Demons claim top spot as Cats maintain winning ways

Demons beat Blues by 34 points to claim top spot on AFLW ladder as Cats defeat MagpiesPosted Sat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:19pmSat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:19pmOlivia Purcell played an influential role in the Demons' win over the Blues. (Getty Images: Kelly Defina)In short:Melbourne remains undefeated following a 34-point victory over Carlton.The Demons' win came at a cost, with Georgia Gall leaving the field with an ankle injury.Geelong recorded its fifth straight win over the season after beating Collingwood by 41 points.Melbourne is the only unbeaten side after six rounds of the AFLW season, producing a statement 34-point win over Carlton at Casey Fields.But the Demons may count the cost of Saturday's 8.10 (58) to 3.6 (24) win after star forward Georgia Gall limped off in the third quarter with an ankle injury.A day after Hawthorn manufactured an upset to topple defending premiers North Melbourne, the Demons knew a win over the Blues would lift them into top spot on the ladder and establish a 6-0 (win-loss) start to their campaign.The Blues were spirited in the opening half, but Melbourne slotted four straight goals in the third quarter to set up the victory.Midfielder Olivia Purcell (26 disposals) was at the centre of the blitz, slotting two majors, while Jorja Livingstone scored on debut in the final quarter.Tyla Hanks (32 disposals, one goal) also excelled, but it came as Gall sustained her injury.It is the second consecutive loss for the Blues (4-2) and dents their top-four aspirations, although midfielder Claudia Whitfort was typically busy with 24 disposals.Cats in fifth straight winAishling Moloney produced a goal-of-the-year contender to help Geelong to a 14.6 (90) to 7.7 (49) triumph over Collingwood at Victoria Park.Knowing a victory would shore up their position inside the top eight, the Cats (5-1) were given a scare when the winless Magpies levelled scores minutes after the main break.But the visitors flicked a switch, finding six goals in an electrifying third quarter to take a 31-point lead into the final break.One of those majors was from Moloney, who booted the ball from halfway before it took a favourable flurry of bounces and crept into the goal.The Cats tightened the screws in the final quarter, keeping Collingwood goal-less to seal their fifth straight win.Midfielders Nina Morrison (30 disposals), Mikayla Bowen (29 disposals) and Georgie Prespakis (12 clearances) were prolific for the Cats, while Moloney and Chloe Scheer grabbed three and four majors respectively.While the loss kept the Magpies (0-6) winless, they enjoyed a highlight when half-forward Olivia Lewis booted a goal on her AFLW debut after shifting from Super Netball's Melbourne Mavericks to the Magpies.Lewis was a late call-up on Saturday morning because midfielder Bri Davey was ill.AAP