
Giants drop two but coach sees positive signs
Zorzi, 17, racked-up 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, and three steals in Saturday's 87-75 loss against Lakeside.
She backed it up the following day with 15 points in a 91-69 loss against Perth.
Goldfields led by 12 points in the third quarter of Saturday's clash, but an imposing opposition front court of Teige Morrell and Sam Lubcke tipped the scales in Lakeside's favour.
On Sunday, the Giants led at quarter-time and were still in the hunt during the final term before the Redbacks pulled away.
'We showed some great signs in both games,' Giants coach Jaymi Worthington said.
'Some foul trouble in the Redbacks' game cost us with our two talls fouling out — Kate (Sidebottom) and Josephine Odude, and we ran out of steam in the latter stages which was a bit disappointing.
'Against Lakeside, they once again had two very dominant bigs that meant our girls were also in foul trouble (and) we lacked that extra rotation, I suppose — when the girls were really gassed and just couldn't hold on.
'But there's positive signs and it was great being able to compete against two quality sides on the road.'
Ahead of her 18th birthday in October and already approaching the 40-game mark, Zorzi is ranked second on the Giants for points, assists and blocked shots in what Worthington said a was a major tick for the club's junior development program.
Ladder:
Cougars (4-0); Eagles (4-0); Hawks (3-1); Redbacks (3-1); Tigers (3-1); Senators (3-1); Magic (3-2); Lightning (2-3); Giants (1-3); Flames (1-3); Slammers (1-4); Wolves (0-4); Suns (0-5).

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Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Perth Now
Lift-off for new-look Bombers in win over Giants
Essendon's new AFLW era has started, with a quartet of debutants firing the Bombers to a 56-point win over GWS. Unveiling five new faces at Manuka Oval on Saturday, the Bombers slammed through seven straight goals to set up a 13.7 (85) to 3.11 (29) victory - their highest ever score in the AFLW. A two-goal haul by Bombers co-captain Bonnie Toogood was matched by draftee Holly Ridewood and ex-Port forward Maggie MacLachlan. Last year's No.9 pick Grace Belloni and former GWS player Courtney Murphy kicked a goal apiece, while fellow draftee Taya Chambers made her debut in defence. Maddy Prespakis (one goal, 26 disposals, seven clearances) was also busy for Essendon in the engine room, taking advantage of GWS stalwart Alyce Parker's absence. Parker was leading the Giants with 15 disposals and five clearances before an ankle injury forced her out at halftime. Tarni Evans was on-song early for the home side and could have finished with more than the opening goal after taking three inside-50 marks in the first quarter. But the Giants lost the lead through their wastefulness, trailing by two points at quarter-time. GWS young gun Zarlie Goldsworthy had uncharacteristically sprayed her set shot from the top of the goal square, before Courtney Murphy returned serve to launch Essendon ahead. The Bombers then broke out to a lead of 26 points when Ridewood, pick No.12 in last year's draft, kicked two straight goals. Evans again flaunted her aerial prowess just before the main break, but could not shake the yips, netting just two points from two set shots. Irish sensation Eilish O'Dowd almost gave away a goal to the Bombers after sprinting towards the wrong end of the corridor. O'Dowd had only just landed back in Australia last Friday after winning the 2025 All-Ireland title with Dublin. After Toogood opened the third quarter with her second major, Giants forward Georgia Garnett responded to end the home side's goalscoring drought. Evans finally got reward for effort and slotted her second goal before the final change, but GWS could not lift for a fourth-quarter comeback. In the end, Tarni finished with 2.3, while Giants skipper Bec Beeson had 19 disposals and seven clearances.

