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Geelong has won four AFLW matches in a row for the first time, beating West Coast by nine points to solidify their top-eight berth.
Key points:
- The Cats won 4.10 (34) to 4.1 (25) against the Eagles
- The Kangaroos clinched a 7.12 (54) to 4.5 (29) victory over the Power
- The Bombers got past the Swans 7.6 (48) to 7.2 (44)
Eagles midfielder Mikayla Western suffered a nasty injury in the last quarter of the Cats' 4.10 (34) to 4.1 (25) victory at Princes Park.
Western executed a perfect tackle on Claudia Gunjaca late in Saturday's match, but landed awkwardly and her left forearm took the impact.
Two trainers helped Western as she walked off the ground giving a thumbs-up, despite having her left arm in a sling.
Only inaccuracy stopped Geelong from enjoying a much more convincing win, with the Eagles hanging tough despite a 17-6 inside-50 count against them.
The Cats lie fifth with a 6-2 win-loss record and face a major test away next Friday night against third-placed Adelaide at Unley Oval.
The Eagles won the first clearance of the match and Ella Roberts gave them an ideal start with a quick goal.
But their next goal did not come until the third term as Geelong took full control.
Livewire Cats midfielder Georgie Prespakis returned from a two-match ban and starred with 21 disposals and 12 tackles.
Amy McDonald — who successfully overturned a one-match ban at the tribunal earlier this week — was also high among the Cats' best.
Nina Morrison had finger surgery last Monday but showed no ill effects, as she racked up 19 disposals.
One of the highlights of the match was the duel between dangerous Cats forward Chloe Scheer and Sophie McDonald.
Scheer kicked 1.3 in their entertaining duel, while the Eagles defender was high among their best.
When Scheer butchered a shot at goal in the last quarter, hitting the post, McDonald cheekily patted her on the back.
Melbourne goes equal top after thumping Suns
Melbourne have stamped their premiership credentials against finals contenders Gold Coast as they cruised to a 49-point triumph in Daisy Pearce's milestone match at Carrara Stadium.
The Demons (7-1) continued their charge toward a top-two finish with a masterclass in controlling the ball and territory on their way to a 9.4 (58) to 1.3 (9) victory on Saturday night.
There were ominous signs early for the Suns as the ball lived in the Demons' forward 50 through much of the opening term, although it took the visitors more than 10 minutes to slot their first goal.
That opener came from Pearce in her 50th match after the veteran outsmarted and out-marked Suns key defender Vivien Saad at the top of the goal square to spark the Demons.
The 34-year-old Pearce would go on to collect 11 disposals in another inspirational display that had her teammates cheering her name after the match.
It took the Suns until the last minute of the first term to even move the ball into their forward 50 as the Demons set up a wall that helped them finish with an incredible 45-9 inside 50 advantage.
The Dees also limited the Suns' opportunities by looking to maintain possession themselves, with Olivia Purcell (32 disposals), Lily Mithen (21) and Eliza West (19, 11 tackles) influential with their neat disposal.
Star key forward Tayla Harris made sure that the Demons made the most of their dominance with three goals, while Eden Zanker and Kate Hore each finished with two.
While the final score arguably flattered the Suns (4-4) it was crucial that they fought out the second half to prevent a blowout that would have further hit their percentage and therefore finals hopes.
Charlie Rowbottom battled hard to gather 18 disposals with 12 of them contested, along with nine tackles, as the Suns' young gun more than matched one of the top midfields in the competition.
Alison Drennan (20 touches), Claudia Whitfort (16), Lucy Single (16) and Lauren Ahrens (14) also stood out, while Jac Dupuy kicked the only goal for the Suns on a tough night.
The Suns will seek to rejuvenate their hopes of a top-eight finish when they host Carlton on Friday night, while the Demons will look to fine-tune before finals when they face Essendon on Sunday.
Roos triumph over Power
North Melbourne bolstered its top-four prospects, absorbing a stiff early challenge to secure a 25-point win over Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval.
Jasmine Garner (28 disposals, two goals) was typically brilliant for the Kangaroos in their 7.12 (54) to 4.5 (29) victory that shifts them to a 5-3 record.
Captain Emma Kearney's move into the middle after half-time — following an engrossing duel with rival skipper Erin Phillips in the opening two terms — was pivotal in helping the Kangaroos take control.
Behind the determined leadership of Phillips and Ange Foley — and reinforced by the return of spearhead Gemma Houghton – the Power looked switched on early.
The home side's terrific pressure created turnovers that helped establish a five-point quarter-time lead.
Garner managed a goal inside the first 90 seconds of the second term, before ruck Emma King sidestepped Hannah Dunn and finished spectacularly with a major.
The Power pinched back some of the momentum when debutant Lily Johnson slotted her first AFLW goal six seconds out from half-time.
Kearney was moved onto the ball after the main break and helped the Kangaroos finally get on top in clearances and inside-50s.
The fourth quarter was all the Kangaroos, with Alice O'Loughlin's second six-pointer putting an end to the Power's charge, before best-on-ground Garner added another goal to seal the win.
Bombers hang on to beat Swans
Essendon survived a scare against the winless Sydney to hold on for a thrilling four-point victory at Princes Park.
The Bombers had to overcome a stirring Swans start and withstand a determined comeback in the dying stages to secure their 7.6 (48) to 7.2 (44) triumph.
Sophie Alexander looked to have given the Bombers enough breathing space when she kicked a goal to make the margin 10 points with under four minutes remaining, but the Swans kept coming.
Sophie Hurley marked inside 50 metres and hurriedly took the set-shot to get the visitors within a goal with 43 seconds left on the clock, but the Bombers were then able to hang on and snap their four-match losing streak.
Maddy Prespakis again led the way for Essendon around the stoppages and gathered 22 disposals, while Jacqui Vogt (16) impressed on her return.
Stephanie Cain (15) and Amelia Radford (14) were also prominent, and Bonnie Toogood (14, one goal) was lively in the forward half.
The Swans will continue chasing their first AFLW victory when they next host Fremantle, while the Bombers face flag contenders Melbourne.
AAP