Casey Demons players celebrate the win against the Saints. Picture: AFL Photos

Western Bulldogs 3.4.22 defeated by Williamstown 5.8.38

A strong second-half showing by Williamstown handed them a 16-point win over the Western Bulldogs. The Seagulls led all day in a tight tussle at Whitten Oval, but broke away in the third term kicking two goals to one and never relinquishing the lead.

Williamstown was able to keep the Dogs to just one goal in the opening half off the back of some impressive defence. Ash Melnikas was impressive for Williamstown tallying 16 tackles and gathering 16 disposals in the midfield. Gabby Biedenweg-Webster kicked two goals in a hard-running display.

AFLW-listed player Bailey Hunt led all disposal getters on the ground with her 25 in her return from a calf injury. Dogs Captain Riley Christgoergl was as reliable as ever for her team picking up 18 disposals.

Geelong 3.5.23 defeated by Port Melbourne 6.3.39

Port Melbourne continues its unbeaten start to the season with a 16-point win over Geelong. After a tough first quarter Port managed to keep the Cats to just one goal in three quarters.

Former Murray Bushranger and Vic Country representative Sophie Locke continued her fine form in front of goals, kicking three for the Borough. The Port Melbourne midfield was well serviced by Alice Edmonds who had 38 hit outs in the ruck, Luka Lesosky-Hay benefitting from the service with 23 disposals and three clearances.

Cats young gun Paige Sheppard racked up the disposals again, finishing with 25. AFLW pair Maddy Boyd and Steph Williams had their best showing for Geelong, Boyd winning 16 disposals and laying eight tackles, while Williams kicked a goal and had an impressive 11 tackles.

Casey Demons 6.6.42 defeated Southern Saints 2.5.17

Casey Demons made it two in a row after a dominant second half handed them a 25-point win over the Southern Saints. Casey’s slow starts continued with the Demons held goalless by the Saints in the first quarter. The Dees, however, brought the deficit back to just one point at half-time and after the main break kicked four unanswered goals to take victory.

Eliza West was best afield with 28 disposals and 11 clearances for Casey. Niamh McEvoy again dominated the scoreboard with two goals and 16 disposals.

Tara Bohanna kicked a goal and won plenty of the ball all around the ground for the Saints, while fellow midfielder Rebecca Neaves led the disposals with 20.

Carlton 8.4.52 defeated North Melbourne 6.8.44

A four-goal haul by North Melbourne forward Brooke Brown wasn’t enough to get the Roos over the line against Carlton. The Blues shot out of the blocks with three goals in the first quarter, but only led by a single major at half-time. North Melbourne registered seven scoring shots in the final quarter, but Carlton held on for the eight-point win.

Courtney Jones was instrumental for Carlton, kicking two goals and winning plenty of the footy. She was well supported by Akayla Peterson who kicked a goal of her own and finished with a team-high 19 disposals.

North’s midfield worked hard to generate plenty of opportunities for their forwards. Sarah Skinner and Katelyn Cox combined for 10 inside 50s, but Alexia Hamilton was the best of the lot with her 28 disposals and a goal.

Essendon 10.10.70 defeated Darebin 0.3.3

Essendon kept Darebin goalless and piled on 10 majors of their own to run away 67-point winners over the Falcons. Darebin’s only scores came in the third quarter, while the Bombers had 20 scoring shots of their own and seven different goal kickers in the triumphant win.

Second-gamer Grace Dicker played well off half-back and seamlessly combined with Georgia Nanscawen. Nanscawen again dominated the possessions with 29 and also the tackle count, laying nine. Dicker was explosive and had a goal to go with her 16 disposals. Alana Barber was one of Essendon’s best for a third week in a row, kicking two goals and racking up 25 disposals.

It was a dismal day for the Falcons but they well serviced by Georgia Lawson-Tavan with 20 disposals in defence. Rachel Hibbert and Stephanie Simpson were also among the best for Darebin.

Collingwood 3.10. 28 defeated Hawthorn 2.1.13

Collingwood remains unbeaten after overcoming Hawthorn in a low-scoring affair. The two teams traded blows in the opening term until the Pies upped the pressure, keeping the Hawks goalless for the final three quarters. Despite inaccuracy the Pies held on against the turning momentum in the last to be 15-point winners at home.

AFLW-listed player Abbi Moloney broke the scoring deadlock with a goal in the third quarter. Maddie Shevlin showed off her pace gathering 22 disposals, and Marla Neal and Caitlin Bunker were great at the stoppages.

Hawks captain Meg Hutchins stood up, providing one of the moments of the match with her boundary set-shot goal that gave her team some belief late in the game. Lauren Szigeti and Chloe O’Malley combined in the midfield for 21 and 19 disposals respectively.