WEST COAST v FREMANTLE

West Coast made all the early running, but ultimately Fremantle pulled away from its cross-town rival, winning by 10 points.

Led by dynamic recruit Aisling McCarthy, the Eagles kicked all four of their goals in the first half, with the Irishwoman booting three herself in the first term.

Kellie Gibson was busy around the ground, ruck Parris Laurie was strong in the stoppages with the Dockers opting not to play Mim Strom, and top draftee Bella Lewis found plenty of the footy alongside leaders Emma Swanson and Dana Hooker.

To the surprise of no one, Docker Kiara Bowers was at her busy best in the middle of the ground, with developing midfielder Jasmin Stewart proving a handy offsider.

Gemma Houghton got Fremantle's first major in the book late in the second term, finishing with two, while key defender Janelle Cuthbertson was strong overhead.

Both sides got through the game unscathed.

WEST COAST   4.3 (27)
FREMANTLE   5.7 (37)

GOALS
West Coast: McCarthy 3, Gibson
Fremantle: Houghton 2, Duffy 2, O'Sullivan 

GEELONG v MELBOURNE 

Melbourne shook off a slow start to gallop away with a 21-point win over Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

The Cats were on fire early, booting four of their five goals in the first term, but struggled to maintain their intensity as the match progressed and the Dees kicked into gear.

Maddie Boyd was a dominant force up forward early, booting two goals, while developing Cats mid Becky Webster put in a solid performance and Denby Taylor was typically tough in her first game since an ankle injury ended her 2020 AFLW season in round two.

INS, OUTS, TRADES, DRAFTEES, ROOKIES Every club's complete list

Rising Melbourne midfielder Tyla Hanks – already earmarked to spend much more time on the ball in 2021 – was her side's best, while Lily Mithen was strong rotating between the middle and forward.

Forward Jackie Parry, whose 2020 debut was delayed until round four due to a hamstring injury, found some space in attack, finishing with two goals.

The Dees picked up two minor injuries, with All-Australian captain Karen Paxman (who was excellent in the half she played) initially sending some anxiety around the ground with what was ultimately a corked quad, and defender Meg Downie finishing on crutches with a sprained ankle.

GEELONG   4.0   4.0   4.2   5.4 (34)
MELBOURNE   0.1   5.3   7.5   8.7 (55)

GOALS
Geelong: Boyd 2, A. McDonald, Clarke, Purcell
Melbourne: Parry 2, Paxman, Mithen, Hanks, Cunningham, Zanker

CARLTON v ST KILDA

A plucky St Kilda pushed Carlton all the way at Ikon Park, before a late goal from Breann Moody saw the Blues snatch the 6.4 (40) to 5.8 (38) win.

Ruck Moody was in ripping touch, covering the ground with ease, involved by hand and foot and dominating stoppages.

Untried key forward Serena Gibbs (two goals) was a powerful presence coming out of the goalsquare in Tayla Harris's absence (managed).

Reigning AFLW best and fairest Maddy Prespakis picked up where she left off, and Darcy Vescio and Georgia Gee were lively, spending more time in the midfield than in games prior.

Composed defender Brooke Vernon did her chances of a round one berth no harm, especially with Gab Pound (missing with a broken hand) unlikely to be fit in time for round one.

The Saints have lost star recruit Bianca Jakobsson to a broken collarbone, with the defender set to undergo surgery this week.

The news was better for Tarni White and Nadia Von Bertouch, who both got through unscathed in their returns from torn ACLs.

REMEMBER ME? The stars returning for 2021

The classy Georgia Patrikios paired well with draftee Tyanna Smith in the middle of the ground, while Molly McDonald provided plenty of drive on the wing and Nicola Xenos caused havoc across half-forward.

CARLTON   1.1   3.3   3.3   6.4 (40)
ST KILDA   0.0   2.1   4.7   5.8 (38)

GOALS
Carlton: Gibbs 2, Vescio 2, Jones, Moody
St Kilda: Xenos 2, Vogt, Patrikios, McCarthy

RICHMOND v WESTERN BULLDOGS

A final-quarter flurry from the Western Bulldogs resulted in a 14-point victory over an improved Richmond, winning 6.7 (43) to 3.11 (29).

Dogs skipper Ellie Blackburn spent portions of the match playing deep forward, and finished with two goals, while Brooke Lochland ran hard in the midfield and kicked two of her own.

All Australian defender Izzy Huntington played up forward, while Jess Fitzgerald, taken with pick No.2 in the draft, found plenty of the footy playing on the ball. Issy Grant, who missed all of 2020 with a toe injury, showed some dash off the flanks.

The Tigers, who did not win a game in their first season, were noticeably more organised in their structures, particularly behind the ball, with recruit Harriet Cordner anchoring the backline.

