Brisbane Lions have returned to form after last week's shock loss to Richmond, beating expansion side Essendon by 44 points to go back to the top of the AFLW ladder.

The previously-unbeaten Lions were stunned by the Tigers at Punt Road Oval in round five, losing in a tight, low-scoring match by four points.

They restored order at home against Essendon, and were never threatened in a 8.14 (62) to 3.0 (18) victory.

The players showed renewed intensity against the Bombers, with Brisbane dominating the first half, putting together 15 scoring shots to none.

The extent of the home side's control of the game came in the stats, with the Lions having 27 inside 50s to just two for Essendon, plus 18 clearances to seven and 13 tackles inside 50 to none. 

However the Lions' inability to take their chances — including four shots hitting the post — saw them go in at the main break leading by only 30 points, 3.12 to no score.

The Lions went on with the job in the second half, kicking another two goals to start the third quarter, to lead by 42 points.

It was a struggle for the Dons, and it took until the 14-minute mark of the third term for Joanne Doonan to kick a set shot from close range to get her team on the board.

The Bombers continued to lift, and Maddy Prespakis took advantage of a holding-the-ball call to boot the team's second before three quarter-time.

But the Lions were not content to let the quarter run out, and in the final 30 seconds they went forward again, for Cathy Svarc to run in and drill the ball through on the siren to get the lead back to 36 points at the final change.

Catherine Phillips got the first goal of the final quarter with a long-range effort for Essendon, but Zimmorlei Farqharson and Greta Bodey answered for the home side, who finished with a seven-goal win.

Demons surge clear of Dockers 

Melbourne have overcome a Kiara Bowers masterclass to post a 30-point AFLW win over Fremantle at Fremantle Oval.

Bowers tallied 26 disposals, 12 tackles and a goal to give her side a chance of pulling off an upset win on Sunday.

The Dockers had two opportunities early in the final quarter to snatch the lead, but their misses proved costly as Melbourne kicked the last four goals of the match to secure the 10.6 (66) to 5.6 (36) win.

Demons forward Kate Hore was crucial in the victory with three goals, two of which came in the last term when Melbourne made the most of a strong breeze.

Former Docker Sabreena Duffy kicked two goals, including a spectacular banana from the pocket late in the match.

Demons midfielder Olivia Purcell finished with 26 disposals and a goal, while Tyla Hanks racked up 21 disposals.

The win ensured Melbourne (5-1) stayed equal top of the ladder alongside the Brisbane Lions, Adelaide and Collingwood.

Fremantle's finals hopes are now all but over after posting just a win and a draw from the opening six rounds.

Demons star Tayla Harris booted the opening goal of the match and then produced a mark-of-the-year contender when she jumped over two players to take a superb floating grab in defence.

Melbourne captain Daisy Pearce kicked a goal and set up another in the first half.

But it was Bowers who was the dominant player on the field, tallying 18 disposals, four clearances, eight tackles, five inside 50s and a goal by the long break.

Hore booted her first goal of the match in the opening 17 seconds of the third quarter to make it an 18-point margin.

But majors to Amy Franklin and Hayley Miller cut the gap to just five points at three-quarter time.

Gabby O'Sullivan had the chance to put Fremantle ahead when she received a 50m penalty early in the final period.

But her kick against the strong breeze was wayward, and Melbourne made full advantage by slamming through the next four goals.

North claim record win over Swans

Sydney coach Scott Gowans has received a painful reminder of what was cruelly ripped away from him after his side suffered a 66-point AFLW loss to North Melbourne.

The Kangaroos dominated Sunday's match at Punt Road from start to finish, with the Swans' sole score coming late in the first quarter.

North Melbourne's previous biggest win was their 62-point triumph over Geelong in 2021.

Two goals in the final minute from forward Tahlia Randall ensured the Kangaroos set a new record.

The 9.13 (67) to 0.1 (1) win catapulted North (4-2) from eighth to fifth, and improved their percentage from 132.5 to 189.6.

Randall finished the match with 3.3 from 11 disposals.

Ashleigh Riddell racked up 25 disposals, Jasmine Garner booted 2.1 from 17 possessions, and Garner also tallied 10 tackles in a huge display.

Gowans was surprisingly sacked by North Melbourne in 2020 despite guiding the club to 11 wins from his 14 games in charge.

Although his fledgling and winless Swans were never expected to challenge the powerful Kangaroos, the extent of the defeat was painful.

Sydney were starved of opportunities throughout the contest.

On the rare occasions when they got within goal kicking range, Swans players were tackled to the ground or harassed into making an error.

Kangaroos big Emma King set the tone early with a mark on the goal line, and Riddell had the ball on a string in the first half.

North Melbourne's inaccuracy didn't really matter given their utter dominance.

The only question was whether they could post a club-record win, and Randall stood tall in the final minute to deliver the goods.

North won the inside 50m count 41-17, clearances 27-19, contested possessions 105-84, and hit-outs 37-16.

ABC/AAP