Saints Score Just One Point, Essendon Pull Off Amazing Comeback

In a shocking AFLW round, St Kilda managed to score just one point — the lowest score in the club's history — as the Western Bulldogs won by 30 points in Ballarat on Saturday. Meanwhile, Essendon pulled off a stunning comeback win over GWS to earn their first victory of the season. Both games were full of big moments, tough conditions, and turning points that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

The game in Ballarat was played in very difficult weather. Rain fell sideways and strong winds made it hard for both teams to kick accurately. Even so, the Bulldogs managed three goals and 13 behinds to win the match comfortably.

St Kilda's only score of the entire game was a single behind, kicked in the last 90 seconds. This made it the lowest score ever recorded by the Saints in an AFLW game. Without that late score, St Kilda would have finished with zero points — something called a 'bagel' in football slang.

For the Bulldogs, Rylie Wilcox, Sarah Hartwig, and Cleo Buttifant each kicked goals. Isabelle Pritchard was the standout player, collecting 35 disposals and six clearances in the cold and wet conditions. Her energy and hard work helped drive the Bulldogs to a comfortable win.

St Kilda remains the only winless team in the AFLW this season. Ashleigh Richards was the only Saint to register a score, saving her team from the embarrassment of finishing with nothing on the scoreboard. It was a very tough day for the club and its supporters.

In the earlier game at Henson Park, Essendon defeated GWS by eight points in a match that looked like it was going the other way for most of the afternoon. GWS jumped out to a 25-point lead at the start of the third quarter and looked set to record their second win of the season. But Essendon had other ideas.

Star midfielder Madison Prespakis took control in the third quarter and almost single-handedly turned the game around. She collected 13 disposals, six contested possessions, three clearances, and kicked a goal in that quarter alone. Her effort inspired her teammates to lift their intensity and fight back hard.

Essendon captain Bonnie Toogood gave her team a fired-up speech at the last break, urging them to believe they could still win. 'I was like, We've got 'em — lean into that, we've got them, our football is working,' she said. That message clearly got through to her teammates.

The Bombers hit the front when Daria Bannister kicked a long-range goal after a quick end-to-end move. Emily Gough then sealed the win with a clever checkside kick from a stoppage near goal. The final score was 6.7 (43) to 5.5 (35) in Essendon's favour.

Prespakis finished the game with 35 disposals and five clearances, making her one of the best players on the ground. She was well supported by Maddi Gay with 21 disposals and ruck Steph Wales, who had 20 disposals, 14 hitouts, and eight clearances. Toogood and Gough were also strong in attack for the Bombers.

Essendon's win eases some pressure on their coach Natalie Wood and gives the club confidence heading into a tough match against the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval next Friday. GWS face an even harder challenge, taking on in-form Geelong at Kardinia Park the following Saturday. Both teams, sitting at 1-7, will need strong performances to stay competitive this season.