AFLW exports | GV players falter in first week of finals, Toogood selected in All Australian squad

By Zac Standish

Nov 8, 2022

In the thick of it: Grace Egan gets a quick kick away in Richmond's qualifying final loss to Brisbane on Saturday. Photo: AAP/Jason O'Brien

AFLW finals action kicked off at the weekend with four of the region’s exports taking to the field as the race for premiership glory began to really heat up.

After securing a top-four spot in dramatic fashion the previous week, Richmond embarked on its first qualifying final on Saturday afternoon, with Shepparton’s Grace Egan a pivotal piece to the Tigers’ hopes.

But coming up against minor premier Brisbane was going to be no easy task and, while they were able to put up a good fight, Egan’s Tigers were overawed in the finish going down by 17 points at Metricon Stadium.

A lapse in the second and third quarters would prove the difference in the game as the Lions piled on four unanswered goals to create a lead they would not relinquish.

Playing on the wing and through the midfield Egan was her ever-reliable self in the losing effort, collecting 13 disposals and laying four tackles.

Despite the loss Richmond’s season continues this weekend as it hosts North Melbourne in a do-or-die semi-final at Punt Road Oval on Saturday afternoon.

It was heartbreak for Benalla’s Becky Webster, Echuca’s Annabel Johnson and Kyabram’s Julia Crockett-Grills on Saturday night, as their Geelong side fell to North Melbourne by two points in a gripping elimination final at GMHBA Stadium.

A tight contest from start to finish, the Cats’ inability to finish in front of the sticks would prove costly, producing a return of 1.8 to North’s 2.4.

Rising to the fore: Echuca’s Annabel Johnson was excellent for Geelong on Saturday night. Photo: AAP/Hamish Blair

One of the Cats’ most exciting young talents, Johnson rose to the finals stage by collecting 15 disposals, taking four marks and laying three tackles in what was arguably her best performance of the season.

Webster was solid in her efforts through the midfield, winning 12 disposals and laying three tackles.

While Crockett-Grills provided crucial pressure in the forward half and finished with six disposals and a tackle.

Physicality: Becky Webster applies a tackle on Kangaroos star Jasmine Garner. Photo: AAP Image/Hamish Blair

Despite not featuring in the finals series, Mansfield’s Bonnie Toogood still made headlines this week as she capped an excellent first season at Essendon with selection in the AFLW All Australian squad.

Taking a lead role in the Bombers’ inaugural AFLW season, Toogood was a powerful presence in the forward 50 booting seven goals while averaging 13.3 disposals, 3.5 marks and 3.2 tackles from her 10 games.