AFLW qualifying final: Melbourne Demons defeat Geelong Cats in dramatic comeback

Consensus Summary

The Melbourne Demons staged a dramatic late comeback to defeat the Geelong Cats 8.8 (56) to 8.4 (52) in their AFLW qualifying final on Saturday at Princes Park, securing a spot in the preliminary finals. The match, delayed by 10 minutes due to lightning threats, saw Geelong dominate early, leading by 22 points at halftime and twice extending their advantage to 28 points in the third quarter. However, Melbourne’s Liv Purcell and Tyla Hanks (a 100-gamer) rallied their team, with the Demons kicking four goals to three in the third term to narrow the gap to 12 points. The final quarter became a thriller, with Melbourne scoring the last five goals—including three in the final term—to clinch the victory. The turning point came when Chloe Scheer’s set shot from 20 meters went wide with 15 seconds left, sealing Melbourne’s 4-point win.

The match carried added significance as it marked the first time Geelong coach Mick Stinear faced his former club since leaving Melbourne at the end of the 2022 premiership season. Both teams had strong performances, with Geelong’s Georgia Prespakis excelling in the first half, while Melbourne’s midfield duo of Purcell and Hanks orchestrated the late surge. The Demons’ comeback was fueled by clutch goals, including a point-blank snap by Paxy Paxman in the final minutes, which ABC and 7NEWS both highlight as the decisive moment. Melbourne’s resilience contrasted sharply with Geelong’s late collapse, particularly after leading by 28 points in the third quarter.

Key figures in the match included Melbourne’s Alyssa Bannan, whose accurate snaps in the final quarter set up the Demons’ late charge, and Geelong’s Prespakis, who was best afield in the first half but struggled to contain Melbourne’s momentum. Both outlets agree that the game was a testament to Melbourne’s fighting spirit, with the team trailing for much of the match before turning it around in the final term. Geelong’s Chloe Scheer, a reliable goalkicker, became the focal point of the defeat after missing a golden opportunity with 15 seconds remaining. Her missed shot was described by Geelong’s Becky Webster as a moment that ‘would have gone through every other day,’ underscoring the heartbreak of the loss.

While both articles agree on the core details of the match, discrepancies arise in specific figures and locations. ABC reports Geelong’s final score as 8.4 (52), whereas 7NEWS lists it as 8.4 (32), a significant difference in total points. Additionally, ABC states that North Melbourne’s match against Carlton took place at Princes Park, while 7NEWS places it at Ikon Park. These inconsistencies, though minor, highlight the need for careful verification in sports reporting. 7NEWS also notes that Geelong’s Kate Surman faced video review for contact with Bannan, and Nina Morrison was briefly removed from the field in the final quarter—a detail omitted by ABC.

With Melbourne advancing to the preliminary finals, the team will now enjoy a week off, while Geelong’s path to the next round depends on the outcome of the Sydney vs. Western Bulldogs elimination final on Sunday. The match’s dramatic finish has already sparked discussions about Melbourne’s resilience and Geelong’s late struggles, with both outlets framing it as a stunning upset. As the AFLW season progresses, the focus will shift to Melbourne’s preparations for their next challenge, while Geelong will look to regroup and address the issues exposed in their qualifying final defeat.