CHECK out what we saw in round five of the 2026 season.

Star's serious injury concern mars Hawks' strong win over Dogs

Hawthorn won its first game at its new home in Dingley, but it came at a cost with star midfielder Emily Bates suffering what appears to be a serious knee injury.

The Hawks put their foot on the gas in the third term, piling on five goals to zero to lay the platform for an important 11-point victory.

Irish forward Aine McDonagh was the star of the show, booting a career-high four goals to take her tally to 16 in five games.

Hawthorn ruck Lucy Wales continued her impressive start to 2026, while vice-captain Eliza West was busy as usual with a team-high 24 disposals.

For the Western Bulldogs, co-captain Isabelle Pritchard was best with a game-high 31 touches.

Young Suns shine to power away from winless Pies

IT WASN’T always pretty, but Gold Coast has won its third match of the season, running away from Collingwood by 30 points at People First Stadium on Saturday.

Trailing by four points at half-time, the Suns exploded with a seven-goal second half to storm to a 9.8 (62) to 4.8 (32) victory and a 3-2 win-loss record.

Sunny Lappin starred in just her fifth career game, kicking three goals, while Charlie Rowbottom (29 disposals, including 11 clearances) was a force around the stoppages, and Havana Harris (17 and a goal) a destructive presence in the forward half of the ground.

When the game was up for grabs in the third quarter, it was Gold Coast’s youngsters that helped separate the teams.

Cats keep charging Crows at bay to notch first-ever win against Adelaide

GEELONG has broken through for its first-ever win against Adelaide, a midfield masterclass from star Georgie Prespakis propelling the Cats to an impressive 11-point victory.

The Crows were looking to celebrate star defender Sarah Allan’s 100-game milestone with a win at Unley Oval on Saturday, but struggled to match it with Geelong’s high-powered onball brigade in the pivotal second and third quarters.

The Cats led by as much as 32 points, but had to hold their nerve late.

Ebony Marinoff starred for the home side throughout and was instrumental in a late charge.

Eagles hang on against fast-finishing Lions to break season duck

WEST Coast has won its first game of the season, accounting for a fast-finishing Brisbane 6.10 (46) to 6.5 (41) at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday afternoon.

While the result could act as a firestarter for Daisy Pearce's Eagles, it may also be damaging for the Lions' campaign as they slip to 2-3 on the win-loss ledger in a league where it doesn't serve well to slip off the pace early.

The contest served as a masterclass from West Coast's emerging superstar Ella Roberts who dominated all statistical categories by game's end as well as laying what was arguably the match-saving tackle.

The two sides went goal-for-goal through the first quarter and into the second before Brisbane managed successive majors that handed it the lead for the first time in the contest.

It wasn't held for long though as Isabella Lewis put the home team back in front at half-time, Amy Franklin stretching the gap slightly with the only goal to either side in the third quarter.

Dees dominate Power, remain undefeated in 2026

MELBOURNE'S red-hot start to the season continued after the Demons clinically took care of Port Adelaide by 51 points on Sunday afternoon.

The Demons led from start to finish, extending their lead at every break to eventually win 11.8 (74) to 2.11 (23) in front of a crowd of 1,762 at Casey Fields.

Sunday's win means the Demons remain undefeated five rounds into the season under new coach Tom Wilson, but it came at a cost with in-form forward Eliza McNamara ruled out of the game with a jaw injury.

McNamara collided with Power defender Ella Heads early in the fourth quarter, the bump causing the Demon to leave the ground, with Wilson confirming in his post-match press conference that she'd been sent to hospital for scans.

It's unfortunate news for the 24-year-old who has had several injuries across her short career, including a serious back injury that caused the youngster to miss a year of football in 2022.

Tigers take the points but Saints get consolation through an emerging young star

RICHMOND has overcome a spirited St Kilda at Windy Hill, holding off a mid-game fight back to win 9.4 (58) to 6.7 (43) on Sunday afternoon.

After a slow start, the Saints worked themselves back into the contest throughout the second and third quarters. But the Tigers steadied when it mattered and held off the challenges, continuing their alternating win-loss pattern of results in the 2026 season.

Jade McLay had a breakout game for the Saints. Playing in just her third game, McLay had St Kilda fans jumping out of their seats after kicking three goals in quick succession to open the second quarter, before finishing with a game high four goals.

Richmond midfield duo Isabel Bacon and Ellie McKenzie combined for 40 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 10 tackles, 10 clearances, and eight inside 50s in the ongoing absence of seven-time best and fairest Monique Conti. 

Swans swamp Giants behind Molloy masterclass

A FOUR-GOAL performance from Chloe Molloy powered Sydney to a 31-point Sydney Derby victory over Greater Western Sydney at Henson Park on Sunday afternoon, winning 13.9 (87) to 8.8 (56).

The Swans' win was tempered by a serious ankle injury to midfielder Sophia Hurley in the final quarter.

Sydney controlled general play with a 46–36 advantage in inside 50s and outpaced GWS in uncontested possessions (138–116).

The Giants won the clearance battle 27–21 and contested possessions 131–118, but could not convert that inside work into scoreboard pressure, resulting in their fourth consecutive defeat.

Blues' best threatens but falls short as Roos' winning streak continues

NORTH Melbourne has ended Carlton's undefeated start to the 2026 season, defeating the Blues by 10 points in a Sunday afternoon tussle at Arden St Oval.

Carlton got as close as anyone to downing the Kangaroos for a long time, momentarily taking the lead in the second quarter and competing all afternoon. North Melbourne held its nerve though, running out 4.9 (33) to 3.5 (23) winners in front of a record AFLW crowd for the ground of 4,048. The result makes it 32 wins in a row for the Kangaroos.

The usual suspects in captain Jasmine Garner (30 disposals, five tackles and five clearances) and reigning AFLW Best and Fairest Ash Riddell (39, three clearances and 521 metres gained) combined beautifully in the midfield to make it 32 wins in a row for the Kangaroos.

Carlton can be proud of its performance, bringing intense pressure and its characteristically dangerous forward handball game throughout the afternoon. Erone Fitzpatrick (seven tackles) and Harriet Cordner (29, with 17 intercept possessions) continued to make their cases for All-Australian selection. Teammate Dayna Finn fought all day and had her hand in everything, with 29 possessions, six tackles and two clearances.

Zanker stands tall as Dockers survive injury chaos to overcome Dons

FREMANTLE has survived a gritty Essendon and the loss of two of its biggest stars, with big-name recruit Edan Zanker standing up late to seal a 15-point win against the Bombers at Cockburn ARC Oval on Sunday. 

The Dockers lost star ruck Mim Strom pre-game due to shoulder soreness, while dual All Australian defender Emma O'Driscoll was sidelined minutes into the game with an ankle injury. 

The team steadied, however, to secure its first ever win at the club's Cockburn home ground, moving to 3-2 and winning 5.7 (37) to 3.4 (22) after Zanker marked late in the game and converted her set shot. 

It was a physical contest and both teams paid a price, with Essendon also losing Daria Bannister during the third quarter to a quad issue, while Bess Keaney copped a head knock during the desperate final term after a heavy bump from Bella Smith that will at least be assessed by the Match Review Office.