Western Bulldogs 12.14 (86) d Carlton 2.1 (13)

Friday night at Whitten Oval

To say the Bulldogs beat the Blues would be an understatement. The daughters of the west comprehensively dismantled Carlton by an AFLW record 73 points in the first ever pride game.

There were concerns about what the absence of Katie Brennan would mean for the Dogs, but Brooke Lochland proved to be more than able to rise to the occasion. She kicked seven goals for the match, setting a new record for goals scored by an individual and smashing the previous record of four, which she equalled in a single quarter.

The contribution of Bonnie Toogood – who kicked three goals – and Aisling Utri – with 18 disposals – as well as the usual brilliance from Emma Kearney and Ellie Blackburn made the team in red, white and blue unstoppable.

No Bri Davey was always going to hurt and this was compounded by the Tayla Harris’ suspension. But to only score in one quarter and for that entire score to be kicked by one person in Lauren Arnell is dire.

Brisbane Lions 3.4 (22) d Fremantle 2.3 (15)

Saturday at South Pine Sports Complex

The phrase “old-fashioned wet weather footy” got quite the workout this weekend. In Brisbane, they dealt with rain and the heat policy was implemented in what was an understandably scrappy game.

The Dockers didn’t score a goal until the third quarter through Stacey Barr, by which time the Lions already had two majors on the board.

Jess Wuetschner scored two poacher’s goal in a fashion similar to that of a striker in round ball football; in the goal square, off the ground. Down the other end of the field, Kate Lutkins was immense with an equal game high 18 possessions.

For Fremantle, the usual suspects had plenty of the ball in Lara Filacamo, Kara Donnellan and Dana Hooker.

Ultimately the Lions were able to adapt to the conditions and make it work better than the Dockers.

Collingwood 9.4 (58) d Melbourne 3.6 (24)

Saturday night at TIO Traeger Park

The Dees and Pies were greeted with 37 degree weather for the first AFLW match held in Alice Springs. While the temperature was hot, Collingwood were hotter, notching up their first win of the season over the early premiership favourites.

Collingwood dominated for most of match in what was a much needed win. The Dees got off to a bright start on the scoreboard with goals to Kate Hore and Elise O’Dea. The second term was a different story with the Pies scoring three majors and, just as importantly, keeping the Demons scoreless.

Moana Hope was scoring plenty and the work of midfielders Steph Chiocci and Jaimee Lambert, in terms of possessions, and Brittany Bonnici, in the way she kept the ever dangerous Daisy Pearce quiet, was crucial to the win.

Greater Western Sydney Giants 2.7 (19) drew with Adelaide 2.7 (19)

Sunday at Blacktown International Sportspark

Rainy Sydney was the back drop for the first draw of AFLW season 2018 between the Giants and Crows.

The conditions affected the match greatly with marks hard to come by and play kept close to the ground.

Rebecca Beeson scored the first major of the match, before Courtney Cramey capped off her return with Adelaide’s first goal after missing the first three rounds through injury.

Scoring was kept to a minimum but it was the complete opposite for tackles with Ebony Marinoff breaking the record for most tackles laid in an AFLW match and a men’s AFL match with 21.

The Giants led by nine at the final break but a Ruth Wallace snap and a few behinds evened things up and caused the stalemate.

Alicia Eva is continuing to enjoy life as a Giant and dominated the contest with 23 disposals – the most of any player on the ground. GWS will also be monitoring ruck Erin McKinnon after she was carried off the ground with injury.