No Tayla Harris, no worries: Demons defeat Cats in AFLW

Melbourne have stormed residence with a 49-point win over Geelong to kick off their AFLW rivalry and maintain a 14-game profitable streak alive.

Shedding star ahead Tayla Harris to a hamstring damage proved no impediment within the Demons’ maiden conflict with the Cats, with the guests taking out a 11.8 (74) to 4.1 (25) victory at Kardinia Park on Thursday as former skipper Daisy Pearce watched on.

Captain Kate Hore led on the scoreboard with a haul of 4 majors whereas vice-captain Tyla Hanks (20 disposals, three clearances) and Olivia Purcell (19, eight) labored additional time within the midfield.

Paxy Paxman (two targets), Eden Zanker (two), Maddi Homosexual (one) and Lily Mithen (one) have been additionally amongst Melbourne’s six aim kickers.

But it surely was Cats star Nina Morrison who took management of the midfield, snatching a significant and racking a game-high 30 disposals and eight clearances, together with Amy McDonald (26, seven).

The hosts began strongly in typical Geelong trend, registering six inside-50s to Melbourne’s one and 6 forward-half intercepts to none within the opening minutes of the match.

Prolific aim kicker Chloe Scheer threatened to open the account for the Cats with a operating open aim however as a substitute gave away a free kick for a push within the again.

Veteran Demon Paxman grabbed the primary six factors after being awarded a free kick for being held by defender Georgie Rankin, earlier than Hore backed it up with a centre-bounce aim.

The Cats discovered a response in Irishwoman Aishling Moloney (three targets) to scale back the margin to seven factors simply earlier than quarter time.

Hore took centre stage within the second time period, kicking two majors to place the Demons forward by 22 factors.

It was Moloney’s flip to star within the third quarter, including two targets to her haul within the span of 5 minutes to maintain the Cats within the contest whereas captain Meghan McDonald (seven intercept possessions) and Claudia Gunjaca (eight) stood up in defence.

Melbourne kicked 4 unanswered targets within the closing time period to seal the win, with Hore making herself the league’s main goalkicker with 14 targets to her identify.

Heading into the second half of the season with 5 wins on the trot, Melbourne’s undefeated standing will come below risk after they meet three-time premiership facet Adelaide subsequent weekend.

In the meantime, Geelong (3-2) and midfielder Georgie Prespakis make the journey to Warrnambool to fulfill with Essendon and sister Maddy for spherical six.

AAP

Loading