The AFLW finals race was blown wide open this morning after the Adelaide Crows were shocked 14-16 at home to the Melbourne Demons in a week seven showdown at Norwood Oval in Adelaide.
There are only three matches of the regular season remaining ahead of next month’s finals series, and the Crows will likely have to win all of three to finish in the top four and secure a double chance of winning the premiership in December.
Donegal footballer, Amy Boyle-Carr came off the interchange bench to collect two kicks and one mark for the below-par Crows.
Forkhill woman Amy Mulholland, who plays as a small forward for the Fremantle Dockers, is the only other Ulster-born player in the top eight on the season ladder.
Shane O’Neills and Armagh footballer Blaithin Mackin who has been sidelined with a calf injury since round five is not expected to return for another one to two weeks which could prove pivotal to Melbourne’s finals hopes. They are only one win outside the top eight and have a number of injured players set to return before finals.
Richmond in third, Adelaide in fourth, and Melbourne in fifth are all level on points separated only on percentage which underscores that there is no margin for error in the race for a top four finish.
In other news, Donegal footballer Tanya Kennedy was fined $AUD$100 (£51) for her part in an ugly three-quarter time melee between Essendon and Sydney Swans players last week in which a total of seven players from both sides were also handed fines.
On a happier note, former Donegal captain Niamh McLaughlin has stunned her Gold Coast Suns teammates during a training drill when she showcased her impressive ‘Keepy Uppy’ skills using an AFL ball (Sherrin).
