Suns break Melbourne hoodoo to lock in top-four push

Gold Coast beat Melbourne 9.7 (61) to 5.9 (39) at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay on October 10. It was the Suns' first win over the Demons in five meetings since joining the women's competition in 2020. It was also their sixth win on the trot. ABC News

Melbourne led by three points at quarter-time. Gold Coast took the lead in the second term and did not give it back.

Midfielder Charlie Rowbottom gathered a game-high 33 possessions. She also won six clearances, those first clean takes from a stoppage that launch an attack. Ava Usher, Mikayla Nurse and Havana Harris each kicked two goals.

Both clubs now hold 7-2 records with three rounds left before finals. That keeps Gold Coast right in the top-four race, where a home final is the prize for finishing high on the ladder.

What makes this stand out is the history. Melbourne had won all four previous clashes. To break that run in Mackay, in Round 9 of the 2026 NAB AFLW season, took steady footy after a slow start.

Adelaide answered in Melbourne. The Crows beat Richmond 9.8 (62) to 4.6 (30) at Princes Park, a 32-point margin. The win followed a 14-point Showdown loss to Port Adelaide the week before. ABC News

Captain Ebony Marinoff drove it. She finished with 40 disposals, kicks and handballs combined, plus 13 tackles and a goal. It was one short of her career-best tally. Adelaide moved to 4-5 and sits just outside the top eight.

Elsewhere, Geelong beat Greater Western Sydney by 63 points at Kardinia Park. Jacqueline Parry and Aishling Moloney each kicked four goals.

St Kilda found a win at last. The Saints edged Collingwood by two points at Moorabbin for their first victory of the season. It came as a send-off for departing coach Nick Dal Santo.