Hawthorn has kicked off its new AFLW era in style, surging to an impressive 38-point win over Carlton.

Meanwhile North Melbourne got some small revenge from its 2023 grand final defeat to Brisbane with a massive 44-point win over the Lions in Springfield.

In their first game under new coach Daniel Webster, the Hawks had to deal with difficult, windy conditions in Frankston.

But led by recruit Eliza West, the Hawks handled the wind better, while providing exciting glimpses of what was to come in a 9.12 (66) to 4.4 (28) win in front of 2794 fans.

The Hawks were hard around the contest and showed their willingness to run in waves and quickly move the ball by hand.

Former Demon West racked up the ball at will for Hawthorn, collecting 28 disposals (24 contested possessions) and 10 tackles with support from Tilly Lucas-Rodd (17 touches) and Casey Sherriff (two goals).

Irish guns Aileen Gilroy (16 disposals) and Aine McDonagh snared two goals apiece while Greta Bodey was a constant threat but kicked 1.4.

Abbie McKay (31 disposals, 10 clearances), Mimi Hill (21 touches) and Keeley Sherrar (18 touches) worked hard through the midfield for the Blues, while Mia Austin kicked two goals.

Carlton was dominant early with the first two goals of the game.

But the Blues spurned their wind advantage as quickfire goals to Irish Hawks McDonagh and Gilroy squared up the contest.

Hawthorn hit the front through super goals to Bodey and Gilroy, then burst away to a 20-point lead at half-time.

The Hawks should have walked the ball into an open goal early in the third term, but messed it up, keeping the door open for a Blues revival.

But newly appointed skipper Emily Bates shut the door when she twisted and turned away from two Carlton defenders before snapping a wonderful goal with the outside of her left boot.

It extended Hawthorn's advantage to 22 points at the final change.

Kicking with the wind in the final term, the Hawks put the foot down before Austin brilliantly curled home a consolation goal.

North Melbourne stormed to a statement 44-point win over reigning premiers Brisbane to claim bragging rights and early AFLW flag favouritism in their grand final rematch.

In brutal heat, North Melbourne's big guns stepped up to claim a drought-breaking 12.6 (78) to 5.4 (34) win on Sunday.

Incredibly, North had gone 0-5 in their previous encounters with Brisbane, including last year's 17-point grand final defeat — but a burst of six unanswered third-quarter goals ensured that wouldn't happen again.

In the process, the Kangaroos inflicted Brisbane's heaviest ever defeat, eclipsing Melbourne's 39-point win over the Lions in 2019.

North's midfield stars Jasmine Garner (28 disposals, six clearances, 17 contested possessions, one goal) and Ash Riddell (31 disposals, one goal) were typically brilliant, while captain Emma Kearney was superb off half-back.

Power forward Tahlia Randall was in everything, while Alice O'Loughlin and Bella Eddey kicked two goals apiece.

Brisbane star Ally Anderson (29 disposals, 15 clearances, 19 contested possessions) was a rare shining light for Craig Starcevich's charges, with some help from winger Sophie Conway.

The Lions lost Shanae Davison after she landed awkwardly on her right arm early in the game.

North's Irishwoman Vikki Wall (two goals) drew first blood, while O'Loughlin struck late as the Kangaroos kept Brisbane goalless in the opening quarter and took a 12-point lead into quarter-time.

Tempers flared when Wall tackled Shannon Campbell on the quarter-time siren and then flung her to ground.

Dakota Davidson and Taylor Smith gave the Lions a foothold in the game, but North took a 12-point lead into half-time.

But Riddell teed up Garner early in the term and the Lions appeared shell-shocked as North romped away from there.

The Kangaroos kicked the next five goals while keeping Brisbane scoreless for the quarter to lead by 49 at the final change.

North's score in the third quarter alone (37 points) surpassed their previous highest total match score against the Lions (33 points).

Anderson stopped the rot when she jagged the first goal of the final term, but the damage had been done.

AAP