Collingwood has earned a fifth win of the AFLW season, hanging on to beat Geelong by six points at Victoria Park.
On a day of miserable wet and windy conditions in Melbourne, goals were at a premium.
The Magpies created more chances and were able to convert enough before withstanding a late comeback from the Cats to come away with the win by 4.6 (30) to 3.6 (24).
The victory takes Steve Symonds’ Magpies (5-3) to 20 points, comfortably inside the top eight and just one win and percentage outside the top four.
Collingwood have kicked things up a gear since beating the Brisbane Lions a fortnight ago.
“It’s trust in roles. Everyone knows their role and [is] executing,” ruck Sabrina Frederick told the Seven Network.
“It builds that trust up, and up and in Brisbane we did that perfectly.”
Geelong, now sitting 4-4 and just inside the top eight, were left to rue a first half where they were held goalless.
Mikala Cann led the charge for the Pies, with 16 disposals, 12 contested possessions and a goal in the opening half.
Cann finished with 24 touches and 17 contested possessions and was supported by captain Brianna Davey (19 touches, six clearances) and Aisling Sheridan (19 touches, seven clearances).
Frederick (39 hitouts) had a busy day out, Sarah Rowe provided plenty of run and dare, while Nell Morris-Dalton was impressive in tough conditions for a key forward.
Geelong young gun Georgie Prespakis (26 disposals, 19 contested possessions, eight clearances) thrived in the conditions, and was well-supported by Nina Morrison and Amy McDonald.
Dockers win dashes Saints finals hopes
Fremantle Dockers have taken out a comfortable 24-point win to bring an abrupt end to St Kilda’s four-game streak and dash their AFLW finals hopes.
The Dockers dominated the Saints from the start to win 6.9 (45) to 3.3 (21) at Fremantle Oval.
Having been on the verge of making their first finals appearance, St Kilda (4-4) could now miss the top eight even if they beat fourth-placed Brisbane and ninth-placed Carlton.
Dana East was everywhere for Fremantle, leading the game in disposals (19) and contested possessions (11), alongside Orlagh Lally (19 disposals, five clearances).
Jamiee Lambert was the shining light for the otherwise subdued Saints, collecting a game-high seven clearances and 13 contested possessions.
Fremantle flew out of the gates from the first siren, producing their highest-scoring quarter of the season with 26 points in the opening term.
Aine Tighe set the tone for the Dockers with a brilliant goal less than 30 seconds into the first quarter, followed by two majors from Gabby O’Sullivan and another by Angelique Stannett.
Ella Friend slotted a much-needed goal for the visitors to make it 4.2 (26) to 1.3 (9) at quarter time.
With less than a minute till the long break, captain Hayley Miller (two goals) kicked the only major of the second quarter to give Fremantle a comfortable 26-point lead at half-time.
Despite two goals from Tyanna Smith and J’Noemi Anderson in the second half, the Saints struggled to eat into the deficit.
Fremantle (4-4) play premiers Melbourne next, before finishing the season against 11th-placed Sydney.
AAP/ABC
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