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

Dogs down Tigers to make it two in a row to kick start season

THE WESTERN Bulldogs have made it two wins from two to open their 2026 campaign, as they defeated Richmond by 11 points at Mission Whitten Oval on Saturday, 7.6 (48) to 5.7 (37).

On paper, it looked like an even contest between two sides finding form early, but the Dogs made sure only one of them remained undefeated.

The key player who contributed to the Bulldogs' win was Isabelle Pritchard, who dominated the Doggies' midfield with 36 disposals, 17 kicks and 19 handballs.

The Tigers started with the opening goal in the first quarter, but young Bulldogs forward Emma McDonald quickly turned the momentum in her side's favour, booting three goals in the first half to put Richmond under pressure.

Richmond's influence going forward was quite limited in the first half, with the visitors managing just eight inside-50s, their equal-lowest half-time tally on record.

The kids are alright! Young guns power Suns to big win over Eagles

GOLD Coast teenager Alannah Welsh has put the competition on notice with a thrilling five-goal performance in her second game, spearheading a 35-point win against West Coast at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

Coming off a round one loss to the Western Bulldogs, and with nine second gamers in their team, the Suns travelled west and stunned the Eagles with a high-pressure performance, winning 10.9 (69) to 5.4 (34).

They set up the win with a seven-goal-to-one first half, using their speed and athleticism to force turnovers and counter-attack before holding their ground against an improved Eagles team in a tighter second half.  

It was a statement win that showed the new-look team will be a danger in 2026, with coach Rhyce Shaw's game plan clearly clicking as Gold Coast controlled possession and field position for long periods.

As well as Welsh, young Sun Ava Usher (two goals) was a constant threat, while experienced midfielder Charlie Rowbottom (26 disposals and six clearances) controlled stoppages.

Cats sharpen their claws in massive mauling of Saints

IN GEELONG’s first double-header at GMHBA Stadium, the Cats put on an absolute show in front of their home fans, defeating a powerless St Kilda by 85-points on Saturday evening. 

Spearhead forward Jackie Parry had a night out, kicking four goals in the first half alone before finishing the night with a career-best six goals and helping set up the 16.4 (100) to 2.3 (15) victory.

Parry was one of ten Cats to hit the scoreboard with Chloe Scheer the only other multiple kicker with two, her first goals since 2023 after missing the past two seasons with a foot injury.

But the win came at a cost for Geelong losing three-time club best and fairest Amy McDonald in the second quarter with a hamstring injury.

St Kilda forward Amber Clarke also left the ground with injury hurting ankle in a marking contest in the third quarter and taking no further part in the game.

Roos survive a Lions scare to extend record run

NORTH Melbourne answered like champions do, seeing off a stirring Brisbane challenge with three final-quarter goals to win by 11 points at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday night.

The Lions got within three points at the final change and had all the momentum, but goals to Eilish Sheerin and Bella Eddey, times two, gave the visitors enough breathing space to hang on 6.8 (44) to 5.3 (33).

Aside from last year’s 10-point preliminary final win over Melbourne, it was as close as any team has got to the Kangaroos during their 29-game winning streak.

In a match that resembled wet weather footy on a dewy Springfield surface, North kept Brisbane goalless in the first half and bullied their opponents at the contest to dominate field position.

But the Lions flipped the script after half-time, kicking three unanswered goals to roar back into the contest.

Swans put tough week behind them with stirring AFLW win in front of record crowd

IN FRONT of a record crowd, Sydney's AFLW side has claimed a hard-fought 24-point victory over Essendon at the SCG on Sunday afternoon, prevailing in an intense, physical arm-wrestle that sizzled with raw emotion after a difficult week off the field for the Swans.

In front of a record crowd of 16,672, the 9.12 (66) to 6.6 (42) win marked just the second time the AFLW team has played for premiership points at the venue, with Sydney holding firm on home turf.

