Brisbane put an exclamation point on their run of dominance in the Australian Football League Women’s (AFLW) competition. They beat Essendon by 38 points at Windy Hill. The win was Brisbane’s first AFLW win at this ground. In fact, it was only their second ever meeting with Essendon, making just how historic this win was even more so. The game was played in terrible weather. Nevertheless, Brisbane has taken a firm hold of third place on the ladder, setting up a big top-four clash with second-placed Melbourne next week.
Even with the blustery weather that made shooting difficult from all angles, Brisbane held a steady grip on the match. They finished the match with a winning score of 7.12 (54) to Essendon’s 2.4 (16). Brisbane struggled as well through the opening 45 minutes. They were lucky to be leading by only 13 points at the half after having converted only three of nine shots inside the 20 as goals. It was their failure to take scoring chances that allowed the game to remain close.
Dominance in the Second Quarter
Brisbane flew out of the blocks with a barnstorming second term. Controlling the ball in their attacking third for an incredible 95 percent of that time! This nonstop pressure gave them the room to stretch their lead and build momentum. Taylor Smith scored four minutes into the quarter to give Brisbane the early lead. This decisive moment established their aggressive mindset at the plate.
Neasa Dooley was the star of the show for Brisbane, scoring two of her teams seven goals. Her great work in front of goal was important, especially as it kept the heat on Essendon’s backline. As Brisbane kept pressing and extending their control of the game, Essendon were pushed into a more defensive posture, opening up an even bigger chasm in score line.
Defensive Resilience
Though Brisbane’s attack stole the show, it was their defending that had just as big an influence on the win. Amy Gaylor’s defensive efforts were key during the pivotal moments of the match. Especially in the second half, after quarter time when the Bombers were trying to come back into the match, Gaylor and her defenders didn’t break with the pressure. Their poise under pressure to deny Essendon’s attempts to push forward meant that Brisbane always looked like the team in control.
Poppy Boltz made notable contributions during the game, executing key plays that helped solidify Brisbane’s control. It was the combination of attacking threat and rock solid defending that saw Brisbane claim a thoroughly deserved victory.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Brisbane holds second place in the top four of the AFLW table, with three games remaining this season. The team now faces an even bigger challenge coming up next week. They will do it against Melbourne, who is currently occupying the second-place position. For both teams, this upcoming clash of titans will be a defining match. As they head into the finals, they’re working tooth-and-nail to improve their spot.
