Sydney Swans secure AFLW semi-final spot with dominant win over Western Bulldogs
This year’s leading goalkicker and star Swan Chloe Molly added to her tally, as Sydney banished the Western Bulldogs back to the kennel.
In an elimination final, the Sydney Swans emerged victorious against the Western Bulldogs by 29 points at Henson Park on Sunday. League-leading goalkicker Chloe Molloy played a crucial role, joining the match as a surprise defender, which proved decisive for the Swans. Molloy contributed one goal, 12 interceptions, and 14 contested possessions in the wet-weather showdown.
Tanya Kennedy, the Swans' co-captain, also played an essential part, locking down Bulldogs midfielder Isabelle Pritchard, who returned from a knee injury with 14 disposals and three clearances. Ellie Blackburn, another returning Bulldogs midfielder, led the visitors with 29 touches and a goal. The Swans started strongly, scoring four unanswered goals to build a 24-point lead, with captain Lucy McEvoy netting the opening goal just 20 seconds into the match thanks to a long bomb in strong winds.
Despite the Bulldogs' efforts, they could only muster one point in the second quarter, with Molloy again limiting their damage with her defensive work. The final turned into a prolonged struggle after torrential rain arrived in the third quarter, but the Swans managed to maintain a 25-point lead and secure their place in the away semi-final, with a dedicated crowd of 4,325 fans in attendance.
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