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

Blues weather the storm to bring down Hawks in Ikon Park slog

CARLTON gutsed out a 12-point win over Hawthorn in a game that featured heavy rain from siren to siren.

The Blues led for the entirety of the game, racing out to a three-goal lead at quarter-time, and were never headed in the 5.6 (36) to 3.6 (24) result, even as the Hawks peppered their own attacking 50.

This was not the game for delicate kicks, set plays and fancy handball chains. Like the men's edition between these two clubs earlier this year at the MCG, this was wet-weather footy at its purest – see ball, get ball, bomb ball as far as you can and hope for the best.

Carlton skipper Abbie McKay set a new Carlton AFLW disposal record with 34 touches, while the fine season of Hawthorn recruit Poppy Stockwell continued with another two goals.

Seventh heaven as Cats keep charging after taming Tigers

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.

Bombers away! Dons break their duck with stirring win over Giants

ESSENDON has claimed its first victory of the season, storming home with a fierce second-half comeback to defeat Greater Western Sydney by eight points, 6.7 (43) to 5.5 (35), at Henson Park on Saturday afternoon.

Trailing by 25 points early in the third quarter, the Bombers kicked the last five goals of the match while holding the Giants to just a single behind after the main break.

Despite GWS dominating forward territory with a 50-23 inside-50 advantage, Essendon’s lethal efficiency proved the difference. The Bombers converted 26 per cent of their entries into goals, compared to the Giants' return of just 10 per cent.

Midfield star Madison Prespakis led the charge alongside Maddison Gay, whose mid-game shift into the midfield helped stabilise the clearance battle (25-22) and drive the Bombers' comeback victory.

Winless Saints hit a new low as Dogs dominate in bleary Ballarat

ST KILDA'S season has gone from bad to worse, serving up its worst performance of 2026, kicking just one point with 90 seconds left on the clock to remain anchored on the bottom of the ladder.

It was a day of negative football, starkly juxtaposing the trend of the AFLW this year, as the Western Bulldogs' inaccurate showing in attack marginally lightened the blow, finishing with a 3.13 (31) to 0.1 (1) scoreline at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.

The conditions made things tough, bitingly cold and sideways rain sweeping through, but not bad enough to justify St Kilda's impotence. The Bulldogs adapted to the slippery deck, willing to engage one percenters, kick the ball off the deck and gain ground at all costs.

St Kilda was unable to make anything of the momentum gathered in a more encouraging performance last week, with numbers all coming up around the ball into the backline, and lacking options when they did win the footy.

Too often did they hand the ball back to the Dogs' proactive defensive attitude, which it then turned into attack. The contested possession count was telling, with the Bulldogs winning the count 128-84 despite the wet conditions which called for a willingness to get busy in the contest.

Suns surge into fourth with historic win over Lions

GOLD Coast ground its way to a historic first ever QClash win, overpowering Brisbane by 20 points at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday night.

Trailing by two points at the final change, Havana Harris kicked two goals and the dominant Charlie Rowbottom added another to steer the Suns home, 5.10 (40) to 3.2 (20).

It was the first time in eight meetings Gold Coast have got the better of big sister, with the victory moving them into the top four.

Rowbottom continued her magnificent season, winning the best on ground medal for her 36 disposals and nine clearances, while co-captains Lucy Single (30, six clearances and a brilliant goal) and Niamh McLaughlin (24) were also major contributors.

Port powers past Crows to claim another Showdown win

PORT Adelaide has snapped its four-game losing streak and claimed another Showdown win with a 14-point victory over Adelaide on Saturday night.

In a high-pressure contest at Alberton Oval, the Power proved too good to claim a 5.6 (36) to 2.10 (22) victory.

The important win saw the Power improve to 3-5, the same record as the Crows as both look to make a late charge towards finals.

Abbey Dowrick (23 disposals, nine clearances, eight tackles and a goal) starred to win the Showdown Medal for the second straight year.

Roos rumble Swans but injuries sour day for both sides

A STATEMENT win from North Melbourne was soured by a hamstring injury to champion Emma Kearney in career game No.100.

Kearney limped from the field in the final quarter of the 10.11 (71) to 2.4 (16) win over Sydney in front of a packed crowd at Arden Street on Sunday afternoon, as the Roos blew out the margin in the second half.

It wasn't the only big injury blow for the day. Disaster struck in the opening five minutes for Sydney, losing in-form ruck Ally Morphett to a knee injury, forcing a reshuffle of the magnets.

Jasmine Garner starred through the middle, finishing with a game-high 31 disposals and 10 clearances, while Tess Craven's slick movement on the wing resulted in 17 disposals and two goals.

Chloe Molloy tried her heart out to generate pressure and opportunity in the front half, but it was regularly in an outnumber with little support.

Dees respond to keep pace with Roos, Cats

MIA AUSTIN's three-goal performance helped Melbourne respond to its first defeat of the season with a 21-point win over Collingwood at Victoria Park on Sunday afternoon.

Austin led the way with three first-half goals, while Olivia Purcell collected a game-high 32 disposals. Paxy Paxman also celebrated her 100th AFLW game with 20 disposals and a victory.

Eighteen-year-old Dees midfielder Jordyn Allen also played an important role with 15 disposals and four tackles.

For Collingwood, Ash Centra was a standout performer. Despite the loss, she finished with 30 disposals, seven clearances and five tackles while also kicking a goal.

Tarni White collected 28 disposals, while Eliza James kicked the Pies' other major as they struggled to turn their opportunities into scoreboard reward.

Eagles break Derby duck in a thriller against Dockers

WEST Coast ended its Derby draught in stunning style, coming from behind to win its first ever AFLW clash against crosstown rival Fremantle by 12 points in a pulsating match at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Trailing by eight points early in the third term, West Coast booted the final three goals of the game in a fiery and physical clash, winning 5.9 (39) to 4.3 (27) and ending an eight-game losing streak against the Dockers.

Ella Roberts was the star with 22 disposals, 12 contested possessions and a crucial running goal in the third quarter, winning her second AFLW Derby Medal and declaring the Eagles never needed to hear again that they hadn't won an AFLW Derby.

Forward Amy Franklin was outstanding late, while Charlotte Riggs, Jess Rentsch and Zoe Wakfer were among many Eagles who stood up in big moments, with Keeley Skepper booting two goals, including the match-sealer.