The emotions were evident from the outset both on the field and in the stands, with spectators holding signs showing support for the women's team and the crowd erupting in cheers when the Swans kicked their first goal.

Several players also made their feelings clear, with Chloe Molloy celebrating a goal by making a 'W' with her hands while Taylor Smith tugged at her guernsey after one of hers.

Experienced Dockers too good for young Pies

FREMANTLE has snapped a two-game losing streak against Collingwood at Victoria Park, heading home with the four points on the back of their 8.2 (50) to 4.6 (30) win.

Brianna Davey almost brought the house down in the opening minute after creating a turnover and sending the ball towards goal, but the long-range shot was rushed through for a behind. Davey, playing her first game in 682 days after missing all of last 2025 with ankle and foot injuries, finished as her side’s leading ball winner (21 disposals, nine contested possessions, and four clearances). 

Emma O’Driscoll also started her return from injury strongly, racking up 10 disposals, and four marks in the first quarter. The Swan Districts product, who was elevated to deputy vice-captain in the off-season, finished her day with 22 disposals, 11 intercept possessions, seven marks, and three tackles.

Bella Smith provided a spark up forward for Fremantle, finishing with a game-high three goals, including back-to-back majors in the third quarter. Eden Zanker had more of an impact in her second appearance for the Dockers, kicking two goals from six disposals. 

Dees' new era rolls on with commanding win over Giants

THE NEW era of Melbourne rolls on with a 48-point dismantling of Greater Western Sydney in its first home game of the season.

Putting the foot to the floor after the first break, the Demons ran away with the 9.6 (60) to 1.6 (12) victory on Sunday afternoon to keep their record unblemished from two starts this year.

The combination of Tyla Hanks (26 disposals, seven tackles) and Olivia Purcell (36 disposals, four clearances) is greater than the sum of its parts, and together they led Melbourne out of the middle to go 2-0. And despite carrying a Grace Kòs tag, captain Kate Hore (15 disposals, one goal) was classy with ball in hand.

Although it seemed like fans were in for a tight, low-scoring scrap through the opening term, an enthusiastic start to the season by Greater Western Sydney couldn't be maintained when Melbourne got going.

Blues flip script on Crows to stake claim among comp's elite

CARLTON has consigned Adelaide to a 0-2 start, clearly a step above the Crows in its 27-point win at Ikon Park.

The Blues led for the entire match, and capitalised on some shaky Crows disposal when attempting to clear the footy from danger zones to record the 7.8 (50) to 3.5 (23) victory.

Maddi Newman dominated on the wing in the third term with 11 touches and a goal (finishing with 30), dragging her side back into the mix, but Carlton did enough to maintain a two-goal buffer heading into the final quarter.

Carlton speedster Erone Fitzpatrick had a very hot start on the wing with 10 disposals in the first quarter, and finished with 29 and three behinds for the match, rotating to half-forward, while Claudia Whitfort (23, five clearances) and Mimi Hill (28 and three) were strong in the stoppages and Nell Morris-Dalton booted three, all from the goal-square. 

Hawks fire late to leave shellshocked Power in their wake

THREE goals apiece to Poppy Stockwell and Aine McDonagh and a star turn by Lucy Wales have fired Hawthorn to an emphatic 32-point win against Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval.

Port led by 12 points at half-time, but the Hawks ratcheted up the pressure in the third term and rode a wave of momentum to the 10.5 (65) to 5.3 (33) win.

Daniel Webster’s side lost Jasmine Fleming to a hamstring concern before the match, but roared to its first win of the season after kicking nine of the last 10 goals of the contest, including a four-goals-to-nil last quarter.

Wales and Matilda Scholz went head-to-head in an engrossing ruck duel and both were brilliant, Scholz finishing with 35 hitouts and Wales taking 10 marks and booting a goal.

In a blow for the Power, Indy Tahau was unable to see out the match after reporting knee soreness in the second quarter.