Happy, healthy Hatchard: A key to the Crows’ success

Published on: February 27, 2020March 19, 2020 by Mary Category:Uncategorised

This article was first written and published for The Roar.

Coming into AFLW season four, the Adelaide Crows were the hunted. After winning their second title in just three years in 2019, the club had certainly proven themselves as one of the most dominant teams in the competition.

However, after a couple of injuries sustained during the off-season, including to star midfielder Erin Phillips as well as Chloe Scheer and Deni Varnhagen, some doubt was cast over the squad’s ability to go back to back, particularly after their shock loss to the Brisbane Lions in Round 1.

10 things we learned from AFLW Round One

Published on: February 10, 2020 by Mary Category:Uncategorised

This story was first written by Kristy Williams.

The fourth instalment of AFLW kicked off at Ikon Park in Carlton on Friday night, and the standard just gets better and better each year! It promises to be the most even season the league has seen, with a least eight sides having legitimate Premiership aspirations.

There were a couple of surprises, weather affected games and some scintillating passages of play, so what did we learn from the opening round of AFLW 2019?

AFLW Round 1: Carlton Blues v Richmond Tigers

Published on: February 8, 2020 by Mary Category:Uncategorised

This piece was written by Kristy Williams.

An outstanding blue-collar performance from Carlton led to a comprehensive 34-point victory over league newcomers, Richmond, in the AFLW season opener at Ikon Park on Friday night.

With a vocal crowd of 15,337 watching on, last year’s runners-up, the Blues, put on a contested ball clinic despite the Tigers midfield throwing themselves with reckless abandon at the Sherrin.

Alicia Eva on lessons learned from Amanda Farrugia

Published on: February 6, 2020 by Mary Category:Uncategorised

This article was first written for and published by the Roar.

hen Amanda Farrugia announced her retirement from the AFLW in November last year, it left many fans shocked.

Farrugia, or ‘Fridge’ as she is more affectionately known, had become synonymous with the growth of women’s footy in New South Wales.

We can all live together: Why league has nothing to fear from the GWS Giants

Published on: September 24, 2019 by Mary Category:Uncategorised

This article was first written for and published by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Saturday night was one of mixed emotions. It started with pure joy when my AFL team (the GWS Giants) beat the Collingwood Magpies to claim a spot in the club’s first ever AFL Grand Final. A mere two hours later, joy turned to devastation when the Melbourne Storm comprehensively beat my rugby league team, the Parramatta Eels, ending their 2019 season.

No loyalty in the AFLW? What sport are you watching?

Published on: April 12, 2019April 12, 2019 by Mary Category:Uncategorised

This article was first written and published for The Roar.

Two weeks ago the Adelaide Crows were crowned AFLW Premiers for 2019, defeating Carlton 10.3 (63) to 2.6 (18).

There were many talking points from the game including the injury sustained by Crows co-captain Erin Phillips which saw her stretchered from the field in the third quarter, but there was no bigger talking point than the crowd.

Tayla Harris: 1, trolls: 0

Published on: March 21, 2019 by Mary Category:Uncategorised

This week’s award for ‘television network that has consistently missed the mark’ goes to Channel Seven.

Their week began with a Sunday Night exposé into NRL culture.

Many would have tuned in interested in details about the most recent off-field scandals, however Sunday Night instead focused on claims made against former player Bodene Thompson.

What do you mean AFLW starts this weekend?

Published on: January 30, 2019 by Mary Category:Uncategorised

This article was first written for and published by The Roar.

Season three of AFLW commences this weekend, with an opening round fixture between the Geelong Cats and Collingwood.

Two additional teams have joined the competition – North Melbourne and Geelong – expanding the total number of teams to ten.

Plenty of fan favourites return, including the likes of Amanda Farrugia, Sarah Perkins, Lauren Arnell, Emma Zielke, Brianna Davey, Darcy Vescio, Steph Chiocci, Gemma Houghton and Mel Hickey.

AFTER THE SIREN: Grassy Country Roots – Ashlyne McInnes

Published on: September 1, 2018September 1, 2018 by Mary Category:Uncategorised

This article was written by Morgan Harding.

Ashlyne McInnes grew up in a small town in regional Victoria where footy is the life force, the blood sweat and tears, and women’s players are growing astronomically.

Ashlyne’s journey started when her local footy team, the Carrisbrook Lady Redbacks, were struggling to find players. A few of her mates played and on a fateful rainy day, a few more players pulled out and Ashlyne decided, “I’ll just give it a crack and see what happens.” She ran out in “my little brother’s football boots. I had nothing”, she laughed.

“I had borrowed shorts, socks, everything.”

AFTER THE SIREN: From the beach to the field – Sophia Danielle

Published on: June 25, 2018June 25, 2018 by Mary Category:Uncategorised

This article was written by Morgan Harding.

Sophia Danielle migrated to Australia from Davao in the Philippines when she was six years old. She already had family in the country who were mad Western Bulldogs supporters and soon, Sophia followed suit, “I watched my first game when I was seven and since then, I just fell in love with it [footy] and have been into it ever since”.