Narrm showed their strength with a powerful 47-point win over Collingwood at Ikon Park on Saturday, making a final push for a spot in the finals. This decisive victory capped off their late-season surge and left them waiting for the outcome of the Essendon vs. Carlton match to determine if they’ll clinch a place in the finals for a sixth consecutive year. The team’s resilience throughout a challenging season has put them in a promising position.
Narrm’s journey through the season wasn’t easy, with a rough start and an early record of 1-4, partly due to a heavy 65-point defeat by Essendon. However, as key players returned from injury and the team found a rhythm, their performance significantly improved, raising hopes of an unlikely finals bid. Now, only an Essendon loss stands between them and their goal, a remarkable feat given their earlier struggles.
In this game, Narrm dominated early, leading by 31 points at halftime and maintaining control throughout. Captain Kate Hore made an impactful comeback from a minor quad strain, contributing three goals and 17 disposals. Liv Purcell also led with eight clearances, helping Narrm set the tone for the match. Meanwhile, Collingwood’s Brit Bonnici and Ruby Schleicher made strong efforts, with Bonnici notching 20 disposals and two goals, while Schleicher added six clearances.
Collingwood tried to rally, with memorable moments like a long-range goal from Bonnici cutting the margin early in the game. However, Narrm’s relentless pressure kept them firmly in control. Alyssia Pisano’s well-placed kick for Eden Zanker to score was a highlight, extending Narrm’s lead in the third quarter and leaving little room for a Collingwood comeback.
The game also marked the end of an era, as retiring Collingwood defender Stacey Livingstone took the field one last time. She pushed forward in the final quarter, seeking a fairytale ending with a goal, but her effort narrowly missed. Still, the game was a fitting farewell for a foundational player who left a lasting legacy at the club.
Match Summary
Score
Narrm: 11.8 (74)
Collingwood: 4.3 (27)
Goal Scorers
Narrm: Hore (3), Bannan (2), Zanker, Pisano, Hanks, Gall, Fitzsimon, Campbell
Collingwood: Bonnici (2), Butler, Barnett