CHECK out what we saw in round seven of the 2026 season.
Red-hot Cats bring Hawks back down to earth with thumping win
GEELONG has sent a powerful warning to the rest of the competition with a comprehensive 36-point victory over the giant-killing Hawthorn to record its sixth consecutive win.
The Cats had far too many options in attack and pushed out to a 50-point lead early in the fourth, before a few late Hawks goals finalised the 12.10 (82) to 7.4 (46) result.
Coach Daniel Webster said Hawthorn was "embarrassed" around the footy in the first half, with Georgie Prespakis, Nina Morrison and Mikayla Bowen leading the way for Geelong through the midfield.
Jackie Parry booted three goals, with her height troubling the Hawks, but the injury-hit Cats suffered another blow, with key back Lexi Gregor suffering a concussion.
Eagles hold off comeback leaving Bombers still to break their season duck
WEST Coast has put more distance between itself and its 0-4 start, holding off an Essendon fightback to win its third game in a row and in doing so, consigning the Bombers to yet another loss.
The winless Bombers, who now sit at 0-7, started hot and finished strong, but the damage was done by the Eagles in the middle two quarters as their talented brigade of young guns set up the 6.9 (45) to 4.11 (35) contest.
Essendon was up for the fight early, attacking each contest with pace and intent, but West Coast managed to hold on and ride out the storm.
Once the initial heat was absorbed with only minimal damage on the scoreboard (a Steph Cain goal to open proceedings), the Eagles wrestled back control and were able to start playing on their own terms rather than chasing the Bombers’ handball chains around the ground.
Dogs win puts Power's season on knife's edge
A CAREER-HIGH four goals to Heidi Woodley propelled the Western Bulldogs to a 13-point victory over Port Adelaide on Friday afternoon, consolidating their position in the top eight with a 5-2 record.
Despite the Power controlling general play, winning the clearances 32–26 and edging inside-50 entries 37–35, the Bulldogs’ superior forward-line efficiency proved the difference in the 10.2 (62) to 8.1 (49) triumph.
The Dogs converted 28 per cent of their inside-50 entries into goals compared to the Power’s 21 per cent.
A frantic 14-goal second half saw Port Adelaide repeatedly challenge, but Woodley's breakout performance ensured the hosts held off every surge to seal the win.
Blues cruise past Tigers to get back on winners list
CARLTON went on a goal rampage at Ikon Park on Grand Final eve.
After two weeks on the wrong side of the result, the Blues returned to winning ways in convincing fashion, running away with a 55-point victory over Richmond on Friday.
Carlton finished 11.10 (76) to 3.3 (21), with the Tigers managing just one behind after half-time as they were completely shut out of the contest.
From the opening minutes, the Blues took control and gave the visitors little opportunity to build sustained pressure.
We're not in Cairns any more: Roos roll Dees to reassert dominance
NORTH Melbourne is back on the winners list after a week-long sojourn, defeating Melbourne comprehensively by 31 points in the final Grand Final Eve public holiday game at Ikon Park on Friday night.
After leading by 18 points early in the second quarter, the Demons were held goalless across the second and third terms, the Kangaroos kicking away for a 10.5 (65) to 5.4 (34) result. It marks the end of Melbourne's undefeated start to the season.
To make matters worse, there'll be a watch on Shelley Heath-Barker who was unable to play out the game due to a calf complaint. North Melbourne winger Taylah Gatt also came off late with an ankle injury, playing her first game for the year after a groin injury had kept her sidelined.
Veteran Jenna Bruton had a career-best 32 disposals, lifting for her side in the third term with ten possessions and a dribbling goal to extend the Kangaroos' lead. Jasmine Garner also grew into the game (31, six clearances, five tackles), scoring two final quarter goals, while partner in crime Ash Riddell held up her end of the bargain (33, six, four) and Eilish Sheerin got busy in the contest (11 tackles, 10 clearances).
