Collingwood’s VFLW team has scored its first win over the season, upsetting reining premiers Hawthorn by 26 points at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Magpies coach Penny Cula-Reid credited the win to her players’ ability to carry out their leaders’ instructions.
“It was a real learning game for us when you look back on the game from round one,” Cula-Reid told collingwoodfc.com.au.
“It’s really nice to know that when you ask a player to do something, they’re really compliant and that they action that.”
The Magpies were dominant from the start with their key weapon being their damaging defensive pressure.
Stacey Livingstone and Ruby Schleicher were outstanding in the backline, limiting the Hawks’ ability to get the ball inside 50 in the opening half.
Jordyn Allen was first to hit the scoreboard, with fellow AFLW stars Jaimee Lambert and Katie Lynch soon to follow.
The Pies kept the Hawks goaless in the second term while also kicking two goals of their own, with majors to Paige Nash and Lambert handing the home side a 28-point lead at the long break.
The second half was more even, with Collingwood kicking 2.6 and Hawthorn managing three straight goals.
Two of the Hawks’ goals were kicked by Emily Gilder in the dying minutes of the contest.
For the Pies, it was the perfect debut for Kate Newton and Irish recruit Aisling Curley, who both managed impressive goals.
But the win came at a price with Kristy Stratton going down early in the second with a knee complaint.
Youngster Ally Bild also failed to return after half time due to suspected fractured hand.
The Pies now prepare to travel down the highway to face Geelong at GHMBA Stadium next Saturday.
“Every week is different and we’ll have a different outfit for that game just like every team,” Cula-Reid said.
“I think it’s just really important that we focus on what we are trying to execute week-by-week.”
Collingwood 3.0 6.0 7.3 8.6 (54)
Hawthorn 1.1 1.2 2.2 4.2 (26)
Goals – Collingwood: Lambert 2, Allen, Lynch, Nash, Newton, Shevlin, Curley
Hawthorn: Gilder 3, Perera
Injuries –Stratton (knee), Bild (hand)