The Australian
14 hours ago
- The Australian
AFL live ladder predictor: Every club's finals chances during round 23
It is officially ladder predictor season. Fans of the nine teams in contention for the finals have all spent hours working on permutations, and there is still two weeks to go. We've run the rule over every fixture and delivered the verdict on how the final AFL ladder will look here. But how do you think it will all shape up? Catch the run home and have a go at our ladder predictor below. Check back here across the weekend as we update every team's possible scenario as it changes live. THE RUN HOME Gold Coast had a chance to sew up a top four position and plan an assault on the top two, but that's all up in the air now. The Giants came and conquered, all but securing a finals campaign in a huge upset that shakes up the ladder. Brisbane locked up its own future with an upset of its own over the Dockers, with Fremantle now in a perilous position where they could miss finals. It is becoming increasingly likely that there will be a 15-win team miss finals for the first time in the league's history. This page will be updated throughout the weekend's games to show exactly who is favoured to miss the cut at any given point. Adelaide Crows were the first to lock in finals. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos/via Getty Images 1. ADELAIDE Played: 21, Won: 16, Lost: 5, Percentage: 142.4 RUN HOME R23: Collingwood, AO (Saturday night) R24: North Melbourne, Marvel (Saturday afternoon) A lot of focus on the stand-alone blockbuster against Collingwood, at home, on Saturday night. If the Crows triumph, they should skate to a minor premiership and clear premiership favouritism as the in-form dominant side. A loss opens the door for other sides to sneak past. Best Case Scenario: 1st Win against Magpies and Kangaroos OR win against Magpies or Kangaroos AND Swans beat Cats or Hawks beat Lions Worst Case Scenario: 5th Lose against Magpies and Kangaroos Expected Finish: 1st Win against Magpies and Kangaroos OR win against Magpies or Kangaroos AND Swans beat Cats or Hawks beat Lions Just one win should be enough to secure a minor premiership, two absolutely locks it in. But if the Swans beat the Cats, the Crows can't get caught. The Lions secured a finals berth after their win over the Dockers. Picture: Getty Images 2. BRISBANE Played: 22, Won: 15, Drawn: 1, Lost: 6, Percentage: 114.3 RUN HOME R24: Hawthorn, Gabba (Sunday night) Brisbane has secured its immediate future with a win over Fremantle – the Lions will play finals. A win over Hawthorn in round 24 could see them edge inside the top four, which is a huge result given the injury woes in recent weeks. Losing to Hawthorn would result in a home elimination final; potentially even against Hawthorn. Best Case Scenario: 1st Win against Hawks AND Crows lose to Magpies and Kangaroos AND Cats lose to Swans and Tigers AND Magpies lose to Demons Worst Case Scenario: 8th Lose against Hawks AND Giants beat Saints AND Dockers beat Bulldogs Expected Finish: 4th Locked up a finals appearance with a dominant win over Fremantle on Friday. Now a lot relies on the win over Hawthorn next Sunday. We're still on Jeremy Cameron 100 watch. Picture: Getty Images 3. GEELONG Played: 21, Won: 15, Lost: 6, Percentage: 139.8 RUN HOME R23: Sydney, SCG (Sunday afternoon) R24: Richmond, MCG (Saturday afternoon) Sydney at the SCG could be a tricky fixture to venture through, but if the Cats escape victorious then a top-two finish beckons. A minor premiership is not out of reach, but it would take a Collingwood win over Adelaide and a perfect end to the season – with enough of a margin to overturn the small percentage difference. Patrick Dangerfield feeds Jeremy Cameron a goal Best Case Scenario: 1st Win against Swans and Tigers AND Crows lose to Magpies or Kangaroos, with a 2.6% turnaround Worst Case Scenario: 8th Lose to Swans and Tigers AND Hawks beat Lions AND Giants beat Saints Expected Finish: 2nd Win against Swans and Tigers and have expected winners from other matches A win over Sydney opens up a shot at the minor premiership, but only if the Crows slip up. But lose to the Swans and the Cats could slide outside the top four. Suns losing to Giants also firms up a top two finish There's still a lot to play out for the Magpies. Picture: Getty Images 4. COLLINGWOOD Played: 21, Won: 15, Lost: 6, Percentage: 124.2 RUN HOME R23: Adelaide, AO (Saturday night) R24: Melbourne, MCG (Friday night) Collingwood's ladder position almost completely hinges on the eight-point clash against Adelaide. Upset the Crows on the road and they'll lock in top four – and could even make a run for top two. But a loss would make the round 24 clash with Melbourne a