3 (15) victory.
Jasmine Garner was dominant in North Melbourne’s thumping win over Port Adelaide.Credit: Getty Images
It extended the Darren Crocker-coached side’s unbeaten run to 16 matches, after a dominant 2024 campaign and perfect 2-0 start to the new season.
The only sour note for North was losing Kim Rennie to a left ankle sprain in a ruck contest during the third quarter.
Garner’s six-goal haul was just one short of the record-equalling seven kicked by Sydney’s Chloe Molloy against Gold Coast a day earlier.
The 31-year-old’s stunning first half included four goals from 16 touches, eight contested possessions and eight score involvements.
“I’m pretty lucky,” Garner told Seven at half-time.
“I’ve got such a great midfield and team around me. They allow me to get forward and get on the end of a few.”
North Melbourne had no shortage of stars, with Garner and fellow midfielder Ash Riddell at the top of the list.
Riddell tallied a career-best 43 disposals, seven clearances and a goal, and was full of praise for first-year captain Garner.
“I love playing with her. She’s one of my best mates and it’s nice to see her go forward and kick a few snags,” Riddell told Seven.
“She’s so humble and an amazing leader, so we love playing footy with her.”
Garner stunned Port Adelaide with two early goals and Irish newcomer Amy Gavin Mangan capped a busy debut quarter with her first major.
The Kangaroos opened up a 35-0 lead during the second term before Gemma Houghton eventually found a reply for the Power.
But Houghton’s long-range goal was the visitors’ only score of the first half and they trailed by 43 points at the main break.
Port showed fight after the main break, and Houghton added a second major, but the damage had been done.
Garner kicked her sixth goal with more than three minutes left on the clock but didn’t seek to match the AFLW record, sitting out the remainder of the match on the bench.
Abbey Dowrick (19 disposals), Matilda Scholz (16), Ashleigh Woodland (15) and Houghton fought hard for the visitors, who slipped to 0-2 for the season.
AAP
The winners and losers from the round so far...
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McDonagh the hero as Hawks survive Blues scare
Hawthorn have held on for a seven-point win over Carlton in a low-scoring scrap at Kinetic Stadium in Frankston.
The Hawks led by seven points but fell behind early in the last term, before Aine McDonagh slammed through the match-winner of a 3.12 (30) to 2.10 (22) victory.
After finishing the first half goalless, Dayna Finn breathed new life into the visitors’ quest and levelled the scores at 2.9 (21) in the fourth term.
Aine McDonagh and her Hawks teammates celebrate a crucial goal.Credit: Getty Images
Both sides had ample chances to seal the deal earlier.
Hawks star Greta Bodey was first denied by Blues defender Madeline Hendrie on the line.
Madeleine Guerin then had a chance to put Carlton ahead after a superb tackle on Hawthorn captain Emily Bates, but sent her shot wide.
McDonagh had slotted the match-winner after suffering a knee to the back from Breann Harrington in a marking contest late in the third quarter.
Bates led the way for Hawthorn with one goal, 24 touches and five clearances, with Tilly Lucas-Rodd matching the Hawks skipper’s disposal count in defence.
Grace Baba was also lively on debut for the home side, offsetting the loss of injured midfielder Jas Fleming (knee).
Baba, drafted with pick No.28 last year, only had five touches but made every one of them count and impressed off the ball.
Fleming will miss at least four weeks after injuring the medial ligament in her knee in the round-one win over Brisbane.
The opening quarter was an arm wrestle before Hawthorn hit the scoreboard through Bridie Hipwell near the 10-minute mark.
Hawk Jess Vukic means a group of fans at Kinetic Stadium in Frankston.Credit: Getty Images
Bates kicked another goal for the Hawks after being gifted an extra 50 metres when Lila Keck overstepped the mark.
Keck then notched Carlton’s first score after her running shot at goal went wide, with the Blues managing only four behinds before the first break.
Hawthorn broke out to 22 inside-50 entries to 13 at half-time but only added three more points for an 11-point lead.
Bodey almost ended the goal-scoring drought with a soccer kick in the third quarter, but a quick-thinking Yasmin Duursma got a hand to the ball.
Guerin then kicked truly to give Carlton their first goal and help keep the deficit to six points.
Harrington gave the Blues a chance to hit the scoreboard with a textbook tackle on Bates, but Erone Fitzpatrick’s running shot at goal was touched on the line by Hawks defender Najwa Allen.
It was a free kick for a high tackle paid to Fitzpatrick that opened the doors for Finn to level the scores.
