Hawthorn captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd is chaired off in her 50th AFLW game. (Photo: AFL)
The Hawks proved too good against a wasteful Port Adelaide side to celebrate captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd’s 50th AFLW game. In their third consecutive win, they beat Port Adelaide in a tough contested game by 13 points.
In a battle between the two best tackling teams in the competition, the match succeeded to deliver a heavily contested game.
However, it was the Hawks who came out on top of both the tackling count and scoreboard. Their 70 tackles compared to Port’s 40 would help them win the game 29-16.
The Hawks took the game away from their opposition with a big second half, as captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd led the charge in her 50th AFLW game.
She racked up 19 possessions and nine tackles for the game, showing her experience and skill. The skipper put the icing on the cake in her milestone game, kicking the last goal of the game.
Coach Bec Goddard paid special tribute to the inspirational Lucas-Rodd in another performance typical of what has come to be her norm.
“She is an amazing person, she is a great leader, we are so lucky to have her as the captain of our football club,” Goddard said post-game.
“She played terrifically tonight, she led by example.
“We are lucky to share that with her, you couldn’t have scripted that any better for Tilly to kick that last goal.”
The night was made even more special as Hawthorn continued its winning streak, which is now up to three games on the trot.
While they recruited well from current AFLW players, draftees, and state leaguers, expectations were low on what the Hawks could achieve in their first.
Goddard was over the moon to see the results getting on the board, with the work they put in across their short pre-season starting to pay off.
“It’s pretty exciting to win three in a row,” she exclaimed.
“We wanted to see progress each week, we have had 18 players make their AFLW debut this year, so to see progress in them and get away with a few wins in a row, it’s really exciting for them.”
Winger Kaitlyn Ashmore, who missed last week with a hamstring injury was influential playing as an extra down back. She created plenty of run, working hard for her 16 possessions.
Continuing her Rising Star nomination form, number two draft pick Jasmine Fleming showed good signs in all four quarters.
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From the Port Adelaide side, the players would be ruing their inability to convert opportunities into scores.
Starting the game, the Power came out firing from the get go, led by a dangerous Erin Phillips. The Port midfield completely dominated play with multiple inside 50s but were unable to take advantage of their chances.
Opening the scoring with four behinds, ruck-forward Olivia Levicki was finally able to achieve their first and only goal of the game. Port Adelaide seemed to disappear after Levicki’s goal, wasting countless opportunities in their forward line.
If the Power were able to convert the opportunities within their forward line, the result could have gone the other way. Missing multiple chances, it allowed the Hawks to come back into the game. Youngster Sophie Locke kicked the Hawks first goal just before the first quarter time siren.
While Phillips looked dangerous inside 50 and worked hard trying to find opportunities, she didn’t have the support around her. Still chasing her first goal at Port, she was unsuccessful on Saturday, adding three behinds to her total for the year.
Port fans will be proud of the defending trio of Ameile Borg, Ange Foley and Alex Ballard battling hard for the Power in the back half.
“When you kick one goal, ten [behinds] it makes it difficult to win a game of footy,” coach Lauren Arnell said post-game.
“We are disappointed because we know we are better and more capable.”
The Hawks will be looking to make it four wins in a row, as they travel to Sydney to take on the 15th placed GWS Giants. Port Adelaide will hope to have a better performance against a powerful North Melbourne team, as it tries to stay off the bottom of the ladder.
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