Caitlin Greiser kicked a match-winning goal with just 72 seconds on the clock to deliver Richmond a gripping five-point victory over Essendon in the AFLW Dreamtime classic at TIO Stadium in Darwin on Sunday night, in front of a crowd of more than 4000 fans. The result capped a dramatic round of football that also saw Melbourne hand Brisbane the heaviest defeat in the Lions' AFLW history, while Carlton moved to a perfect 3-0 record and Geelong gutted out a brave win despite a triple injury blow.
Tigers turn Dreamtime into glory with last-gasp finish
Richmond looked beaten at half-time, trailing Essendon by 14 points and struggling to generate the attacking spark needed to overhaul the Bombers. The Tigers' third quarter changed everything — they piled on three goals to reduce the deficit to just one point heading into the final term.
The last quarter was a war of attrition, with neither side able to score a goal until the dying moments. Then Beth Lynch launched a long kick forward, Katie Brennan collected the crumbs from a dropped mark and fired a handball to Greiser — who was perfectly positioned at the top of the goal square to slot the winner and spark jubilant scenes on the Darwin turf.
The Dreamtime concept carries deep cultural significance, and the occasion once again delivered a contest worthy of the occasion, with both clubs giving their all across four hard-fought quarters in the Northern Territory heat.
Melbourne hammer Brisbane to hand Lions their worst-ever AFLW loss
At Casey Fields, Melbourne produced a commanding performance that the Demons' supporters had long been waiting for. Brisbane kicked the opening goal, but from that moment the match belonged entirely to Melbourne — the Demons reeled off the next 12 goals in a stunning run of dominance to win 14.5 (89) to 4.9 (33), a 56-point margin that stands as Brisbane's heaviest defeat in AFLW history.
The result was particularly sweet for Melbourne, which had won the 2022 premiership against Brisbane but then lost every single subsequent encounter with the Lions over the following three seasons. Sunday's match snapped that unwanted run emphatically.
Liv Purcell was outstanding with 31 disposals, supported by Tyla Hanks, who amassed 24 disposals, eight tackles and a goal, while Kate Hore contributed 24 disposals and Tahlia Gillard anchored the defence with 11 intercepts. Up forward, Ryleigh Wotherspoon was the standout with three goals and eight tackles, while Georgia Gall, Mia Austin and Megan Fitzsimon each bagged two majors.
Brisbane's afternoon was made even more miserable by a string of injuries. Marlow Graham (concussion) and Neesa Dooley (collarbone) went off in the first quarter. Belle Dawes and Ruby Svarc then collided with each other, with Dawes suffering a right shoulder complaint and Svarc sustaining a concussion. Dawes played through the pain to finish with 24 disposals and a goal, while Sophie Conway and Eleanor Hartill also battled through left knee and foot issues respectively. Despite the carnage, Orla O'Dwyer managed 21 disposals in a losing side.
Carlton perfect; Port Adelaide win marred by Tahau injury scare
Carlton are establishing themselves as genuine title contenders after hanging on to defeat Fremantle by six points, 7.6 (48) to 6.6 (42), and move to an unblemished 3-0 record. The Blues looked safe leading by 13 points with two minutes remaining, but a late Gabby O'Sullivan goal had Fremantle surging. Kiara Bowers, who had been enormous all day with 27 disposals, five clearances and 11 tackles, had the chance to close the gap to a single point from 30 metres out in the final 30 seconds — but her shot drifted wide. Carlton held on, leaving Bowers to rue a 0.3 return from set shots despite her dominant overall performance. Fremantle drop to 1-2.
In Canberra, Port Adelaide's four-point win over GWS at Manuka Oval was overshadowed by a serious injury concern for star forward Indy Tahau, who was helped from the field with a right knee injury late in the third quarter. Tahau had previously torn her left ACL, making the latest setback particularly alarming. Coach Glenn Strachan said the club was hoping for the best while the assessment continued.
The match itself was tight throughout. GWS surged in front after Brodee Mowbray goaled twice to overturn Port's nine-point three-quarter-time lead. Port ultimately prevailed when Matilda Scholz — who finished with 30 hit-outs and 24 disposals — took a crucial intercept mark to set up a late attack, and Lauren Young marked and kicked the winner with seconds remaining. Piper Window contributed three goals for Port, while Alyce Parker led GWS with 21 disposals.
Geelong tough it out; Hawthorn down Collingwood; a jumper clash to forget
Geelong showed tremendous character under new coach Mick Stinear, defeating Gold Coast 10.4 (64) to 8.9 (57) at People First Stadium despite losing Emma Kilpatrick, Priya Bowering and Piper Dunlop to game-ending injuries. With the Suns closing to within one point early in the final quarter, star midfielder Georgie Prespakis — who finished with a massive 33 disposals, eight clearances, nine tackles and 408 metres gained — and forward Chloe Sheer, who booted three goals, lifted the Cats to victory. The result moves Geelong to 2-1 in Stinear's first season at the club after his decade-long stint coaching Melbourne.
Hawthorn claimed their second win of the season with a 28-point victory over Collingwood at Victoria Park. Irish forward Aine McDonagh was again in fine touch, kicking three goals to take her AFLW career tally to 59, while ruck Lucy Wales was productive with 23 disposals and 22 hit-outs. A dominant four-goal-to-one third quarter proved the difference, with Jasmine Fleming's brilliant right-foot finish from deep in the pocket a highlight of the match.
The round was not without controversy off the field, with North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs drawing widespread criticism for taking the field wearing almost identical jumpers in their Saturday fixture — a lamentable oversight that had fans and commentators questioning how the clash was allowed to proceed.
