A SNAPSHOT OF ROUND TWO OF THE AFLW SEASON
THEY SAID IT: "We just didn't get that rub of the green, did we?" - Geelong coach Dan Lowther after Mikayla Bowen's shot at goal, which looked certain to go through, bounced straight up off the goal line and was cleared away during the draw with North Melbourne.
THE MOMENT: Carlton and Gold Coast held their collective breath when the AFLW's new ball-tracking technology was put to the test to decide whether Maddy Guerin's snap shot had crossed the line during the final stages of their arm-wrestle in Mackay. The "score assist" system eventually confirmed a goal for Guerin and the Blues hung on for a thrilling one-point win when Lucy Single's attempted match-winner for the Suns drifted wide in the dying seconds.
STATS THAT MATTER: The Western Bulldogs fell flat on the big stage, kicking their lowest AFLW score in the opening game of a double-header at the MCG before the men's elimination final. The Dogs were held goalless for the first time, beaten 7.4 (46) to 0.6 (6) by Port Adelaide. The Bulldogs (0-2) have managed just one goal across their opening two games, including a first-round thumping from GWS.
TALKING POINT: Could Hawthorn mirror the extraordinary rise of their men's team to reach the AFLW finals for the first time this season? The Hawks (2-0) continued their unbeaten start to life under new coach Daniel Webster, crushing Collingwood by 47 points in round two despite losing captain Emily Bates as a late withdrawal because of a calf injury. Hawthorn sit on top of the ladder ahead of fellow unbeaten sides St Kilda and Adelaide.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Brisbane's prolific midfielder Ally Anderson was outstanding in setting a new AFLW record for most disposals in a match. Anderson was initially credited with 42 disposals - tying the record set by North Melbourne's Ash Riddell in 2022 - but was later given an extra handpass by official stats provider Champion Data. Anderson's huge day out also included revised tallies of 22 contested possessions, seven clearances, seven tackles and 599 metres gained.
INJURIES: J Cuthbertson (PA, knee), E Bates (Haw, calf), A McDonagh (Haw, arm/head), C Sherriff (Haw, leg), G Gee (Ess, calf), C Molloy (Syd, knee)
WHAT'S NEXT: The Bulldogs will officially open the redeveloped Whitten Oval in a clash with West Coast on Thursday night. Adelaide and Hawthorn put their perfect records on the line in their match, while a Demons-Kangaroos showdown looms at Casey Fields. Undefeated St Kilda travel to Windy Hill for an intriguing clash with Essendon.
