After winning its first two games of the 2024 NAB AFLW season, ST KILDA defeated Sydney by a score of sixteen points, despite the loss of star forward Chloe Molloy for the remainder of the campaign.
The Swans co-captain, Molloy, was ruled out of the game an hour prior to kickoff due to what the team described as “knee soreness,” despite traveling with the squad on Sunday. Instead, the team announced that Molloy had suffered an ACL tear during the week while practicing, around 45 minutes later, right before the first bounce.
Saints against Swanscomplete stats and match coverage
The Swans’ sad day began with the Molloy news. On Sunday afternoon, in front of 2,694 fans at RSEA Park, the Swans lost 6.6 (42) to 4.2 (26).
The opening quarter ended in a low-scoring contest as Sydney’s attempts to clear their defensive 50 and St Kilda’s set shots were severely hindered by the whirling wind at Moorabbin.
Forwards are missed. Jamie Lambert and Jesse Wardlaw demonstrated how tough the conditions were when Wardlaw missed a shot from straight ahead that was 10 meters out.
The Saints won the term 11–6, dominating within the 50s, but they were unable to capitalize on their advantage on the scoreboard, ending the quarter with six behinds while Sydney was still without a point.
Former Magpie Darcy Guttridge finally scored the game’s first major when he scored inside 50 after excellent defensive pressure from St Kilda forward J’Noemi Anderson.
As the second quarter progressed, the weather got worse and rain started to fall. The Saints, who led by 23 points at the half thanks to goals from Ella Friend and midfielder Tyanna Smith, appeared to be enjoying the favorable circumstances.
The third period saw more rain, which made it harder for players to obtain clean possessions. However, the Swans scored their first major when Sydney’s Cynthia Hamilton was set up for a set shot after a high tackle. Nat Exon, who rejoined the club this week, scored a goal for the Saints right away by dribbling the ball through from ten meters out.
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With winger Molly McDonald scoring an end-to-end goal to give the Saints a 28-point advantage at halftime, the Saints increased their lead once again.
Sydney gave it their best in the last period, scoring goals through young gun Sofia Hurley and speedy Montana Beruldsen, but star forward Wardlaw’s 50-meter goal on the run at the 14-minute mark put the game out of reach.
Rebecca Privitelli scored a goal in her 50th game for the Swans, cutting the final gap to 16 points, but the Saints easily won and picked up four points.
Chloe Molloy, the Swans’ standout forward and co-captain, was a late scratch; the team first reported her absence due to knee pain. But the team announced just before the initial bounce that the 25-year-old had torn her ACL during the week of training. Upon arriving at the ground with her teammates, Molloy seemed upbeat even though she was aware that her season was gone. In order to avoid interfering with the playing group’s preparation, CEO Tom Harley chose to keep the Swans’ players and supporters in the dark about the scan results, even though he acknowledged them during the game.
The new era of saints
The Saints’ AFLW season is themed around Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour,” and it appears like Nick Dal Santo’s team is entering a new era on the field. The Saints appear to be the club we have been waiting for since they joined the league in 2020 after two games of the 2024 campaign. a healthy and free of injuries Liv Vesely accumulates disposals in the midst. Jesse Wardlaw scoring goals and clunking disputed marks in a powerful manner. In defense, Nic Stevens is keeping an eye on home, while Grace Kelly and Molly McDonald control both wings. Everyone appears to be performing their part and engaging in well-organized, disciplined football. We are more than prepared for it.
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