Lions dominate AFLW season opener but Bombers shine
· news
The Lions Got the AFLW Points, But There Were Two High-Point Performances for the Bombers
The opening round of the Australian Football League Women (AFLW) season has confirmed that the Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne are the teams to beat. The Lions’ dominant 48-point victory over Essendon at Windy Hill set a high standard, while North Melbourne’s record-breaking 28th-straight win against Geelong at Marvel Stadium reinforced their status as two-time defending premiers.
The ease with which both teams asserted their authority was striking. In the case of the Lions, midfielder Jade Ellenger delivered an exceptional performance in midfield that left Essendon’s Madison Prespaskis struggling to keep pace. The Bombers’ inability to stem the tide despite some productive play from Prespaskis and others highlights a significant gap between these two teams.
The Lions’ victory has also sparked debate about what this means for Essendon’s new coaching duo, Jarrad Donders and Brendan Fevola. While it’s early days yet, Donders’ first win with the team will be seen as a crucial step in his bid to turn around the Bombers’ fortunes. The fact that even this impressive performance came on the back of several high-profile recruitment coups over the off-season is worth noting.
In contrast, North Melbourne’s thumping of Geelong has raised questions about the Cats’ ability to challenge for top honors. After a disastrous term last year, the Cats had been expected to be more competitive this season. However, their struggles in front of goal and inability to contain the Roos’ relentless attacking have left them looking increasingly like also-rans.
North Melbourne’s unprecedented winning streak has come at a cost – their opponents are beginning to develop strategies specifically designed to counter their unique style of play. It remains to be seen whether this will ultimately prove to be a weakness that others can exploit.
While the Lions and North Melbourne continue to set the pace, other teams are still struggling to find consistency. Collingwood’s 18-point loss to Richmond on Saturday was a case in point. Despite some promising signs from debutants and new players, the Magpies struggled to adapt to their opponents’ more experienced lineup. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see whether this team can find a way to gel and push for finals.
Ultimately, these early results have only added fuel to the debate about which teams are truly in contention for this year’s title. While North Melbourne’s dominance continues unabated, the Lions’ performance has given fans hope that other teams might yet be able to bridge the gap. As we look ahead to next week’s matches, one thing is clear: the competition is heating up – and these early results will likely have significant implications for the rest of the season.
The standard set by Brisbane and North Melbourne is a high bar indeed, but it’s also an opportunity for other teams to prove their mettle. Can they rise to the challenge? Only time will tell.
Reader Views
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
The AFLW season has officially kicked off with a bang, and two teams are already standing head and shoulders above the rest. But let's not get too caught up in the Lions' dominating performance - we're forgetting about North Melbourne's record-breaking winning streak. What happens when they inevitably hit a roadblock? Do they have the depth to bounce back from setbacks, or will their relentless pursuit of victory take its toll on the team's long-term success? The Bombers might be shining bright now, but the real test begins once the easy wins dry up.
- ADAnalyst D. Park · policy analyst
The AFLW season's opening round has reinforced North Melbourne's stranglehold on the league, but let's not get ahead of ourselves - this is still a developing competition and teams like Essendon and Geelong are bound to improve as they gain experience. A more nuanced analysis would consider the respective opponents' defensive strategies, which played a significant role in both outcomes. While Jade Ellenger was undoubtedly impressive for Brisbane, it's likely that other teams will find ways to nullify her influence over time.
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
While North Melbourne's 28-game winning streak is undeniably impressive, it also raises concerns about their competitiveness in meaningful matches. The Roos' dominance over Geelong was almost too easy, and one wonders if they'll be able to translate that form into tight contests against the likes of the Lions or Carlton. A more telling test of North Melbourne's mettle will come when they face a team with a solid defensive strategy – will their attacking flair be enough to overcome the inevitable drop in scoring?