Melbourne Survives AFLW Heart-Stopper Against Collingwood as Grace Campbell’s After-the-Siren Shot Rattles the Post
Melbourne, Australia – August 31, 2025
In a nail-biting AFLW thriller that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Melbourne Demons clung to a dramatic four-point victory over the Collingwood Magpies at Victoria Park on Sunday afternoon. The match, played amid sporadic rain during Indigenous Round, came down to the final seconds when Collingwood forward Grace Campbell’s desperate shot at goal after the siren struck the post, denying the Magpies an epic comeback and preserving Melbourne’s unbeaten start to the season.
Dramatic Finish Seals Melbourne’s Escape
The Demons edged out a 5.7 (37) to 4.9 (33) win in a scrappy, high-pressure affair that showcased the intensity of the AFLW competition. With just over two minutes remaining, Melbourne’s Alyssa Bannan took a contested mark and found skipper Kate Hore in the goal square, who converted to extend the lead to six points. Collingwood’s Imogen Barnett had a chance to level the scores moments later but missed, setting the stage for the after-the-siren drama.
As the final siren sounded, Campbell lined up from about 40 meters out, her kick sailing true but agonizingly clipping the post, much to the relief of the Melbourne players and the dismay of the home crowd. “Millimetres between winning and losing!” exclaimed commentator Jack Heverin on Channel Seven. The victory moves Melbourne to 3-0 on the season, while Collingwood slips to 1-2.
Key Plays and Standout Performances
The game was a tale of two halves, with Melbourne dominating early before Collingwood mounted a fierce challenge. The Demons led by 13 points midway through the first quarter, courtesy of goals from Eden Zanker and Tayla Harris, and held an eight-point advantage at the first break. However, they were held scoreless in the second term, allowing the Magpies to surge ahead in the third when Carly Remmos booted a major to ignite Victoria Park.
Melbourne fought back through Hore, who snapped a crucial goal against the run of play to regain the lead, then set up Georgia Gall for another. Hore finished with 21 disposals and two goals, earning praise for her leadership. “I’ve had a few go through the hands today, so it was nice to clunk that one,” Hore said post-match. For Collingwood, Brit Bonnici was a midfield powerhouse with 27 disposals, six clearances, and 10 tackles, while Carly Remmos tallied 24 disposals and a goal. Defensively, Tarni White was outstanding, and veterans like Sarah Rowe (25 disposals) and Maeve Chaplin (21 disposals, 11 tackles, 532 meters gained) kept the Magpies in contention.
Both sides were hampered by injuries: Melbourne missed Olivia Purcell (ACL), Sinead Goldrick, and Blaithin Mackin, while Collingwood was without skipper Ruby Schleicher (concussion), Jordyn Allen (calf), and Bri Davey (ankle).
Quotes from Coaches and Players
Melbourne skipper Kate Hore captured the relief in the Demons’ camp, telling the Seven Network: “I just said to the girls: ‘Where are the cops? We just got away with absolute murder there.’ But we’ll take it. A win’s a win in this competition, you’ve got to keep banking them.”
Demons coach Mick Stinear acknowledged Collingwood’s effort: “To their credit, they really pushed us. I honestly think they deserved to win, the way they played, but we’ll take the four points.”
Collingwood coach Sam Wright was gracious in defeat, praising his team’s resilience: “I’m really proud of the Magpies’ midfield defence, which has been improving over the last week, and [Sarah] Rowe for her tough contests.”
Background: A Rivalry in Indigenous Round
This matchup between Melbourne (Narrm) and Collingwood highlighted the growing rivalry in the AFLW, with both clubs boasting strong Indigenous representation during the league’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round. Melbourne entered as favorites after back-to-back wins, aiming to build momentum despite their injury woes. Collingwood, coming off a narrow loss, sought to capitalize on home advantage at Victoria Park, where the wet conditions added to the physicality.
The game reflected the AFLW’s evolution, with increasing focus on contested possessions and pressure tactics. Melbourne’s early lead stemmed from strong aerial work by Zanker and Harris, while Collingwood’s third-quarter surge was driven by their midfield dominance. The after-the-siren miss echoed famous AFL moments, underscoring the fine margins in women’s footy.
Impact and Next Steps
The result keeps Melbourne atop the ladder with a perfect record, boosting their premiership credentials but highlighting areas for improvement, like composure under pressure. For Collingwood, the loss stings but provides valuable lessons in finishing games; their spirited fightback signals potential for a strong season recovery.
Looking ahead, the Demons face Richmond at Casey Fields on Saturday, September 6, where they’ll aim to extend their streak. Collingwood travels to Arden Street Oval to take on North Melbourne on Sunday, September 7, with a chance to bounce back quickly. Both teams will use this thriller as motivation, with Melbourne focusing on injury returns and Collingwood refining their forward pressure.
In conclusion, Melbourne’s narrow escape against Collingwood exemplifies the excitement and unpredictability of the AFLW, where a post-rattling kick can define a season. Fans are reminded that in this league, every point counts—Melbourne banks another win, but Collingwood’s grit promises more battles ahead.
Sources: Compiled from ABC News, 7NEWS, Yahoo News, The Age, and AFL.com.au reports on the AFLW Round 3 match.