St Kilda has denied Sydney a fairytale AFLW debut as Kate Shierlaw booted 4 objectives to arrange a 29-point victory in entrance of a fervent crowd at North Sydney Oval.
Key factors:
The Swans are one in every of 4 groups making their AFLW debut this seasonRebecca Privitelli kicked the Swans’ first AFLW purposeGeorgia Patrikios had a match-high 17 disposals for the Saints
The inaugural Swans rode a wave of emotion and energy to outplay the Saints for a lot of the opening time period however the guests impressed after the primary change to triumph 8.8 (56) to 4.3 (27).
The Swans’ loss may come at an additional price as primary draft decide Montana Ham went to floor and instantly clutched at her knee within the dying levels of the ultimate time period and needed to be helped from the sphere.
With the scores tight within the second time period, Shierlaw kicked two objectives in as many minutes to open up a 21-point lead that the Saints by no means regarded like giving up regardless of it being a memorable event for the Swans in entrance of 8,264 spectators.
The tall ahead went on to trigger the Swans defence issues all through and was the dominant goal on the sphere.
The Saints’ prized recruit Nicola Stevens made an excellent begin for her new membership and in her fiftieth match, kicking really to open the scoring after solely 90 seconds.
Rebecca Privitelli put her identify within the file books quickly after because the Swans first AFLW participant in addition a purpose, benefiting from a free kick 25 metres out and instantly in entrance to set off wild celebrations.
Georgia Patrikios had a match-high 17 disposals and added energy to the Saints midfield in her first match after sitting out season six when selecting to not meet vaccination necessities, whereas Tarni White additionally gathered 17 touches.
Clara Fitzpatrick made a stirring return after two seasons on the sidelines resulting from visa points and an ACL damage and Saints midfielder Molly McDonald (13) confirmed that she is able to emerge as a key participant in her fourth season.
The Swans fielded 11 debutantes together with Ham who grew into the sport earlier than her damage however co-captain Lauren Szigeti was the decide of the first-gamers and Cynthia Hamilton additionally impressed.
In a spirited first displaying, the Swans managed the ball and territory for lengthy intervals however the Saints regularly wore them right down to reveal they’re effectively positioned to enhance on a second-last end final season.
The Swans will take their first highway journey to face Collingwood at Victoria Park subsequent Sunday, whereas the Saints face one other growth membership in Hawthorn later the identical day.
AAP
