West Coast have withstood a late-term surge from Essendon to narrowly claim their second win of the AFLW season.

Fresh off a week of controversy after comments by coach Michael Prior following their 70-point loss to Melbourne, the Eagles found vindication by prevailing 3.5 (23) to 2.7 (19) in an arduous contest against the Bombers at Windy Hill on Sunday.

Prior had blasted the decision to pit strugglers West Coast against defending premiers Melbourne, saying: "How we play that team is beyond me. That is what you get when you get fixturing like that."

He later backtracked on the criticism, but the Eagles still will have taken on Essendon eager to redeem themselves.

Aisling McCarthy and Amy Franklin drew first blood for West Coast within the opening five minutes, while the hosts were kept goalless.

True to the old ground's name, both sides were dogged by blustery conditions.

The Bombers struggled for goals and scored only three behinds in the second term, when they Eagles didn't score.

Kellie Gibson broke the goal drought with the wind back on West Coast's side, kicking the only major of the third quarter.

The home side then exploded to life in the final term, with skipper Bonnie Toogood and Amber Clarke reducing the margin to four points.

Toogood continued to pepper the scoreboard but the Eagles held on to secure a rare victory.

"We've had a horror week back at home, and it's been really bloody tough on all of us and Mick as well. I'm just really proud of the girls," West Coast captain Emma Swanson told the Seven Network.

"I can name the whole team. Everyone had their second in the last couple minutes.

Skipper Swanson (25 disposals, eight clearances) stood out for the Eagles, while the Bombers' Maddy Prespakis (30 disposals, nine clearances) was typically prominent in the midfield alongside Georgia Nanscawen (21, six).

With two rounds left, West Coast have a chance to build their winning streak when they meet the bottom of the table Western Bulldogs next round.

Slipping one place to sixth, Essendon have must-win matches against Carlton and Gold Coast on the road to the finals.

The Bombers will be without Steph Cain, who was sidelined with a concussion after an elbow to the head from Swanson.

Magpies hold on for win over Cats at Victoria Park

Collingwood has earned a fifth win of the AFLW season, hanging on to beat Geelong by six points at Victoria Park. 

On a day of miserable wet and windy conditions in Melbourne, goals were at a premium. 

The Magpies created more chances and were able to convert enough before withstanding a late comeback from the Cats to come away with the win by 4.6 (30) to 3.6 (24).

The victory takes Steve Symonds' Magpies (5-3) to 20 points, comfortably inside the top eight and just one win and percentage outside the top four.

Collingwood have kicked things up a gear since beating the Brisbane Lions a fortnight ago.

"It's trust in roles. Everyone knows their role and [is] executing," ruck Sabrina Frederick told the Seven Network.

"It builds that trust up, and up and in Brisbane we did that perfectly."

Geelong, now sitting 4-4 and just inside the top eight, were left to rue a first half where they were held goalless.

Mikala Cann led the charge for the Pies, with 16 disposals, 12 contested possessions and a goal in the opening half.