Dougal Tsakalos-Stewart summarises the AFL and FIFA Women’s World Cup!
AFL TOP 8 SUM UP
The final week of the AFL, otherwise known as the Australian Football League, was a riveting one for sure. While the top 4 was mostly decided and concrete, places 5-8 were wide open. The Sydney Swans had a chance to go from 5th to 7th, but couldn't defeat a Demons side with Fritsch back who kicked 5. They fell to 8th place. The Bulldogs had a massive task: to defeat the reigning premiers Geelong at Kardinia Park, something they haven't managed to do since 2011. They were aided by their super captain, Marcus Bontempelli, who had 31 disposals and 10 tackles [1]. However, their glee of making the eight was short lived, as the GWS Giants defeated an in-form Carlton team that had won 9 of their last 10 games to topple the Bulldogs and the Swans on the ladder.
WORLD CUP WRAPPED
The FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023 was a spectacle. 1,978,274 fans in total watched the games shown in both Australia and New Zealand within the 1-2 month span [2]. Clearly, the sport as a whole gained a lot more attraction, which is pivotal for women's sports. There were a multitude of surprises and notable moments as well. These include:
The co hosts New Zealand being knocked out in the group stages.
Germany, Canada and Italy ranked in the top 15 in the world, being knocked out in the group stage.
Jamaica not only making it to the world cup for the first time, but also making it to the round of 16.
Australia making their first ever semi final in both men and womens football.
Spain winning their first ever world cup.
[1] Final Siren, “Marcus Bontempelli 2023 AFL Statistics”, FinalSiren.com, (n.d.), https://finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=2460
[2] Johnston, Neil, “Women’s World Cup 2023: Record attendance of almost two million”, BBC Sport, 21 Aug. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66517612#:~:text=Just%20short%20of%20two%20million,was%20watched%20by%201%2C131%2C312%20supporters