AFTER four rounds of the NAB AFL Women's competition, injuries are starting to take their toll on several teams.

It's not just the number of injuries piling up, but the quality of players who can't get on the field that is impacting teams’ ability to win.

The Western Bulldogs were equal favourites for the premiership (along with Fremantle) in the pre-season, according to CrownBet. Conversely the Brisbane Lions, who are undefeated and second on the ladder, were the longest odds for the flag. But lingering injuries to key players have left the Bulldogs languishing with one win and three losses, and almost certainly out of Grand Final contention. 

Marquee forward and captain Katie Brennan has missed the past two games with an ankle injury, and was hampered in the first two rounds after sustaining it in a practice match. The Bulldogs have kicked only 12 goals, with Brennan contributing three in her two matches.

Key position player Aasta O'Connor's recently reconstructed knee is troubling her, and she missed Saturday night's loss to Collingwood with soreness. O'Connor was drafted at No.12 (the Bulldogs' second pick) in the 2016 NAB AFL Women's draft. 

The Bulldogs' first pick from that draft, Jaimee Lambert, is normally a hard-running, uncompromising inside midfielder. She missed round two with general soreness and finished the match against Collingwood with just two disposals. Coach Paul Groves admitted she was still struggling.

"She's sore, she has been the whole way through. You're talking three of my best four (Brennan, Lambert and O'Connor) in terms of [team selection] order," Groves said post-game. 

"Within the coaching group, we said it at the start of the competition that injuries are going to play a huge part in this 'comp' in where you sit." 

What Groves did not say is the shallow depth of lists across the competition means elite players are often being replaced by less-experienced and less-talented footballers. The depth will naturally improve over time, but for now, the loss of the Bulldogs' stars is being keenly felt. 

The importance of elite players to teams was also highlighted in Carlton's last-minute loss to Melbourne. 

Marquee defender Brianna Davey has been one of the competition's best players, but missed the match on Saturday afternoon at Casey Fields with a lower back injury.

The Blues had come from 19 points down at three-quarter time and were level with Melbourne with just four minutes remaining.

Richelle Cranston (potentially Davey's direct opponent if the Carlton defender had been playing), found herself unguarded 20 metres from goal, and kicked the match-winner. The Blues missed Davey's on-field leadership and organisation, especially in the dying minutes.

Carlton coach Damien Keeping was hopeful of regaining vice-captain Davey for next week's must-win match against the Bulldogs, but she is far from certain.

"Bri Davey, Sarah Last and Natalie Plane missing through injury hurt us, but to see (injury replacement player) Tahni Nestor come in for her debut was really exciting," Keeping said post-match.

"We want to get Bri (Davey) back as soon as we can."

Fremantle is another side struggling with injuries to important players, having already lost five players to season-ending injuries: marquee Kiara Bowers and midfielder Emily Bonser (ACL injuries in the pre-season) No.13 draft pick Brianna Green (broken collarbone), No.36 selection Tiah Haynes (dislocated shoulder) and rookie Kim Mickle (torn ACL).

The Dockers have been forced to sign two injury replacement players (Beatrice Devlyn and Brooke Whyte), the most of any club, and were also granted an extra priority player before the draft. Their 23-point loss to Adelaide on Sunday afternoon left them second-last on the ladder, with a percentage of 59.8. 

The little Lion who could

Sharni Webb has been battling admirably as the Brisbane Lions' ruck, despite standing just 170cm.

It's reflected in the stats sheet, with the Lions struggling in both the hit-out count and clearance tally. But stats don't tell the whole story.

The Lions have been better than their opponents in general ball movement and when inside forward-50, and are undefeated and second on the ladder.

Some of Webb's opponents have included Erin McKinnon (189cm), Emma King (186cm) and Lauren Pearce (184cm). With teammate Sabrina Frederick-Traub (182cm) spending most of her time in the forward line to great effect, Webb has had to contest ball-ups, despite her distinct height disadvantage. 

She faces another comparative giant in Rhiannon Metcalfe (185cm) in Saturday night's top-of-the-table clash against the Crows.

Lion Sharni Webb has been performing well against taller opponents. Picture: AFL Photos

Keep your eye on the red and the blue

The Demons' win over Carlton has solidified their claim to being the team most likely to knock Adelaide or the Brisbane Lions out of Grand Final contention.

Although they did only just fall over the line, they had been in a commanding position at three-quarter time. It's become somewhat of a trend for the Demons to accelerate in the third quarter. Melbourne failed to add to its score after quarter-time in its thunderstorm-affected loss to the Lions in round one, but kicked 4.1 in the third term in round two, 2.2 in round three and 2.4 against the Blues on Saturday. Considering many teams have had scoreless quarters this season, it's definitely an achievement.

Alyssa Mifsud starred for the Dees up forward. Picture: AFL Photos

Do it for Kate

Collingwood's first win in the AFLW came at a cost, with a serious knee injury to Kate Sheahan in her debut match. The forward's left knee collapsed under her after she took possession of the ball and she was carried from the ground visibly distressed. 

Collingwood players stayed on the ground for several minutes at half-time, huddled in a tight circle, before retreating to the dressing rooms. There, Kendra Heil, who tore her own ACL in the pre-season, stood on a bench with tears running down her face, entreating her teammates to get the win for Kate. It worked, with the Magpies kicking four goals in the third quarter to set up victory. 

After the match, former Bulldogs director and prominent women's football supporter Susan Alberti was in the Collingwood rooms, complete with Bulldogs jacket, congratulating players.

She wasn't the only famous face in the Magpies' rooms, with Aussie tennis star Daria Gavrilova present to support Sheahan, her close friend and former housemate.

Early All Australian locks

An All Australian side will be announced at the conclusion of the season, and it will be very surprising if these players aren't included:

Emma King – the Collingwood marquee signing is comfortably one of the best players at her club, and has been dominant in the ruck. After four rounds she averages 28.3 hit-outs a match, nearly 10 more than her nearest rival, young Giant Erin McKinnon. 

Erin Phillips – a sneaky chance for the competition best and fairest award, the Adelaide rookie impressed so much pre-season she was named co-captain despite not playing footy since juniors. Having carved out a successful basketball career both here and in the United States, her ability to move in congestion and hit the scoreboard is a key reason behind the Crows' success. She averages 17 disposals and just over a goal a match.

Daisy Pearce – no elite team would be complete without the Melbourne captain. Pearce started the season in the forward line, supporting her young teammates, but has come into her own with a move to the midfield in recent weeks. She's clean, creative and her first-class skills stand out above the rest. 

Jess Dal Pos – this one is from left field, but Dal Pos has been one of the Giants' best players in a disappointing season. The Victorian moved to western Sydney as a priority player, and has shown why she was so highly regarded. The midfielder averages seven tackles a game to go with her 12 disposals and her leadership has shone through in an inexperienced line-up.

Demons captain Daisy Pearce has led by example. Picture: AFL Photos