The Demons couldn't get the job done for captain Kate Hore who was celebrating her 100th match and kept relatively quiet by her usual standards (16, three clearances and a goal). Vice-captain Tyla Hanks was prolific (32, five tackles and four clearances), while Mia Austin finished with three of Melbourne's five goals and looked dangerous when given the opportunity.
Pies overcome Giants to break through for first win of season
COLLINGWOOD has released the pressure valve, breaking through for its first win of 2026 on a tough day at Victoria Park.
Up against windy conditions and crying out for someone to get dangerous in the front half, it was Ash Centra and Brianna Davey who dug in the boots late to secure the 4.10 (34) to 3.7 (25) victory over Greater Western Sydney on Sunday afternoon.
On a day where neither side could make the most of time up forward, late territory control in which the Pies peppered at goal was ultimately the difference, handing them their breakthrough win.
There was a sloppiness around each side's skill execution – more significant than could be blamed on the windy conditions – and it stymied the attacking transition both were attempting to execute.
Tarni Evans provided the highlights for the day with two stunning goals from awkward angles, while former No.1 pick Ash Centra dobbed a long goal that skidded past any GWS attempts to get a fingertip on the footy.
Brianna Davey ultimately iced the game, kicking the matchwinner with minutes left on the clock, sealing a strong day in attack for the returning star.
Dockers slip into top eight making life difficult for Crows
Fast-starting Fremantle handed Adelaide its fourth loss of the season on Sunday, with Kiara Bowers starring in a commanding 25-point win at Unley Oval.
Both sides went into the match with three wins and three losses, but the Dockers were a class above in the first half.
The home side lifted in the second half but was unable to get within striking distance as Fremantle went on to snap a six-game losing streak against Adelaide with an impressive 9.6 (60) to 5.5 (35) victory.
Bowers was at her powerful best, with her game-high 30 possessions and two goals the centrepiece of a dominant midfield display by Lisa Webb’s side.
The Dockers set up the win with a blistering four-goals-to-nil opening term, with their stingy team defence keeping the Crows to just seven inside 50s in the first half.
Lions' season on knife's edge after hot Swans prove too strong
BRISBANE couldn’t pull off the comeback heroics of its AFL side the day before and now has its season hanging by a thread after losing to Sydney at Henson Park on Sunday.
The 5.7 (37) to 3.5 (23) win has maintained the Swans’ position inside the top four as Colin O’Riordan tries to get his side back in finals for the first time since 2023.
Cynthia Hamilton landed a terrific banana goal in the first two minutes of the game to get the scoreboard in motion for Sydney, but neither side could slot another until the six-minute mark of the second term when former Lion Taylor Smith sent through a set shot against her old side.
Even though the difference to that stage of the match was just 13 points, there was little to suggest that Brisbane would be able to bridge the gap, however Craig Starcevich hasn’t created a team that lies down and at three-quarter time there was just one point in it.
When play resumed for the final stanza it was the Swans that attacked with intent, rewarded with another quick Hamilton major, this time just 32 seconds into the quarter.
When Tanya Kennedy kicked the next goal 12 minutes later the difference was 15 and, with no ‘Wharfie time’ activation to fire up the Lions, the result was secure.
Young Suns turn up the heat against winless Saints despite gun's return to form
GOLD Coast has charged into the top four with a 10.9 (69) to 6.3 (39) win against St Kilda at People First Stadium on Sunday.
The young Suns struggled early as Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw single-handedly kept the Saints in the contest early, but eight second-half goals to one saw Gold Coast steam home to the 30-point victory.
Tawhiao-Wardlaw's return to form may give St Kilda fans something to smile about if only for a while, however they will soon be sobered by the fact their side sits winless on the bottom of the ladder ofter seven rounds.
A close first quarter turned the Saints' way in the second as they held a 15-point lead at the long break, but everything reversed when play resumed, as momentum, and the football, started heading towards the Suns' end of the ground.
Charlie Rowbottom's sensational season continued at full stride as she racked up 38 disposals and nine clearances.