In a tumultuous week for the GWS Giants, the Hawthorn Hawks added to their woes with a dominant 37-point victory in round eight of the AFLW season. The Giants, still reeling from the fallout of their men’s team’s inappropriate end-of-season function, struggled to keep pace with the high-flying Hawks at Kinetic Stadium on Saturday.
Giants Grapple with Emotional Toll
GWS coach Cam Bernasconi acknowledged the difficult week his team faced, with the men’s team’s sexist skits and inappropriate costumes casting a shadow over the club. “The whole AFLW program was really disappointed with the actions of what went on, and that does filter into the footy club,” Bernasconi said post-match.
There’s a big emotional toll that has on not just the playing group, but everyone inside the footy club with the actions of what happened.
– Cam Bernasconi, GWS Giants AFLW Coach
The Giants’ preparation was largely overshadowed by the joint AFL investigation, which resulted in player Josh Fahey being banned for four matches and Jake Riccardi among teammates suspended for two games. Bernasconi praised his team’s resilience in weathering the storm, but admitted the emotional fatigue was evident late in the game.
Hawks Soar Towards Finals
On the other side of the coin, Hawthorn continued their remarkable transformation under first-year coach Daniel Webster. The Hawks, who had not won more than three games in a season prior to 2024, now sit at 8-1 and are closing in on a top-two finish.
Hawthorn’s star-studded midfield, led by Emily Bates (34 disposals, eight clearances), controlled the game from the outset. With sharpshooter Greta Bodey sidelined, Aileen Gilroy stepped up in attack, booting three crucial goals.
Explosive Start Fizzles Out
The Giants burst out of the gates with Tarni Evans kicking the first two goals in the opening three minutes. However, the Hawks quickly found their footing, trailing by just two points at the first change.
Despite trapping the play in their forward half for much of the second term, Hawthorn could not capitalize on the scoreboard. A wayward shot from Aine McDonagh was all they could muster as they entered halftime with a slender one-point lead.
Bates, Gilroy Shine in Second Half
Emily Bates broke the scoring drought with the first major since the opening quarter, sparking the Hawks into action. Gilroy and Charlotte Baskaran followed suit, pushing Hawthorn’s lead to 19 points at the final break.
While Jessica Doyle briefly gave GWS hope with a goal to start the fourth, Gilroy’s third for the match put the result beyond doubt. The Giants, visibly drained from a challenging week, could not match Hawthorn’s intensity in the closing stages.
Parker a Shining Light for Giants
Amidst the disappointment, Alyce Parker was once again a standout for GWS. The dynamic midfielder collected 27 disposals, six clearances, 13 contested possessions, and laid eight tackles in a tireless display.
However, Parker’s herculean efforts were not enough to will her team over the line, as the Hawks ran out convincing 37-point victors. The loss, compounded by a torso injury to Georgia Garnett, adds to the Giants’ woes as they look to regroup in the coming weeks.
Road Ahead for Both Teams
For Hawthorn, the win keeps their top-two hopes alive heading into the final rounds of the season. Coach Daniel Webster will be thrilled with how his team has gelled in his first year at the helm, with a finals berth all but assured.
The Giants, meanwhile, face an uphill battle to salvage their season. With the club still dealing with the fallout from the men’s team scandal, Bernasconi faces the unenviable task of refocusing his players for the challenges ahead.
As the AFLW season reaches its climax, the contrast between the soaring Hawks and the struggling Giants could not be starker. While Hawthorn’s fairytale rise continues, GWS will need to dig deep to overcome the emotional toll of a forgettable week both on and off the field.
