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Madison Prespakis starred as Essendon overturned a 25-point deficit to beat GWS by eight points for its first AFLW win of the season, leaving St Kilda as the only winless team.
Madison Prespakis has steered battling Essendon to an eight-point comeback victory over GWS for its first win of the AFLW season. The star midfielder produced a huge third-quarter effort to inspire the Bombers to a 6.7 (43) to 5.5 (35) win at Henson Park on Saturday afternoon.
Prespakis Leads Essendon Comeback
The Giants got out to a game-high 25-point lead at the start of the third quarter and appeared on track for a second win of the season before Prespakis kicked into overdrive and Essendon lifted its pressure. Prespakis racked up 13 disposals, six contested possessions, three clearances and a goal in the third term to put Essendon on her back. Genuinely just so proud of the resilience of the group, skipper Bonnie Toogood told Fox Sports.
And it has been a challenging season, I suppose, and the persistence through adversity, particularly today. The first half was not what we were planning on, but to come out in the third like we did and just big moments by individuals - bloody inspiring. The victory relieves some pressure on Bombers coach Natalie Wood and leaves St Kilda as the league's only winless team.
It was a devastating loss for Cam Bernasconi's Giants, who kicked five of the first six goals then only scored one point in a second half where they were completely overwhelmed by Essendon's manic pressure. Essendon had trailed by just four points at the final change when star forward Toogood gave the Bombers a massive rev-up at the huddle. I am passionate and emotional all the time - it could be the Italian in me, Toogood said.
Bombers Seal Victory Through Pressure
They were on the back foot … I was like, We have got them - lean into that, we have got them, our football is working. Essendon hit the front when it went from end to end and Daria Bannister tumbled home a long-range goal.
Then Emily Gough kicked a terrific checkside from a forward-50 stoppage that sealed victory. Prespakis finished with a mammoth 35 disposals and five clearances, and she was well supported by Maddi Gay (21 disposals) and Georgia Gee (15). Ruck Steph Wales also had a big influence with 20 disposals, 14 hitouts and eight clearances. Toogood (eight marks, one goal) and Gough (two goals) were influential in attack for the Bombers.
Alex Morcom and Amy Gaylor were strong down back, with nine intercepts apiece. The Giants' best were Alyce Parker (25 disposals, eight tackles, two goals), Tilly Lucas-Rodd (26) and Cambridge McCormick (22). Essendon (16th, 1-7) faces the finals-chasing Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval on Friday. GWS (15th, 1-7) has the daunting task of facing red-hot Geelong at Kardinia Park next Saturday.
7NewsSydney
abcnews:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
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