Eagles survive late scare as Bulldogs and Blues win in AFLW Round 7
West Coast beat Essendon 6.9 (45) to 4.11 (35) at Windy Hill in AFLW Round 7. The 10-point win was the Eagles' third in a row, lifting them to 3-4 and leaving the Bombers at 0-7, according to ABC.
The visitors looked home early. West Coast stretched its lead to as much as 34 points during the third quarter and still led by 28 points at three-quarter time. The Bombers almost stole it. They kicked 2.7 to West Coast's 0.1 in the final quarter but ran out of time.
Ella Roberts picked a good day for a milestone. Playing her 50th AFLW game, she gathered 31 disposals — kicks and handballs combined — with four clearances, one goal assist, nine tackles and 717 metres gained. She set the pace around the ball and kept driving the Eagles forward when Essendon surged.
Jaide Britton kicked two goals for West Coast. Amy Franklin added 1.3 and took six marks, clean catches that earn a free kick. For Essendon, Maddy Prespakis collected 27 disposals and 466 metres gained, while Steph Wales had 20 disposals and kicked a goal.
At Whitten Oval, the Western Bulldogs beat Port Adelaide 10.2 (62) to 8.1 (49). The 13-point win moved the Bulldogs to 5-2 and dropped Port to 2-5, according to ABC.
The Bulldogs led by 13 points at half-time, then broke the game open. They kicked 7.0 — seven goals without a miss — in the second half. Heidi Woodley was the difference with a career-high four goals from 18 disposals.
Port did not go quietly. Ellie Hampson kicked three goals on debut and Shineah Goody added two. Ruck Matilda Scholz, who contests the ball-up taps, finished with 22 disposals, 40 hit-outs and five clearances.
In the third game of the round, Carlton beat Richmond 11.10 (76) to 3.3 (21) at Princes Park. The 55-point margin was the most decisive of the three results.
What makes this stand out is momentum. West Coast had to defend grimly after dominating for three quarters. The Bulldogs had to stay perfect in front of goal to hold off a young Port side. Both found a way.
