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Unsung hero Lucy Single has helped the Gold Coast ebook their second AFLW finals look with a 14-point win over Essendon.
Shedding midfield powerhouse Charlie Rowbottom to an ankle harm proved no impediment within the Suns’ maiden conflict with the Bombers, as they completed the common season with a 6.3 (39) to three.7 (25) victory to kick off Pleasure Spherical at Nice Barrier Reef Area on Friday.
The Gold Coast might end as excessive as third ought to outcomes go their means.
Essendon are in peril of slipping out of the highest eight, though coach Natalie Wooden tried to focus on the positives.
“We’re lucky, we’ve got banked six wins. Everybody’s fairly upset however that could be a nice step ahead for us,” she stated.
“We now have to sit down again and wait. We’re actually acutely aware that proportion can change actually rapidly and push us out of the eight.
“The message to the gamers was … we’re nonetheless in it.”
Whereas their males’s facet have but to make a finals look, that is the second time the Gold Coast’s ladies have clinched a play-off spot, having finished so throughout the cancelled 2020 season.
Single stuffed the large Rowbottom-size hole, accumulating 25 disposals and 6 clearances in her prolific efficiency throughout the sphere, whereas additionally taking part in an important tagging function on Maddy Prespakis.
The previous rugby sevens participant was effectively supported by Claudia Whitford (25, 5) and Alison Drennan (22, 4).
Prespakis was held to eight contested possessions — effectively beneath a season common of 14 per sport — whereas Georgia Nanscawen proved a potent risk with 13 contested possessions and three rating involvements.
The Bombers broke by means of first with a aim from Amber Clarke, however younger expertise Darcie Davies (two targets) was in a position to reply after being gifted 50 metres from a protected space infringement by Mia Bush.
Daisy D’Arcy, Jacqueline Dupuy, Jamie Stanton and Davies tried to interrupt away from the low-scoring tug-of-war within the second with targets of their very own.
However two targets from Amelia Radford and Georgia Gee saved the hosts shut, whereas defender Ellyse Gamble (9 intercept possessions) proved a roadblock for the Suns’ attackers.
Single lit up the park with a scientific slice by means of the hall, dodging two tackles to place the ball within the fingers of Georgia Clayden, who capped the centre clearance with the one main of the third time period.
With either side goalless within the last quarter, the Suns have been in a position to cruise dwelling.
Ought to Essendon fail to progress to the finals, inaugural AFLW participant and former Brisbane premiership performer Jess Wuetschner would have performed her final AFLW sport, having this week determined to retire.
AAP
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