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

Dogs make light work of Bombers to storm into top four

THE WESTERN Bulldogs have laid their claim for a top-four spot with a comprehensive 43-point demolition of an inaccurate Essendon.

In front of a bumper crowd of 4327 at Mission Whitten Oval, kicking off the two-week Pride Round celebration, the Dogs were far too strong in the stoppages in the 10.5 (65) to 2.10 (22) victory, and temporarily snuck into the top four at the start of the weekend’s action.

Sarah Hartwig stood up with a career-high four goals, with Izzy Pritchard a class above through the midfield with 30 disposals and 10 clearances.

The Bombers held their own in patches throughout the match, but couldn’t stick with the Dogs for the full four quarters, and defensive lapses directly in front of goal cost them dearly. - Sarah Black 

Saints farewell Dal Santo with breakthrough win over Magpies

NICK Dal Santo's tenure as St Kilda's AFLW coach ended on a high with his brave Saints putting together a courageous two-point victory over Collingwood on Saturday afternoon. 

The Saints Hall of Famer announced his resignation on Friday afternoon following a disappointing 0-8 start to the season, but Dal Santo finished his six seasons in charge with four points, the Saints winning 5.9 (39) to 5.7 (37) in front of a crowd of 2,180.

In a further blow for the Magpies, skipper Ruby Schleicher left the game cradling her right shoulder following a strong tackle by Saints defender Maya Louvel-Finn in the second quarter and took no further part in the game.

St Kilda midfielder Tyanna Smith was exceptional, finishing with 25 disposals, 12 clearances and 674 metres gained and key forward Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw kicked two majors to help seal the Saints' first win of the season.

Port puts an end to Eagles' winning streak with gutsy scalp

ANOTHER stellar performance by Abbey Dowrick has propelled Port Adelaide to a tense four-point win against West Coast at Alberton Oval on Saturday.

A week after she claimed the Showdown Medal in the Power's win against Adelaide, Dowrick was outstanding once again with a game-high 25 possessions and nine clearances.

The home side led by two points at three-quarter time and clung to a slim lead throughout an enthralling final term, with neither side able to kick a goal, to score a gutsy win that improved its record to 4-5.

Ella Roberts was the prime mover for the Eagles, who were brave but couldn't find a way to extend their four-game winning streak.

Geelong's fab four feast on Giants in GMHBA demolition

GEELONG'S four-headed monster up forward cannot be stoppage, as Greater Western Sydney discovered on Saturday afternoon at GMHBA Stadium.

Continuing to flirt with the top of the ladder, the Cats did bulk damage early to record the 14.12 (96) to 5.3 (33) win on Saturday afternoon, posting their third-highest half time score in their history.

It is a result that continues to pile pressure on an underperforming Giants outfit, with just one win from its nine games this year.

The only sour note for the victor was a late shoulder injury to key defender Claudia Gunjaca, the result of some friendly fire in a marking contest.

Crows keep faint finals hopes alive with commanding win over Tigers

ADELAIDE has played finals in eight of the 10 AFLW seasons to date, and a 32-point win over Richmond at Ikon Park means their chances of playing in a seventh consecutive finals series stays alive for at least another week.

The Crows finished with 118 more disposals, 23 more contested possessions and 20 more inside 50s but never really blew the Tigers away on the scoreboard, conceding just one goal in each quarter.

Ebony Marinoff was everywhere, amassing 39 disposals (her most since 2022 S7), 13 tackles, six clearances, and 405 metres gained.

Ellie McKenzie and Isabel Bacon fought hard for Richmond but were left to shoulder too much of the load, with 10 Tigers registering less than 10 disposals.

Gold rush: Silky Suns scorch Dees to stamp flag credentials

GOLD Coast announced itself as a serious player in this year's premiership race with a 22-point win over Melbourne in Mackay on Saturday night.

The Suns were impressive from the outset in the humid conditions, answering every challenge to beat the Demons for the first time in their history, 9.7 (61) to 5.9 (39).

After trailing by three points at quarter-time, they used a powerful three-goal second term to build a 15-point half-time advantage and never looked back.

Gold Coast had strong contributions all over the field, led by skilful half-back duo Daisy D'Arcy (26 disposals, including 10 intercepts) and Niamh McLaughlin (24 with 13 intercepts).

Charlie Rowbottom got going after a slow first quarter to finish with a game-high 33 touches (six clearances), while exciting youngsters Havana Harris, Ava Usher and Mikayla Nurse kicked two goals apiece as the Suns solidified a spot in the top four.

Although Melbourne was missing key personnel Kate Hore and Mia Austin through injury, Gold Coast could not have been more impressive.

Roos' strong win leaves Dockers in big pack fighting for finals

NORTH Melbourne has put a dent in Fremantle's finals hopes, defeating the Dockers by 28 points at Arden St Oval on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

The Kangaroos adapted well to the conditions, catching Freo out with their transition game and booming kicks, consigning the visitors to a scoreless third term on the way to winning 9.4 (58) to 4.6 (30).

The result consolidates the Kangaroos’ position at the top of the ladder on the same wins as Geelong, while setting the Dockers back in their quest for finals due to the logjam in the middle of the ladder.

Kangaroos captain Jasmine Garner demonstrated her versatility, using her powerful kick to great effect (33 disposals, four clearances and 554 metres gained), while Ash Riddell had six score involvements to go with her 38 possessions and Eilish Sheerin had a game-high nine clearances.

Hawks move ahead of mid-ladder scrum with win over Lions

HAWTHORN’S finals hopes have received a big boost after a strong 25-point win over Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.

The Lions jumped out of the gates strongly but the Hawks managed to get the game on their terms from the second quarter onwards, running away with a 9.11 (65) to 6.4 (40) victory in windy conditions in Dingley.

Star Hawthorn forward Aine McDonagh (20 disposals, eight score involvements, six marks) jumped to the top of the competition goalkicking charts with another haul of three goals, proving a real handful for Brisbane’s defence.

Hawthorn ruck Lucy Wales was also outstanding, continuing her career-best season with 14 disposals, six tackles and a goal.

It was a fitting way for the Hawks to celebrate fan favourite and AFLW pioneer Kaitlyn Ashmore’s 100th AFLW match.

Blues cruise past Swans to as good as lock in finals

CARLTON has strengthened its top-four push with a 27-point win over Sydney at Henson Park, defeating the Swans 8.11 (59) to 4.8 (32) in Sunday's AFLW Pride Round clash.

Despite Sydney winning the inside-50 count 45-39, Carlton's clinical efficiency proved the difference in difficult wind conditions, converting 22 per cent of its entries into goals compared to the Swans' nine per cent.

The victory was tempered by a late injury blow, with Blues skipper Abbie McKay suffering a fourth-quarter ankle injury.