Overview
- Melbourne beat Richmond 14.10 (94) to 5.2 (32), a 62-point victory that secured the Demons a place in the AFLW finals and moved them back to second on the ladder following Friday night’s match.
- Ryleigh Wotherspoon produced a career-best game with four goals and 25 disposals, finishing the night as Melbourne’s clear match-winner in front of goal.
- Olivia Purcell and Tyla Hanks dominated the midfield with 36 and 32 possessions respectively and a combined haul of clearances and score involvements that fuelled Melbourne’s 47 inside-50s compared with Richmond’s 18.
- Melbourne showed scoring depth with nine different goalkickers while missing leading forward Mia Austin and Kate Hore; Austin has had throat surgery and does not yet have a confirmed return date.
- Richmond welcomed Monique Conti back from an Achilles injury and saw Poppy Kelly post 23 hit-outs but the Tigers’ ongoing contested-possession struggles left their defence exposed and they now head to face Gold Coast while Melbourne prepares for the Western Bulldogs.