tantalising fixture for neutral fans; win they'll be watching Brisbane v Hawthorn to determine if they sneak into the top four. Lose and the Pies will be on the road for an elimination final against one of GWS, Fremantle, Brisbane or the Bulldogs. Best Case Scenario: 1st Win against Crows and Demons AND have Suns lose to Power AND have Cats lose to Swans AND have Crows lose to Kangaroos Worst Case Scenario: 8th Lose both games AND have Giants beat Saints AND have Hawks beat Lions AND have Bulldogs beat Dockers Expected Finish: 5th Lose to Crows but beat Demons and have expected winners from other matches The Suns' loss to the Giants on Saturday has really opened the door for a top-four finish. They can either replace the Lions if they lose to the Hawks, or the Suns if their percentage gets overturned in the final round. But the Pies are locked into finals - their percentage is too good to overturn. GWS could make the top four or miss the finals. Picture: Getty Images 5. GWS GIANTS Played: 22, Won: 15, Lost: 7, Percentage: 115.5 RUN HOME R24: St Kilda, ENGIE (Sunday afternoon) The Giants will be playing finals after their upset over the Suns. But while they can keep moving up the ladder, an elimination final beckons - very likely a home final if they knock off the Saints next week. Best Case Scenario: 4th Beat Saints AND have Suns lose to either Power or Bombers AND have Hawks lose both games Worst Case Scenario: 8th Lose to Saints Expected Finish: 6th Beat Saints The Giants stamped their ticket to the finals with the dominant upset win over the Suns. Even if they lose to the Saints in round 24, they are locked into finals. A home final beckons if they win next week. The show is not over just yet for Nat Fyfe. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/6. FREMANTLE Played: 22, Won: 15, Lost, 7, Percentage: 108.6 RUN HOME R24: Western Bulldogs, Marvel (Sunday afternoon) Get ready for a classic 'round 24 elimination final' for Fremantle. The Dockers had a real chance to lock in a finals berth on Friday, but the loss to Brisbane could cost them a September appearance. They can still make the eight without winning next week, but it would take a whole lot of luck. Best Case Scenario: 4th Win against Bulldogs AND Cats lose to both Swans and Tigers AND Magpies lose to both Crows and Demons AND Lions beat Hawks Worst Case Scenario: 9th Lose to Bulldogs and have expected winners from other matches Expected Finish: 9th Lose to Bulldogs and have expected winners from other matches The Dockers' destiny is still in their hands - win and they're in. But lose and they miss out. A true Round 24 elimination final. The Suns are on the verge of their first finals campaign. Picture:7. GOLD COAST Played: 21, Won: 14, Lost: 7, Percentage: 121.2 RUN HOME R24: Port Adelaide, AO (Friday night) R24: Essendon, PFS (Wednesday night) Could the loss at home against the Giants be the moment in history we look back at? Surely the Suns don't miss finals from here, but the pressure is on to hold onto a double chance. Best Case Scenario: 3rd Win games against Power and Bombers AND have Lions lose to Hawks Worst Case Scenario: 9th Lose games against Power and Bombers Expected Finish: 3rd Win against Power and Bombers AND have Cats win against either Swans or Tigers A loss against the Giants has cost them a home qualifying final, but the Suns can still get a double chance - they just need to win out from here. The Hawks could still miss the eight. Picture: Getty Images 7. HAWTHORN Played: 21, Won: 14, Lost: 7, Percentage: 121.2 RUN HOME R23: Melbourne, MCG (Saturday twilight) R24: Brisbane, Gabba (Sunday night) The Hawks could become the first team in AFL history to miss finals with 15 wins results don't go their way. A win over Melbourne and a loss to Brisbane would leave Hawthorn vulnerable, especially if the Giants knock off the Suns. But two wins to finish the season will have the Hawks on the edge of the top four and would be dependent margins. Best Case Scenario: 4th Win both games AND have Magpies lose both games Worst Case Scenario: 9th Lose both games and have the expected winners from the other matches Expected Finish: 8th Beat Demons but lose to Lions, and have expected winners from the other matches The Giants beating the Suns means Hawthorn likely ends up at eighth, but a win against the Lions means they could jump right up the ladder. Dockers losing on Friday means one win will be enough to secure a finals spot. The Bulldogs' last game of the season will determine their fate. Picture: Getty Images 9. WESTERN BULLDOGS Played: 21, Won: 13, Lost: 8, Percentage: 135.4 RUN HOME R23: West Coast, Marvel (Sunday twilight) R24: Fremantle, Marvel (Sunday afternoon) Luke Beveridge needs to echo the