THEY SAID IT: "We're not fit enough. I said that to the girls in there. We're not going to make excuses over that because I think there are probably things outside of injuries, within our control, that would make us fitter. Just understanding the level of professionalism required now, skipping an ice bath or not eating properly, that doesn't cut it anymore." - Western Bulldogs coach Nathan Burke pulled no punches after a loss to St Kilda all but ended his side's finals hopes.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Melbourne captain Kate Hore flaunted her skill with a haul of four goals from 20 disposals in her side's thumping 49-point win over Geelong. It shot the Demons' first-year captain to the top of the league's goal-kicking list with 14 in five games. Hore has finished with at least one goal in every Melbourne game this season and has kicked multiples in each of her past four outings.
THE MOMENT: The Brisbane Lions sent the ball through half a dozen pairs of hands as they swiftly advanced from defence to attack in a sweeping move against Hawthorn. Ellie Hampson marked in the forward pocket and split the middle to complete one of the best team goals of the season.
TALKING POINT: Adelaide have marched through the first five rounds unbeaten in search of their fourth AFLW premiership but are about to face a huge test of their credentials. The Crows face fellow top-four sides and flag contenders Melbourne, Brisbane and North Melbourne over the next four weeks.
STATS THAT MATTER: Winless GWS posted just 0.2 (2) in their 30-point defeat to North Melbourne, whose inaccuracy kept the margin closer than it could have been. It was the Giants' second-lowest score in their AFLW history, after they kicked a record-low 0.1 (1) against Adelaide last season.
KEY INJURIES: A Velardo (Carl, abdomen), B Lochland (Syd, leg), S Alexander (Ess, concussion).
WHAT'S NEXT: The competition's last remaining unbeaten sides meet when Melbourne and Adelaide face off in a top-of-the-table contest at Casey Fields. In-form St Kilda will aim for a third-straight win when they host Hawthorn, and Brisbane take on Collingwood in an important clash. Finals hopefuls Essendon and Geelong meet in Warrnambool, while Fremantle host North Melbourne in an intriguing fixture.
