A SNAPSHOT OF WEEK EIGHT OF THE AFLW SEASON
THEY SAID IT: "There's a big emotional toll that has ... You see a lot of emotional fatigue probably late in the game, but I was so proud that they came out and played a strong brand of footy" - Despite a 37-point loss to Hawthorn, GWS coach Cam Bernasconi praised his players' performance in the aftermath of the Giants men's end-of-season function debacle that involved sexist skits and inappropriate costumes.
THE MOMENT: Richmond's Ellie McKenzie produced a goal-of-the-year contender against Melbourne when she gained possession on the wing, took three bounces at full pace and nailed her shot on the run.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Fremantle are now a perfect 7-0 in western derbies after beating a plucky West Coast side by 23 points.
TALKING POINT: Who will make the top eight? The finals race is set to go down to the wire in the final two weeks of the season with four teams still trying to break into the top eight. Melbourne are within touching distance after their fourth-straight win against Richmond put them in ninth. The Demons are on the same points (20) as seventh-placed Essendon and eighth-placed Port Adelaide. St Kilda and West Coast are one game out of the top eight, while Geelong are in 12th on 14 points after an upset win over Brisbane.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Emily Bates reminded the league why she was crowned the competition's best-and-fairest in 2022 after a ruthless performance in Hawthorn's 37-point win over GWS. Bates finished with one goal, 34 disposals, eight clearances and 15 contested possessions to fire the Hawks to their sixth-consecutive win.
INJURIES: A Edmonds (WB, ankle), M Scholz (Port, knee), G Garnett (GWS, torso), K Brennan (Rich, ankle), M Scanlon (Frem, concussion), B Smith (WC, quad), G Featherston (Geel, hamstring), D Davidson (Bris, concussion), E James (Coll, concussion), K Kustermann (Coll, foot)
WHAT'S NEXT: Hawthorn kick off the penultimate round of the season by hosting a top-eight chasing Melbourne on Thursday before competition heavyweights Adelaide and North Melbourne go face-to-face in a top-four battle on Friday. On Saturday, GWS return home to play Fremantle, Gold Coast search for their second win of the season against Port Adelaide, West Coast take on Geelong, and Essendon and Richmond square off. Western Bulldogs will be looking to string together consecutive wins against St Kilda on Sunday with the final matches of the round between Collingwood against Carlton, and Brisbane against Sydney.