YOUR CLUB'S DRAFT All you need to know about the 57 new faces

Fellow recruit Sarah D'Arcy did not play, but has been earmarked for an intercepting role across half-back after playing as a key forward for Collingwood.

The first pick in October's draft, Ellie McKenzie, showed her class when she came on in the second half, while as always, Monique Conti had the ball on a string.

WESTERN BULLDOGS   0.0   1.4   1.5   6.7 (43)
RICHMOND   2.5   2.6   2.9   3.11 (29)

GOALS
Richmond: Wakefield 2, Bernardi
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn 2, Lochland 2, Van Oosterwijck, Berry

GOLD COAST v BRISBANE

In a QClash warm-up, Brisbane flexed its muscle against Gold Coast, recording 13 scoring shots to six in a 17-point win.

Second-year rookie Greta Bodey picked up where she left off after an impressive debut season, kicking two goals, while veteran Lauren Arnell also hit the scoreboard and former rugby-playing rookie Courtney Hodder relished the chance to return to football, having dominated at under-18 level.

The Lions took the opportunity to trial a few things ahead of the season, rolling Nat Grider and Breanna Koenen through the middle of the ground.

They weren't the only one to try a few things, with All-Australian forward Kalinda Howarth moved to defence (but not before hitting the scoreboard), Sam Virgo and Serene Watson in unfamiliar territory forward of the footy and even the key position Leah Kaslar going for a run in the middle.

Extended squads meant all nine of the Suns' recruits and draftees took to the field at some point, with the athletic Madi Levi playing up forward and in the ruck and VFLW Saint Bess Keaney settling well into defence.

GOLD COAST   4.2 (26)
BRISBANE   6.7 (43)

GOALS
Gold Coast: Howarth, Virgo, Ritson, Riley
Brisbane: Bodey 2, Anderson, Arnell, O'Dwyer, Wardlaw

COLLINGWOOD v NORTH MELBOURNE

Collingwood sent a warning signal to the rest of the competition, knocking off the powerful but rusty North Melbourne 7.5 (47) to 5.5 (35) at Ikon Park on Sunday.

Both sides were scrappy early, but the Magpies sharpened up as the game progressed, showing composure with lateral ball movement and some new faces in attack.

Draftee and former basketballer Amelia Velardo, in her fourth-ever game of football, moved well in attack to finish with two goals, Abbi Moloney led hard, father-daughter selection Tarni Brown was evasive in traffic and co-captain Bri Davey even spent a half playing deep forward.

Youngsters Alana Porter and Jordy Allen were tenacious in defence, while hybrid wing-ruck Erica Fowler's day finished early with a knock to her cheekbone.

The Roos won plenty of the footy out of the middle but lacked composure at times, particularly entering forward 50. They tidied up the longer the game was played.

Emma Kearney was tireless in providing drive around the ground, Tahlia Randall was strong overhead in defence, while Jenna Bruton and Jas Garner were as clean as ever and Vivien Saad provided a safe pair of hands down the line.

Magpie Sharni Norder (nee Layton, finger) and Kangaroo Jess Duffin (adductor) were late withdrawals from their sides, with draftee Bella Smith rucking in Norder and then Fowler's absence.

COLLINGWOOD   7.5 (47)
NORTH MELBOURNE   5.5 (35)

GOALKICKERS
Collingwood: Velardo 2, Molloy, Newman, O'Dea, Alexander, Moloney
North Melbourne: Bateman 2, Hammond 2, Brown

ADELAIDE v GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

Adelaide's quest to bounce back from a disappointing 2020 saw it defeat a travel-weary GWS by 20 points, with an astonishing 2.21 (33) to 2.1 (13) scoreline.

The game ended a few minutes early when the Giants' latest Irish recruit, Brid Stack, was injured in a tackle and needed to be taken to hospital due to spinal precaution protocols.

The Giants have been staying in Albury for the past two weeks due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney, and this weekend temporarily moved to Adelaide.

The Crows' first goal came from an unlikely source, with All-Australian defender Sarah Allan having a rare run in attack, while draftee and former Dee Ash Woodland booted the second.

Chelsea Randall and Hannah Button made successful returns from torn ACLs.

Giants Alyce Parker, Alicia Eva and Jess Dal Pos found plenty of the footy in the midfield, key back Pepa Randall held strong under constant Adelaide attacking forays while former WNBL player Erin Todd hit the scoreboard in her first taste of AFLW footy.

Both teams embraced in a circle after the game for a minute's silence in memory of former Giant Jacinda Barclay, who died in October last year. 

ADELAIDE   1.10   1.16   2.19   2.21 (33)
GWS   0.0   1.0   1.0   2.1 (13)

GOALS

Adelaide: Allan, Woodland
GWS: Todd, Bennetts