Collingwood have registered their first win of the AFLW season, defeating Fremantle by 21 points on Sunday.
Led by superstar captain Brianna Davey, the Magpies never trailed at Victoria Park, keeping the Dockers scoreless in the first and third terms.
Nell Morris-Dalton was Collingwood’s only multiple goal-kicker, with two, as the Magpies prevailed 7.4 (46) to 3.7 (25).
Fremantle refused to throw in the towel, winning the last quarter despite the game being played mostly in their defensive half.
Davey was brilliant with 19 disposals and a crucial goal, Aishling Sheridan (21 possessions) had one of her best games for the Magpies, while fellow star Britt Bonnici (20 possessions) put in another top performance in her comeback from an ACL injury.
Former league best-and-fairest winner Kiara Bowers could not have done anything more for Fremantle, finishing with a game-high 23 possessions and 18 tackles.
Later on Sunday, North Melbourne comfortably defeated Carlton 10.6 (66) to 1.0 (6), Melbourne thumped GWS 15.9 (99) to 3.4 (22), while Essendon claimed a two-goal win over St Kilda 6.4 (40) to 4.4 (28)
Hawthorn secure narrow win over Bulldogs
Hawthorn has survived an AFLW arm-wrestle to post a seven-point victory over the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat.
Exploiting an injury-riddled Bulldogs side, the Hawks pipped their opponents 6.10 (46) to 5.9 (39) to snatch their first win of the season — and second-ever AFLW win.
Kirsty McLeod created a fiery start for the Bulldogs by kicking two majors but her efforts went to waste, with the side unable to capitalise on a hard-earned five-point lead at quarter-time.
The Hawks dominated with fast ball movement in the corridor to deliver perfect service to the capable hands of Gaelic football converts Aine McDonagh (one goal, 11 disposals) and Aileen Gilroy (one goal, nine disposals).
Emily Bates (22 disposals, three clearances) was dangerous for the Hawks, while skipper Tilly Lucas-Rodd (21 disposals, five clearences) led from the front and kicked their first goal to put her side on the scoreboard.
But the Bulldogs were unwilling to give up, winning four more contested possessions to start the second half after losing the count by five in the opening two quarters.
A string of goals by former number-one draft pick Gabrielle Newton, Sarah Hartwig and Brianna McFarlane gave the Bulldogs a 10-point lead.
Ex-Brisbane premiership player Greta Bodey (two goals, 11 disposals) answered the Bulldogs to keep Hawthorn alive, kicking her first goal in Hawks’ colours to reduce the margin to three points.
With fatigue setting in, the Bulldogs lacked the composure to withstand the Hawks’ signature pressure as Bridie Hipwell added another major.
Another goal to Bodey sealed the win despite a relentless fight from Bulldogs skipper Ellie Blackburn (20 disposals, nine clearances), Isabelle Pritchard (26 disposals, five clearances) and Jessica Fitzgerald (19 disposals, three clearances).
AAP
