3 minute read
Hawthorn have defied a blustery breeze and a valiant challenge from Gold Coast to continue their impressive AFLW charge in 2024.
Hawthorn have leapt to second position on the AFLW top four after notching a hard-fought 13-point win over Gold Coast at windswept Frankston.
The Hawks lost momentum when they failed to register a single inside-50 in the third quarter before finishing powerfully to beat the winless Suns 4.11 (35) to 3.4 (22) at Kinetic Stadium on Wednesday and move to 5-1.
Gun recruit Eliza West (23 disposals, nine tackles, eight clearances) was the standout for the hosts, who risked letting slip strong wins in most key departments with errant finishing in the tricky conditions.
"We knew we had the wind (in the fourth quarter) and we just had to battle it out," West said.
"It was a scrap the whole game.
"They definitely brought it to us in the third quarter and you could feel the momentum.
"I'm just glad the team was able to put together a strong fourth quarter."
Gun on-baller Charlie Rowbottom was outstanding for the Suns, with 23 of her 29 possessions contested, to go with 11 tackles and 10 clearances.
Lucy Single (17 disposals, 12 tackles) and Daisy D'Arcy (23 touches) also impressed for the plucky Suns.
Jacqueline Dupuy (two goals) got Gold Coast off to a flier with a goal inside the first two minutes but the Hawks had the better of the opening stanza, riding their midfield advantage to an eight-point quarter-time buffer.
Hawthorn were aided by the stiff breeze in the second term and dominated territory, forcing Gold Coast to scrap and defend grimly.
The home side manufactured a 14-0 advantage in inside-50s for the quarter but could only muster 1.5, a solid result for the Suns who were camped repeatedly on the back foot.
Gold Coast had the wind-favoured beach end in the third term, upped their pressure and turned the tables on the Hawks, conjuring a 13-0 edge in inside-50s.
Single converted the Suns' first goal since the opening moments before Dupuy added another following a strong pack mark, the visitors slicing their 19-point halftime deficit to six at three-quarter-time.
The Suns were left to rue a gilt-edged opportunity into the breeze in the fourth when Dupuy ignored a wide-open Jamie Stanton close to goal and instead went back and missed a set shot, when a six-pointer would have put them in front.
West, who was enormous down the stretch, made Gold Coast pay, producing a vital smother and opportunistic snapped major.
