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North Melbourne secured the minor premiership but it was Hawthorn who were splashed with cash during the final round of the AFLW home-and-away season.
A SNAPSHOT OF WEEK 10 OF THE AFLW SEASON
THEY SAID IT: "For us we've finished right at the front of the grid, which is really pleasing, and now a totally new season begins - the finals." - North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker after his team secured the minor premiership.
THE MOMENT: Hawthorn's hopes of securing the McClelland Trophy and the $1 million that goes with it were fading when Richmond sneaked out to a three-point lead in the final quarter. But Mikayla Williamson's running goal from a tough angle - after playing on from a mark - helped spark a run of four consecutive majors for Hawthorn on the way to the 23-point victory. Port Adelaide forward Gemma Houghton's match-winning set shot with just one minute remaining against GWS was also a highlight of the round.
STAT THAT MATTERS: 315.4. That was North Melbourne's percentage at the end of the home-and-away season. Their undefeated campaign, which featured 10 wins and a draw, lifted them to their maiden AFLW minor premiership.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Brisbane's Dakota Davidson could be in trouble for her sling tackle in the Lions' 27-point win over St Kilda, but she'll probably escape with a fine.
TALKING POINT: It wasn't just Essendon who were rapt with their Saturday night win over Carlton. No finalist was looking forward to playing Melbourne, who had won five of their past six matches. The Bombers' win meant the Demons finished ninth, half a game outside the top eight. Essendon will face the fifth-placed Fremantle in an elimination final on Saturday at Fremantle Oval. The last time Essendon won a final was when their men's team beat Melbourne by five points in an elimination battle in 2004.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Mim Strom. The Fremantle ruck all but guaranteed herself an All-Australian berth with 30 disposals, 30 hitouts, nine marks and eight clearances in Sunday's win over the Bulldogs. Special mention to GWS captain Bec Beeson, whose game-high 25 possessions and last-quarter goal almost lifted her side to a shock victory over Port Adelaide.
INJURIES: B Toogood (Ess, ankle), G Pound (Carl, head), S Wright (NM, leg), N McLaughlin (GC, ankle), M. Scholz (PA, calf), A. Dowrick (PA, soreness), S. Conway (Bris, shoulder), D Carruthers (WB, head)
WHAT'S NEXT: It's finals time! The action kicks off on Friday night when North Melbourne host Adelaide at Ikon Park in a qualifying final. Fremantle host Essendon in an elimination final on Saturday, with second-placed Hawthorn taking on Brisbane in a qualifying final at Ikon Park on Sunday. The weekend concludes with Port Adelaide facing Richmond at Alberton Oval on Sunday.
