Posted: 2024-09-22 05:55:06

AFLW juggernaut Adelaide have extended their unbeaten start to the season, crushing Essendon by 33 points at Unley Oval.

After being tested by the Bombers early, the Crows blew the game open with a four-goal second term to set up the 9.8 (62) to 4.5 (29) win on Sunday.

Danielle Ponter, Niamh Kelly and Caitlin Gould booted two goals each for Adelaide, while Madison Newman, Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard all collected 23 disposals to be the leading possession winners on the ground.

"I think we've just got so much more to come as well, which is exciting," Gould the Seven Network after the game.

Adelaide remains the only team with a perfect record after St Kilda's undefeated start to the season ended on Saturday with a 57-point belting by Hawthorn.

AFLW legend Erin Phillips, who starred in three premierships for Adelaide before finishing her decorated career at Port Adelaide, declared the Crows clear premiership favourites while in commentary.

The Crows will next renew their fierce rivalry with reigning premiers Brisbane when they travel to play the Lions at Springfield next Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Bombers' season is quickly turning into a nightmare after they secured a maiden finals berth last year.

Essendon slumped to 1-3 by losing to the Crows, and could finish the round only in front of Collingwood, Gold Coast and the Western Bulldogs.

Nothing has gone right for the Bombers since captain Bonnie Toogood suffered a serious knee injury in their opening-round defeat against Fremantle.

Maddison Gray (23 touches) and Madison Prespakis (22) fought hard for the Bombers against Adelaide, while Paige Scott popped up with two goals.

The Bombers are next in action on Friday when they host Melbourne at Windy Hill.

Swans hold off Giants in Sydney thriller

Sydney have held off cross-town rivals GWS in a pulsating finish to win their AFLW clash by three points.

Two days after the Swans won through to the AFL grand final, Cynthia Hamilton laid a crucial tackle inside the last minute and they held on 6.7 (43) to 6.4 (40).

Three goals were kicked inside the last two frenetic minutes at Henson Reserve on Sunday, with Sydney posting their second win of the AFLW season.

It is the second straight week that the Giants have been able to secure a close win, following last week's last-gasp draw with Gold Coast.

Hamilton had a big last term, kicking the first two goals to put Sydney up by 15 points after eight minutes.

But Zarlie Goldsworthy, who had to leave the field in the third term after she was crunched in a marking contest, kicked a goal three minutes later to keep it interesting.

Goldsworthy's accurate snap inside the last two minutes made it a three-point game.

An outstanding clearance by Montana Ham at the next centre bounce found Aimee Whelan, who marked and kicked what turned out to be the match-winning goal.

With 40 seconds left, Brodee Mowbray marked and goaled to bring the Giants back to within three points.

Then Eilish O'Dowd tried to break clear for GWS at the final centre bounce, only for Hamilton to lay her game-saving tackle.

Hamilton won a holding-the-ball free and Sydney ran down the clock for the win.

Laura Gardiner starred for the Swans with a game-high 32 possessions, while Sarah Grunden kicked her first two AFLW goals in the opening term to help spark Sydney.

Hamilton also finished with two goals, as did Goldsworthy and fellow Giant Alicia Eva.

Bec Beeson racked up 10 clearances for GWS in her 25-possession game, which also featured 428 metres gained.

Brisbane Lions comfortably take care of West Coast

The Brisbane Lions have clipped the wings of Daisy Pearce's Eagles, securing a 45-point win in Perth.

Jade Ellenger of the Lions is congratulated by Cathy Svarc with an embrace on the field

Jade Ellenger of the Lions is congratulated by Cathy Svarc after kicking a goal against the Eagles. (AAP: Richard Wainwright)

The defending premiers were never threatened on Sunday afternoon, holding the Eagles to just three behind through three quarters, before West Coast were able to kick two majors in the final term to put some respectability in the 8.13 (61) to 2.4 (16) defeat.

The Lions could have won by more, but wayward kicking at goal kept them in check.

Sophie Conway finished with 21 disposals and six inside 50s, but she only managed 1.5 in front of goal.

Ally Anderson was outstanding with 23 disposals and five tackles, while Jade Ellenger made her mark with 18 touches and two goals.

The Lions set up a mouth-watering clash next week with undefeated Adelaide, while West Coast will enjoy a seven-day break before tackling Greater Western Sydney at Henson Park.

Bulldogs get first win of 2024, Collingwood slump further

The Western Bulldogs have recorded their first win of the AFLW season, storming home to smash an injury-hit Collingwood by 42 points.

After beginning life under new coach Tamara Hyett with four straight defeats, the Bulldogs rallied at Victoria Park to pile more misery upon the Magpies on Sunday.

Trailing Collingwood by eight points at quarter-time, the Bulldogs slotted eight-straight goals to set up the 9.3 (57) to 2.3 (15) win.

It was the Bulldogs' first victory since they beat West Coast late last season — their only victory for the 2023 campaign.

Still without superstar Ellie Blackburn, the Bulldogs' younger guard stepped up and built on an encouraging performance against reigning premiers Brisbane last week.

Number one draft pick Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner enjoyed a breakout game, slotting the first goal of a career full of promise.

The 19-year-old capped off a special day for the Bulldogs when she snapped a goal-of-the-year contender from the pocket in the last quarter.

Bulldogs captain Deanna Berry was thrilled with the win.

"We've been building so much over the last few weeks, and every week we've just continually got better," she told the Seven Network.

"We wanted it today so bad.

"After Wednesday, playing the Lions, we knew that we had the confidence to come out really put on a good show.

"Those girls, they're working their butts off right now, and we're proving that we're going to be there soon.

"I'm just so proud of them."

The Magpies, who lost star Bri Davey (concussion) and Mikala Cann (suspension) since their last-start loss against West Coast, managed just one behind after the first break in a concerning performance for coach Sam Wright.

The result leaves Collingwood at 0-5 and on the bottom as the only AFLW team without any points this season.

Crafty forward Eliza James kicked both of the Magpies' goals.

AAP/ABC

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