Hawthorn’s VFLW team’s winning streak has come to an end, going down by seven points to Collingwood at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Despite a strong start to the season for the Hawks, the Pies proved to be relentless opponents, as they controlled the ball for most of the game and prevented the Hawks from gaining a lead.
A slow start from both sides opened the game, as they struggled to find their targets and get clean hands on the ball. The opposition was taking every opportunity to shut down the Hawks, with AFLW 2018 Rising Star Chloe Molloy returning to the Collingwood VFLW side and kicking the first and only goal for the quarter.
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It was a scrappy contest in the second term, with missed opportunities for the Hawks. The Pies were able to control possession, however standout defenders Chantella Perera, Jade Van Dyk and Pepa Randall worked hard to hold the opposition to one goal for the term, keeping the Hawks in the game.
The half time reset led to a more polished home side, as Emily Gilder delivered a pivotal tackle and kicked a goal to get the Hawks on the scoreboard. However, Collingwood’s momentum was quickly reclaimed, as Sophie Alexander responded with another major before the end of the third quarter. Despite being the first game that wasn’t played on their terms, the Hawks continued to plug away as they trailed by 13 points at the final break.
The fourth quarter was the biggest effort of the game, as the Hawks fought back to narrow the lead by kicking two goals to the Pies’ one. The stakes were high, as both teams battled ‘til the final minutes to protect their undefeated starts to the 2018 season. The goals from Steph Carroll and Ali Dowler were confidence boosters, but not enough to beat the clock.
Collingwood eventually ran away victors 4.4(28) to 3.3(21).
Despite the result, there was still reason to celebrate, with Lou Wotton notching up her 200th game.
The Hawks VFLW side get a week off with a competition bye, before they return to take on the Southern Saints for another home game at 11:30am on Sunday the 17th of June.
HAWTHORN 0.1 0.2 1.3 3.3 (21)
COLLINGWOOD 1.2 2.3 3.3 4.4 (28)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Gilder, Carroll, Dowler
Collingwood: Molloy, Whitford, Alexander, Fowler
BEST
Hawthorn: Flanagan, Perera, Randall, Van Dyk, Sibley, O’Donnell
Collingwood: Lambert, D’Arcy, Molloy, Lee, Casey, Marsh
