AFLW round 11: ‘Difficult decision’ as Dons sack inaugural coach; Kangas back on top

Geelong Cats coach Mick Stinear called the dismissal of his inaugural coach a difficult decision, even as his team secured a vital 30-point victory over the Fremantle Dockers in Round 11 of the Australian Football League Women’s competition. The Cats defeated the Dockers 9.10 (64) to 5.4 (34) at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday, a result that guarantees Geelong a qualifying final at their home ground. The win also dealt a severe blow to Fremantle’s aspirations of finishing in the top eight. The match was characterized by intense physicality, leading to multiple injuries for both sides. A heavy collision early in the final quarter forced Geelong’s Rachel Kearns off the field. Fremantle midfielder Noa McNaughton required assistance from two trainers before leaving the game late in the match due to an ankle injury. Geelong forward Chantal Mason sustained a facial cut during a marking contest. Other players requiring medical attention included Fremantle’s Aoife Healy, Aisling McCarthy, and Kiara Bowers, along with Cats player Aishling Moloney. Geelong entered the final quarter with a commanding lead of 48 points. Coach Stinear told his squad in the three-quarter time huddle to finish the job at our house. This marked the Cats’ fourth consecutive home victory within a broader ten-game winning streak that has propelled them to second place on the ladder. Their sole defeat this season occurred in Round One against North Melbourne, the two-time defending premiers who are projected to finish the regular season atop the table. Midfielders Georgie Prespakis and Nina Morrison delivered standout performances for Geelong. For Fremantle, defender Emma O’Driscoll highlighted her excellent game with a spectacular contested mark in the final quarter. Despite the effort, the Dockers fell from eighth to tenth position on the ladder following the loss. They will host seventh-placed Sydney Swans in the final game of Round 12 next Sunday, with the finals commencing the following weekend. In other Round 11 action, the Brisbane Lions achieved their first successive wins of the season by defeating St Kilda by 52 points at RSEA Park. The Lions recorded a score of 11.9 (75) to 3.5 (23). The victory ended a challenging period for St Kilda under interim coach Matt Brewer, who had recently removed Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw and Maya Louvel-Finn from the lineup for failing to meet team standards. Tyanna Smith scored the Saints’ second goal to reduce the deficit to 13 points at halftime, giving St Kilda hope. However, they managed only two behinds in the second half as Brisbane controlled the remainder of the game. Earlier on Friday night, Collingwood suffered a goalless defeat to Port Adelaide by 48 points at Alberton Oval. The loss left the Magpies in second-last place on the AFLW ladder. The result compounded a difficult week for Collingwood, during which they received news regarding captain Ruby Schleicher’s return. The Geelong victory cements their position in the upper part of the table ahead of the end of the regular season. The physical nature of the match raised concerns about potential long-term injury implications for several key players. Fremantle’s drop down the ladder complicates their path to the finals, forcing them to rely on a win against Sydney and favorable results elsewhere. Brisbane’s momentum provides a boost to their campaign, while St Kilda faces continued pressure under interim leadership. Collingwood’s struggle continues as they sit near the bottom of the competition standings. The upcoming Round 12 fixtures will determine the final seeding for the finals series. Players involved in the heavy collisions at GMHBA Stadium will undergo further assessments to determine the extent of their injuries. The league schedule proceeds with the final regular season round scheduled for next Sunday.