AFL Now: Latest injury updates, teams news and round 7 preview on Thursday
Welcome to AFL Now — your home for the latest breaking news from the world of footy.
Anzac Eve footy is not too far away, with the Demons and Tigers set top open round 7 at the MCG.
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Originally published as AFL Now: Latest injury updates, teams news and round 7 preview on Thursday
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West Australian
7 hours ago
- West Australian
Giants women run Willetton close but ultimately fall short
Goldfields Giants women's coach Jaymi Worthington has challenged her players to become a more well-rounded group capable of better sharing the load, following Saturday's 80-69 NBL1 West loss against Willetton. The Giants pushed the fifth-placed visitors for most of the game but with the scores level at three-quarter-time, the Tigers took charge in the run home, 21-10. It was the local squad's seventh consecutive defeat after Nici Gilday (24 points; four rebounds; five assists; one blocked shot) and Erin Antosh (21 points; 13 rebounds; three assists) carried the vast majority of the workload. Alongside the team's 80 points, Willetton's starters also racked-up a combined 29 rebounds and 19 assists. With a 2-10 win-loss record, the Giants are tied with the South West Slammers, but hold 11th spot on percentage. Goldfields led by a point at quarter-time and by six points during the second period. 'Our bench players contributed quite well, but we need at least one other person to step-up and score in double-figures,' Worthington said. 'They (Willetton) had four players (score) in double-figures and we needed that (because) their defence obviously started to double-team Nici and Erin. 'It means we need other players to go to in those circumstances. 'In those last five minutes, from a coaching perspective as well, we needed to adjust quicker by making sure we had other options. 'The bottom line is that we need other players to step-up and spread the scoring more.' Goldfields remain three games outside the top-eight. 'Willetton have a very strong team and it's a skill, learning how to win,' Worthington said. 'That's all it is — having that belief that we can (beat top sides). 'But the reality was that Willetton were able to convert and close-out the game. 'I feel we're on the cusp of that, but we just need to keep pushing and getting better.' Ladder Cougars (11-0); Senators (9-2); Redbacks (9-3); Eagles (7-3); Tigers (7-4); Magic (7-6); Flames (5-5); Lightning (5-6); Hawks (4-6); Wolves (3-8); Giants (2-10); Slammers (2-10); Suns (1-9).
Perth Now
7 hours ago
- Perth Now
Roar straight to the top
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West Australian
8 hours ago
- West Australian
High-flying Magpies won't shift AFL finals focus
Craig McRae's focus on simply qualifying for the AFL finals won't shift despite Collingwood surging six points clear on top of the ladder ahead of their mid-season bye. The Magpies head to a well-earned break with an enviable 11-2 record, having claimed a fifth-straight win in an epic King's Birthday clash with Melbourne. McRae's men could hardly be in a better position in a campaign that started with accusations they were too old and too slow after a first-up thumping from GWS. But the 2023 premiership coach won't be tempted to alter his ambitions heading into the second half of the season. "We're in this phase of qualifying and there's no other thing we're doing at the moment," McRae said after his side's 11.6 (72) to 10.11 (71) victory over Melbourne. "There's no bigger outcome than just getting enough wins to play finals. "We're all in the same (boat) and today was a really good result because the opposition were very, very good." McRae conceded the win over Melbourne wasn't overly pretty after watching his side cough up a 20-point third-quarter lead. The Demons hit the front briefly in the final term, when they finally began to take advantage of their ascendancy at the coalface. Dan McStay's late goal put Collingwood back in front before Dees duo Max Gawn and Koltyn Tholstrup missed chances to snatch the game away in the dying stages. "They're probably in there thinking they let one slip because all the numbers suggest they dominated phases of the game, particularly the contest," McRae said. "The contest was enormous but we found a way to win and that's what we do at the moment." Collingwood can further press their claims for an important top-two finish with three straight games against bottom-half teams - St Kilda, West Coast and Carlton - on return from the bye. Brayden Maynard (foot) could come back against the Saints, with Jordan De Goey (achilles) and Lachie Schultz (hamstring) also set to play roles in the second half of the season. The biggest flashpoint of Monday's match perhaps came after the final siren, when Demons duo Max Gawn and Steven May clashed. With less than a minute left, Gawn's miscued kick after a mark in the back pocket went straight to Collingwood's Will Hoskin-Elliott to confirm the result. May angrily approached Gawn on the final siren. The captain also made his feelings clear before pushing May away. "Two competitors, frustrated - two leaders (who) have an incredibly strong relationship, obviously disappointed with the outcome," said Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin.
