The Carlton player whose 12-hour shifts as a psychiatric nurse are helping her thrive in AFLW

Staring down the formidable North Melbourne juggernaut is an understandably intimidating scenario. The reigning premiers haven’t dropped a game since 2023 and are the league’s undeniable favourite for the 2025 flag.

But Carlton’s Irish recruit Síofra O’Connell has zero nerves.

“See, I have no fear, because I don’t know them,” she laughed.

“When we do any sort of revision or any kind of meeting or anything like that, they’re naming people. And I’m like, ‘Oh, can you tell me their numbers?’ I know all the Irish girls, but that’s kind of it at the minute.

Here are some of the biggest moments from round five, otherwise known as the week of upsets! Surprise results across the weekend proved tipsters wrong and delighted fans.

Richmond’s winless streak extends to five

Despite boasting some of the biggest names in the league – including last year’s AFLW best-and-fairest winner Monique Conti and captain Katie Brennan – the Tigers have lost all five of their games so far, each by a significant margin.

It’s a sharp contrast to the team’s efforts last year when they had won four of five matches. In 2025, the Tigers are averaging fewer goals and struggling for marks inside their forward 50.

Fremantle have overcome wild conditions and an Ella Roberts masterclass to post a seven-point win over West Coast and extend their perfect AFLW western derby record to 8-0.

A powerful 50km/h wind greeted players for the match at Fremantle Oval, and West Coast bounced back from a goalless first half to take a one-point lead into the final quarter.

But with Fremantle kicking with the breeze and the rain tumbling down, former Dockers skipper Hayley Miller registered the only goal of the final quarter to seal the 3.5 (23) to 2.4 (16) victory.

Fremantle (2-3) entered the match off the back of losses to Brisbane (70 points), North Melbourne (100 points) and Sydney (25 points), but their win over West Coast keeps their finals hopes alive.

West Coast are now 3-2, with Daisy Pearce’s team missing a huge chance to go two games clear inside the top eight.

Brisbane were out for grand final revenge on Sunday, aiming to topple the league’s undefeated team North Melbourne, who currently boast a 651-day winning streak. The Lions previously beat the formidable Kangaroos for the 2023 premiership, but since then, have lost every single encounter with their rivals, including the 2024 grand final.

On Sunday afternoon, the two met again, but a fierce North Melbourne – reignited by skipper Jasmine Garner’s return after an ankle injury – were unstoppable, securing a 29-point win in sunny Queensland.

North Melbourne’s Mia King clinched 32 disposals and said the team were happy with the grand final rematch result.

“We know Brisbane, they are a really pressure-side team, they bring a lot of intensity, we knew it would be a good fight,” she said in a post-match interview.