The Melbourne Demons claimed the top spot on the AFLW ladder following a crucial 34-point victory over the Carlton Blues at Casey Fields. The 8.10 (58) to 3.6 (24) triumph extends Melbourne’s record to 6-0, leaving them as the competition’s sole undefeated side.
Melbourne Grabs AFLW Top Spot After Defeating Carlton
The Demons secured their sixth win of the campaign on a windy and sunny afternoon, pulling away in the third term after a tight first half that featured four lead changes. Debutant Jorja Livingstone sealed the result late in the fourth quarter with an electric 30-meter drop punt that pushed the margin to 32 points.
Midfielder Olivia Purcell starred for Melbourne with two goals and 26 disposals, while teammate Tyla Hanks contributed a game-high 32 touches and a goal. For the Blues, Dayna Finn recorded 20 disposals and a goal, and Claudia Whitfort led her side with 24 touches. The defeat drops Carlton to a 4-2 record following consecutive losses to North Melbourne and the Demons.
The victory came at a physical cost for Melbourne, with tall players Georgia Campbell and Georgia Gall sustaining injuries. Campbell copped an arm to the throat in a ruck contest during the final seconds, while Gall rolled her ankle. Both players face fitness tests ahead of a blockbuster clash against the 5-1 North Melbourne Kangaroos.
Hawthorn Ends North Melbourne’s Historic 32-Game Winning Streak
Hawthorn delivered a stunning upset on Friday night in Cairns, defeating North Melbourne by seven points to snap the longest winning streak in VFL, AFL, and AFLW history at 32 games. The Hawks triumphed 4.8 (32) to 3.7 (25) in blustery conditions in Cairns.
https://x.com/aflwomens/status/2101172733115523363
Lucy Wales kicked the sealer for Hawthorn with a long-range snap in the final minutes, lifting her side to a famous victory. Jasmine Fleming starred in the midfield, stepping up in the absence of captain Emily Bates. Jacquline Dupuy added a crucial goal and played a vital role connecting the midfield and forward line in front of her hometown Cairns crowd.
The defeat marked North Melbourne’s first loss since the 2023 Grand Final, halting a streak that began after the 2023 Grand Final. The Kangaroos missed veteran players Libby Birch, Emma Kearney, and Kate Shierlaw, leaving the side visibly rattled by Hawthorn’s relentless defensive pressure.
Geelong Dominates Collingwood in High-Scoring Win
Geelong secured a 41-point victory over a winless Collingwood side, winning 14.6 (90) to 7.7 (49) behind a dominant display from Chloe Scheer and Georgie Prespakis. Scheer booted four goals, while Prespakis tallied 27 disposals and 13 clearances.
The match featured a historic opening quarter that yielded nine goals, tying the record for the most ever scored in an AFLW opening term. Collingwood played its highest-scoring game of 2026 despite missing Brianna Davey due to illness. Collingwood players also honored teammate Mischa Barwon, who was recently ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL, by forming an ‘M’ shape during goal celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the new leaders of the AFLW competition?
The Melbourne Demons jumped to the top of the table at 6-0 following a 34-point win over Carlton.
https://x.com/aflwomens/status/2101154797726392675
Which team ended North Melbourne’s winning streak?
Hawthorn defeated North Melbourne by seven points in Cairns, bringing the Kangaroos’ record-breaking 32-game winning streak to an end.
What was the margin in the Hawthorn versus North Melbourne match?
Hawthorn defeated North Melbourne 4.8 (32) to 3.7 (25), securing a seven-point upset victory.
Want to stay up to date with all the latest AFLW news, match results, and ladder changes? Subscribe to our newsletter or explore our site for more in-depth sports coverage.