mantra of Dory from Finding Nemo: 'Just keep s-winning.' Knocking off the Eagles is a start, but the Bulldogs will likely need to beat Fremantle in the final round to make the top 8. But their destiny is still in their own hands, their percentage is superior to those around them. Just keep winning. Best Case Scenario: 4th Win both games AND have Giants lose to Saints AND have Suns lose to either Power or Bombers Worst Case Scenario: 9th Lose both games, or lose one of their last two games AND have the Hawks beat either Demons or Lions Expected Finish: 7th Win both games and have the expected winners from other matches would lead to a 6th-place finish. The Bulldogs won't miss finals if they win their final two games, and would need results to go their way if they were to drop one of the two clashes. Round 24 v Fremantle could be an elimination final. Matthew Forrest AFL Chief of Staff Matthew Forrest is the AFL Chief of Staff for News Corp's national sports team. He has worked at News Corp since 2021 in a variety of sports journalism roles including at the Mackay Daily Mercury and the Geelong Advertiser. Previously, Matthew was the Chief Football Writer at the Geelong Advertiser until 2024, when he started in his current role. @mattforrest29 Matthew Forrest

News.com.au
4 days ago
- News.com.au
Reason why AFL WAG Paris Tier lost her sales job
The girlfriend of a professional athlete has revealed how she lost her job due to her rising profile on social media. Paris Tier, who is dating Greater Western Sydney Giants player Conor Stone, divulged on her WAG — Women and Goals podcast that her social media profile led to her being fired from her job. Ms Tier was working in sales merchandising, and part of her role led to her being contracted out at another businesses. At the time, she didn't have a lot of followers but her posts about what her life was like dating a professional athlete started to boost her profile. 'I started posting on TikTok a month into working this job, and I only had 2000 followers but my videos were averaging 30,000 views,' she told Ms Tier said she wasn't posting about her job, but about her relationship with Stone. She said it started off with mean comments, but things escalated when she posted a clip about an NRL player. After backlash, she deleted the video. 'I got a call from a colleague and she said, '[Our boss] has called me saying you can't work tomorrow because somebody has complained about your TikTok',' Ms Tier said. The AFL WAG was told the complaint was made not to her direct company, but the one that she was contracted to as part of her role. She asked the company's media and human resources if there were any issues with her social media, but neither department had any issues with the content. At the time, Ms Tier had annual leave planned due to a medical procedure so she went on two weeks worth of leave. 'I took the two weeks off because I needed this to calm down before I go back to work, because obviously not everyone loves social media, and if your boss read something that you did online they have to believe it in a way,' she said. 'I was a little bit disappointed because when I messaged [my boss] about it, she said it was nothing. She essentially lied to me.' During her time off, Ms Tier consulted an employment lawyer, received a probation update about why she 'wasn't the right fit for the role' and ultimately decided to leave the job. To this day, she has no idea where the complaint originated from or if it was even real. 'When this happened at work, I was in the state of mind of, 'Have I lost every opportunity to get a good job? Have I lost every opportunity to do a thing I love',' she recalled. 'And no, I haven't.' Ms Tier revealed she works in a completely new industry now, and really loves it, finding the workplace incredibly supportive. She said that contracts needed to highlight what issues they may have in regards to employee's social media presence, particularly as she never talked about the company online — barring the fact that it was on her LinkedIn profile. She said she hasn't added her latest workplace to her profile as she is scared it could happen again. Ms Tier added that there is a belief that many people in her position are unemployed. 'I don't think people realise, they see someone and think, 'Oh my god she's a stay-at-home mum, bet she doesn't have half a brain cell',' she said. 'That woman is 90 per cent of the time on maternity leave, or young enough to still be figuring out their life.' She said baseless assumptions about WAGs are 'not fair' and simply incorrect. 'People have assumptions because we don't post our work, but how can people post their work when individuals do something like this,' she said. 'It's not fair.'