Sydney have bolstered their AFLW credentials by defeating foundation club Collingwood by 15 points in the season opener.

With scores level at the main break, the Swans produced a four-goal third-quarter flex to set up an 8.2 (50) to 4.11 (35) victory in front of 5489 fans at North Sydney Oval on Friday night.

Swans co-captains Chloe Molloy (two goals) and Lucy McEvoy (one goal, 17 possessions) led from the front as the hosts overwhelmed their opponents with quick ball movement.

Ball magnet Laura Gardiner (23 disposals) was outstanding in the contest, well-supported by Sofia Hurley (15) and Breanna Tarrant (nine intercept possessions).

Sydney coach Scott Gowans issued a warning to rivals following their win.

"We're an outside running team, and if you're going to play us, bring your runners, because you're going to have to run," Gowans said.

The win by Sydney, in their third AFLW season, gives new Magpies coach Sam Wright much to think about.

Former North Melbourne utility Wright was handed the reins after Collingwood parted ways with Steve Symonds in November following a disappointing 11th-placed finish in 2023.

"We haven't put a ceiling on what we want to achieve," Wright said.

"This year, we're more focusing on building sustainability throughout our system and throughout our culture.

"So there's there's no expectations, and I think that's a great part about this year."

Brit Bonnici (24 touches) was a shining light for the Magpies while skipper Bri Davey watched from the sidelines after failing to prove her fitness following an off-season ankle reconstruction.

Sabrina Frederick also impressed in the ruck for the Magpies and took 25 hit-outs to 13 against All-Australian star Ally Morphett, who was returning from a foot injury.

Molloy gave Collingwood debutant Mureiann Atkinson a baptism of fire after marking directly in front of goal to kick the opening major of the AFLW season.

Grace Campbell replied quickly for the Magpies but McEvoy slotted another to build a four-point lead at the first break.

Collingwood rallied to dominate territory in the second term but wasted chances in front of goal, kicking 1.4 to 1.0 to level the scores.

Campbell momentarily stole the show after Sydney's Tanya Kennedy sent the ball with a thundering kick directly into the Magpies forward's face from point-blank range.

The 28-year-old was able to return to play.

But Collingwood's Tarni White faces a nervous wait after a high bump left Maddy Collier, in her first game since rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament last year, concussed.

Atkinson was also ruled out with concussion when her head clashed with Molloy's at the other end just minutes later.

Both hits sparked brawls at either end of the ground.

Molloy shrugged off the collision to slot her second goal of the evening, helping launch Sydney to a 23-point lead in the third term.

Wright shuffled the magnets for the final quarter and sent full-back Stacey Livingstone forward.

The move paid immediate dividends, with Livingstone scoring her first goal in 67 matches before Alana Porter reduced the margin to 10 points.

But an after-the-siren goal from Bec Privitelli restored Sydney's margin to 15.

West Coast coach Daisy Pearce was happy to cop a "Gatorade shower" after watching her side blow a big lead before fighting back to snatch a dramatic one-point AFLW win over Richmond. 

The Eagles led 33-9 early in the third term of Friday night's match, but four unanswered goals from Richmond put the visitors in front with just three minutes remaining.

At that point, it looked as though the start of the Pearce era at West Coast would end in heartbreak.

But there was one more twist to come, with Eagles speedster Abbygail Bushby powering the ball forward following a teammate's dropped mark to find a running Kellie Gibson at the top of the goalsquare with just over a minute remaining.

Gibson nailed the goal with 43 seconds left on the clock, lifting West Coast to the 6.4 (40) to 5.9 (39) win at Perth's Lathlain Park in front of 2166 fans. 

West Coast players mobbed Pearce out on the field after the win, showering her with their drinks while they sang the team song in what marked a special start to her tenure.

"I'm not sure that I'm meant to go in the song and get a Gatorade shower," Pearce said with a laugh.

"It was a nice moment, but over and above, it was nice for me to see them have (that feeling).

"I know that they haven't been able to have that kind of reward of winning as much as they would have liked."

Pearce, who was a premiership-winning star at Melbourne, said winning as a coach was slightly different to the feeling she experienced as a player.

"It's probably a bit more pride (as a coach), because it wasn't me that went out there and did it or contributed to doing it — it was them," she said. 

"So you just sit back in awe of their resilience and effort. Pride is the over-riding emotion."

West Coast had won just eight games across their five completed seasons.

They are now a perfect one-from-one under Pearce.

Eagles midfielder Jess Hosking, who was delisted by Richmond at the end of last year, was crucial against her former side with two goals from 12 disposals. 

Isabella Lewis (19 disposals, 340m gained), Ella Roberts (20 disposals, three clearances) and Charlotte Thomas (24 disposals, 509m gained) were also prominent for West Coast, who were missing captain Emma Swanson (groin).

For Richmond, Monique Conti (30 disposals, five clearances, 584m gained) was best afield, while Grace Egan racked up 22 possessions and six clearances.

West Coast forward Amy Franklin kicked off Friday night's match with a powerful mark and a booming 45m set shot.

Hosking added a second for West Coast to give the home crowd something else to cheer about.

It helped set up a five-goals-to-one opening half for West Coast, but Richmond dominated after the break to storm back into the contest.

Emelia Yassir put Richmond ahead after catching Belinda Smith holding the ball, but West Coast had the last laugh through Gibson.

"We got this gift tonight, we walk away with the win and belief," Pearce said.

"There'll be some great lessons out of the couple of minutes when we were fighting one way or another."

AAP