SWFLW 2023: Close contests across weekend of women’s matches

Despite being kept scoreless throughout the second half, Donnybrook held on to defeat Carey Park 2.5 (17) to 1.6 (12) at VC Mitchell Park on Sunday.

The Dons were quick to drive the ball forward and build a lead with goals via Lacey Holdsworth and Shelley Hull, leaving Carey Park striving to win back territory.

However, a goal from Kirryn Williams during the late stages of the second quarter brought the Panthers into the contest.

As both sides mounted the pressure on one another, scoring opportunities were few and far between as a result.

After gradually building momentum throughout the second half, Carey Park had a chance to snatch victory from the Dons but missed with the last kick of the game, which allowed Donnybrook to hold on.

At Dunsborough Playing Fields, 2022 grand finalists Bunbury held off the fast-finishing Sharks 2.2 (14) to 1.3 (9), who again displayed how far they have progressed as a team over the past year.

When both sides met last season in Dunsborough’s inaugural women’s clash at the venue, the Bulldogs won by 127 points.

On Saturday at a bleak Brunswick Oval, Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault’s Claire Brown inspired her side to a 2.7 (19) to 0.1 (1) win over Eaton.

With controlling the football extremely difficult due to a howling wind, the match was laden with repeat stoppages.

Although the Lions always appeared to always have control of the game, Eaton hung around — however, they struggled to curb the brilliance of Brown and reliable utility Riley Brine throughout the afternoon.