Despite kicking the last three goals of the game, Hawthorn succumbed to defeat against St Kilda by nine points at RSEA Park.
St Kilda has powered to three consecutive AFLW wins for the first time in club history, holding off Hawthorn at RSEA Park on Saturday afternoon, but may have lost veteran Steph Chiocci to injury in the process.
But the Saints held on for a nervy 7.3 (45) to 5.6 (36) win, ensuring they’ll continue knocking on the door of the top eight with four games left to play in the season.
Star Jaimee Lambert put in a dominant display with 26 disposals, a goal and nine tackles, while Nat Exon was dangerous all day with two majors from 17 touches and a pair of contested marks.
Saturday’s celebrations were soured, however, with Chiocci injuring her knee in a Kaitlyn Ashmore tackle deep in defence early in the first quarter.
The 34-year-old hobbled off the field and was seen in crutches on the sidelines for the game’s remainder.
It’s not yet clear whether Chiocci sustained serious damage, but losing her wealth of experience shapes as a big blow for a side desperate to keep in touch with the top eight.
The Hawks had the better of St Kilda in contested possession and clearance – usually key metrics – but were wasteful in front of goal early and broke down when attempting to send the ball inside 50.
Much of that was due to the Saints’ persistent pressure on the ball carrier, starving space and time from the Hawks in their forward half.
Conversely, St Kilda couldn’t miss, booting seven straight before its first scoreboard blemish.
Tilly Lucas-Rodd led from the front for Hawthorn as usual, but will be wondering “what if” after booting three behinds.
Meanwhile, Jasmine Fleming also looked a class above at times with her speed in another strong sign of the 18-year-old’s development.
Boom Hawthorn recruit Emily Bates fought hard in a losing side, picking up 32 disposals including 24 contested, 11 tackles and 11 clearances.
The Hawks looked dangerous running out the game in a spirited finish but ultimately had left themselves too much ground to make up.
Fellows back with the flight
After fading against Brisbane the week before, the Hawks needed some early vigor, and Tahlia Fellows wasted no time in motivating her teammates.With little concern for the Saints defenders standing by to sabotage him, Fellows ran back with the flight of a ball sailing into Hawthorn’s forward pocket. In order to make the set shot and give the Hawks their first major, the 23-year-old reeled in a courageously contested mark.
Defensive desperation
Teenage Saint The defender was outnumbered 1-3 as the ball drifted towards Hawthorn’s goal midway through the second term, placing Alice Burke in an undesirable situation. The three hawks were poised to swoop when the foot race began.Aine McDonagh, a forward for Hawthorn, merely needed to squeeze a handball out for the Hawks to almost certainly score after collecting the ball. She tried to avoid it, but Burke was there behind her and laid a perfect tackle to the pleasure of the home fans and maybe the coaches’ box.
Up next
At 1.05 pm AEDT on Saturday at RSEA Park, St. Kilda hosts the Greater Western Sydney Giants in a crucial chance to make it four victories in a row. At 6.45 p.m. AEST on Friday, the Hawks go up north to take on Richmond in a tropical test at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns.
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