Dockers storm the eight as Magpies finally break through

Fremantle has muscled its way into the AFLW top eight with a 9.6 (60) to 5.5 (35) win over Adelaide at Unley Oval on 27 September. In footy scoring, that reads nine goals, six behinds for 60 points against five goals, five behinds for 35. The 25-point margin lifted the Dockers to 4-3 and dropped the Crows to 3-4, according to ABC News.

The Dockers won it early. They outscored Adelaide 28-0 in the first quarter. The lead stretched to as much as 45 points before the Crows steadied late.

That fast start mattered for history too. Adelaide held a 9-1 record against Fremantle before the bounce. The win was Fremantle's first in the past seven meetings between the clubs. It also pushed Fremantle inside the top eight with the season tightening.

Collingwood finally has something to defend. The Magpies beat Greater Western Sydney 4.10 (34) to 3.7 (25) at Victoria Park on 27 September. Nine points. First win of the season.

It was a grind. GWS led by one point at quarter-time, by four at half-time and by seven at three-quarter-time. Collingwood kept coming. The Pies finished with 18 more inside-50s — entries into the attacking 50-metre arc — and 16 more contested possessions, the hard ball won under pressure.

Both clubs now sit at 1-6. For Collingwood, the numbers explain the relief. Territory and contest told in the last quarter.

Sydney stayed in the top four with a 5.7 (37) to 3.5 (23) win over Brisbane. Fourteen points the difference. Brisbane slipped to 2-5 after the loss.

The Swans found the break when it counted. Cynthia Hamilton kicked a goal inside the first minute of the last quarter to give Sydney separation. Brisbane could not close again.

Gold Coast produced the comeback of the round. The Suns beat St Kilda 10.9 (69) to 6.3 (39) in round seven, a 30-point turnaround. St Kilda led by 15 points at half-time. Gold Coast owned the second half.

The reward is ladder position. Gold Coast moved to sixth after the win.

What makes this stand out is the shape of the ladder. Fremantle and Gold Coast are now inside the finals places. Sydney is holding its ground near the top. Collingwood has life. September is still taking shape, and the run home just got louder.