Sydney have booked a place in the AFLW semi-finals, defeating the Western Bulldogs by 29 points in a high-pressure clash at a windswept soggy Henson Park.
This yearโs leading goalkicker and star Swan Chloe Molly aided to her tally, banishing the Bulldogs โ who fought their way into finals for first the first time since 2022 โ back to the kennel by winning 7.4 (46) to 2.5 (17).
The Swans asserted their dominance from the opening bounce, kicking three consecutive goals in the first quarter and leaving the Bulldogs goalless. Ellie Blackburn lifted for the Dogs in the second with a goal, but a magnificent Tanya Kennedy laid a crucial tag on Isabelle Pritchard, shutting down the Dogโs scoring capacity.
When the siren blared, Swans placed raced to embrace each other, as loyal fans in red and white cheered on the boundary line, noticeably with inside-out umbrellas and soaked ponchos.
This year has been an undeniably tricky year for Sydney.
The womenโs program has copped collateral damage from the Pullman hotel scandal and Tom Papleyโs alleged drug offence, as some of the clubโs menโs players continue to make headlines.
But the Swansโ AFLW program has remained focused, drawing in record-breaking breaking crowds at Henson Park and continuing their finals campaign to book their spot in a semi-final against Geelong.
The Cats feel agonisingly short in their qualifying final against Melbourne on Saturday, in a thrilling AFLW finals finish.
Later this afternoon, Gold Coast will face Hawthorn at Peoples First Stadium in Queensland.
After AFLW legend Erin Phillip joined the Suns as general manager of womenโs football, the Suns have had a sensational turnaround. In 2025, they claimed the wooden spoon, but this year, they sit in fifth place and will battle for a spot in the semis.
The Hawks have consistently made AFLW finals over the last few years, but are yet to record a finals win.
More to come
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Hannah Kennelly is an award-winning sports reporter and Formula 1 writer at The Age.Connect via email.From our partners
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