A SNAPSHOT OF ROUND ONE OF THE 2021 AFLW SEASON

THEY SAID IT: “Alicia (Eva), the team captain, and our head coach Alan McConnell, were in the apartment, trying to console me. I was beside myself with anger. Disillusionment. I felt so totally disheartened by the outcome.” – GWS’ Brid Stack, who is recovering from a fractured neck, was shattered after Adelaide star Ebony Marinoff’s three-match ban for forceful front-on contact was overturned on appeal.

STATS THAT MATTER: Premiership fancies North Melbourne recorded the greatest winning margin in their history as they crushed Geelong by 62 points. The Cats were kept to their lowest ever score, 1.3 (9), as the Kangaroos showed no mercy to the hosts at GMHBA Stadium.

PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Erin Phillips, the dual league best-and-fairest winner, has still got it. Adelaide’s matchwinner is back to her best after missing most of last season in recovering from an ACL injury. Phillips kicked two goals and had a game-high 23 possessions in the Crows’ demolition of West Coast.

KEY MOMENT: All 14 teams paid tribute to former GWS player Jacinda Barclay, who died in October after a mental health battle, by observing a minute’s silence before every game.

TALKING POINT: AFL Media Michael Willson’s snap of Western Bulldogs coach, and St Kilda legend, Nathan Burke embracing daughter Alice after the 18-year-old made her AFLW debut in the Saints’ nail-biting victory at RSEA Park is already a contender for footy photo of the year.

KEY INJURIES: Anne Hatchard (Ade, calf), Annise Bradfield (GC, knee)

WHAT’S NEXT: Two-time premiers Adelaide host Fremantle, who were unbeaten in 2020 before the season was cancelled, in a potential early grand final preview next Sunday. North Melbourne’s clash with St Kilda will be the only other battle of undefeated teams in round two.