Sydney Swans and Hawthorn both advanced to the AFLW semi-finals on the weekend, with the Swans dominating the Western Bulldogs by 29 points and the Hawks claiming a breakthrough finals win over Gold Coast.
The Swans kicked three consecutive goals in the first quarter at a windswept Henson Park, leaving the Bulldogs goalless. Tanya Kennedy laid a crucial tag on Isabelle Pritchard to shut down the Dogs' scoring capacity, and the Swans won 7.4 (46) to 2.5 (17). Swans coach Colin O'Riordan said the team was thrilled with the win, but hungry to keep improving. "Scoreboard is important at the end of the game, but you don't get there unless you stick to the process and you stick to what we are trying to do," O'Riordan said.
Hawthorn, meanwhile, defeated favourites Gold Coast by 18 points in Queensland to cement their first finals win. The Hawks broke away in the third quarter with three unanswered goals, taking a 15-point lead into the final break. The Suns fought back with a goal from Mikayla Nurse, but Hawthorn held on to win 8.9 (57) to 6.3 (39). Gold Coast's campaign ended after an extraordinary comeback from last place in 2025, though the team will wait for updates on youngster Ava Ulsher, who left the ground after a collision with a teammate.
For the Swans, the win comes amid a difficult year for the club off the field, with the women's program absorbing collateral damage from the Pullman hotel scandal and Tom Papley's alleged drug offence.
Sydney will now face Geelong in a semi-final, while Hawthorn will meet Carlton, the team that knocked them out of last year's finals.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Both teams keep their premiership hopes alive in a tightly contested AFLW finals series.
- Hawthorn's win ends a pattern of straight-sets exits, adding a new dimension to the finals.
- The Swans' ability to stay focused amid off-field distractions highlights the program's resilience.
Background
The AFLW finals series continues with semi-finals next weekend. Hawthorn had strong home-and-away seasons in recent years but faded in finals. Gold Coast, after finishing last in 2025, made a surprising run under new general manager Erin Phillips. Sydney's women's program has drawn record crowds to Henson Park this season.
What to Watch
- Sydney Swans vs Geelong Cats semi-final: Geelong lost a close qualifying final to Melbourne.
- Hawthorn vs Carlton semi-final: Carlton eliminated Hawthorn in last year's finals.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedSydney and Hawthorn advanced to AFLW semi-finals after wins on the weekend.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Sydney have booked a place in the AFLW semi-finals, defeating the Western Bulldogs by 29 points”
- SupportedSydney beat the Western Bulldogs by 29 points, 7.4 (46) to 2.5 (17).Brisbane Times - Latest News: “defeating the Western Bulldogs by 29 points ... winning 7.4 (46) to 2.5 (17).”
- SupportedThe Swans played in wet, windy conditions at Henson Park.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “in a high-pressure clash at a windswept soggy Henson Park.”
- SupportedThe Swans kicked three consecutive first-quarter goals and left the Bulldogs goalless in that quarter.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “kicking three consecutive goals in the first quarter and leaving the Bulldogs goalless.”
- SupportedTanya Kennedy tagged Isabelle Pritchard, shutting down the Bulldogs’ scoring capacity.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “a magnificent Tanya Kennedy laid a crucial tag on Isabelle Pritchard, shutting down the Dog’s scoring capacity.”
- SupportedColin O’Riordan said, “Scoreboard is important at the end of the game, but you don't get there unless you stick to the process and you stick to what we are trying to do.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““Scoreboard is important at the end of the game, but you don’t get there unless you stick to the process and you stick to what we are trying to do,” O’Riordan said.”
- SupportedHawthorn beat Gold Coast, who were favourites, by 18 points in Queensland and recorded its first finals win.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “defeating favourites Gold Coast by 18 points in Queensland to cement their first finals win.”
- SupportedHawthorn kicked three unanswered goals in the third quarter and took a 15-point lead into the final break.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “kicking three unanswered goals and grab a 15-point lead into the final break.”
- SupportedHawthorn beat Gold Coast 8.9 (57) to 6.3 (39), after Mikayla Nurse kicked a goal for the Suns.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Mikayla Nurse opened the quarter with a goal for the Suns ... to win 8.9 (57) to 6.3 (39).”
- SupportedGold Coast’s season was an extraordinary comeback after the team finished last in 2025.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The team has had an extraordinary comeback this year after finishing last in 2025.”
- SupportedAva Ulsher was helped from the ground by medical staff after a collision with a teammate, and the team was waiting for updates.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “the team will anxiously wait for updates on youngster Ava Ulsher who has helped from the ground by medical staff after a collision with her teammate.”
- SupportedSydney’s women’s program was affected by the Pullman hotel scandal and Tom Papley’s alleged drug offence.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The women’s program has copped collateral damage from the Pullman hotel scandal and Tom Papley’s alleged drug offence”