Richmond's 30-point AFLW defeat against red-hot Fremantle has been further soured by a suspected ACL injury to key defender Harriet Cordner.
Despite taking it up to the undefeated Dockers in the first-ever clash between the teams, the Tigers came off second-best in an entertaining contest at the Punt Road Oval on Saturday.
In a game packed full of dazzling goals, Fremantle extended their perfect record to 3-0, running away from the Tigers with five last-quarter goals to win 11.11 (77) to 7.5 (47) in hot conditions.
After leading by just 10 points at three-quarter-time with the game seemingly still in the balance, Fremantle put their foot down to finish with the second-highest score in the club's AFLW history.
The Tigers are the AFLW's most improved team this season but their bid for more wins will not be helped by Cordner's expected long-term absence.
The former Melbourne tall went down in the second quarter clutching her right knee in what seemed to be innocuous circumstances.
She took no further part in the game and will have scans to determine the damage.
Three of the AFLW's premier players — Bri Davey (Collingwood), Kate Lutkins (Brisbane Lions) and Isabel Huntingon (Western Bulldogs) — have already been ruled out for the season after suffering knee injuries in round one.
Midfielder Monique Conti continued her electric start to the season to again be the Tigers' best, while Kate Dempsey was another solid contributor for Richmond.
Reigning league best-and-fairest Kiara Bowers will be almost a lock for the three votes after collecting 28 touches and nine clearances for Fremantle.
Kara Antonio and Gemma Houghton both kicked two goals for the Dockers in an impressive attacking display.
Fremantle are facing an extended stay in Victoria due to the Western Australian government's decision to keep the state's borders closed.
The Dockers are scheduled to play Collingwood in a mouth-watering round-four match at Victoria Park, while the Tigers will travel to the Gold Coast for a Friday night contest against the Suns.
Harris powers Demons to win over Saints
Star forward Tayla Harris has helped AFLW premiership contenders Melbourne survive a massive scare from St Kilda, running away from the brave Saints by 41 points.
Winless and still without their best player Georgia Patrikios, St Kilda were given virtually no chance of victory at Casey Fields.
But the Saints pushed Melbourne hard for three quarters, with the Demons keeping their undefeated start to the season alive by storming home to prevail 9.10 (64) to 3.5 (23).
Scores were locked at 23-all at three-quarter time, but Melbourne capitalised on finishing with the breeze to slot six unanswered goals.
Harris, who was playing in her third game for the Demons after her off-season move from Carlton, put Melbourne back in front before an opportunistic Lauren Pearce goal put the result beyond any doubt.
Harris finished with three majors and could have comfortably finished with two or three more had she kicked straight.
Reigning Rising Star winner Tyla Hanks helped blow the margin out late, booting two goals, including one just seconds before the full-time siren.
As well as Harris's heroics, Melbourne were well-served by veteran Karen Paxman, Sarah Lampard and Libby Birch.
"[Coach] Mick [Stinear] just let us know [at three-quarter-time] it's our time to take control, particularly in the midfield," Harris told Fox Footy.
"We decided the game's not over and we're not going to give up so we just needed to reset and start again.
"I feel fit, happy and everything's going really well for me."
Tilly Lucas-Rodd was St Kilda's most consistent contributor, while Molly McDonald, Jacqui Vogt and Nicola Xenos looked threatening up forward.
Two-time best-and-fairest winner Patrikios remains away from St Kilda after declining to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Fellow young Saints star Tyanna Smith is also out for the season as she recovers from ACL surgery in November.
Melbourne will need to improve ahead of next Saturday's blockbuster clash with two-time AFLW premiers Adelaide at Norwood Oval.
That game shapes as a potential grand final preview, with the Crows determined to avenge last year's loss in the decider against the Brisbane Lions.
The Saints will fancy their chances of securing a breakthrough win for new coach Nick Dal Santo when they host fellow strugglers West Coast next week.
Crows grind out AFLW win against Eagles
AFLW premiership fancies Adelaide have taken care of a plucky West Coast unit by 33 points in sweltering conditions.
Playing a home game at Richmond's Swinburne Centre, due to Western Australia's border closure, the winless Eagles took it up the Crows for more than a half.
But the class of established stars Ebony Marinoff and Erin Phillips stood out as Adelaide prevailed 6.6 (42) to 1.3 (9).
After losing last year's grand final to the Brisbane Lions, the Crows are again well-placed for a shot at winning their third premiership.
The only concern was a foot injury to Anne Hatchard, with the dual premiership midfielder assessed by medical staff in the last quarter.
Adelaide will be desperate to have Hatchard and captain Chelsea Randall -- who missed the clash with the Eagles due to a hamstring injury -- available for next week's blockbuster potential grand final preview against Melbourne.
West Coast started in promising fashion, with an Aimee Schmidt goal ensuring the Eagles trailed by just a point at the first break.
But the Crows gradually ground West Coast down, with Marinoff starring with 23 possessions in her role as acting captain in the absence of Randall.
Phillips collected 18 possessions and a booted goal, while youngster Eloise Jones impressed with 20 touches and one major.
"It was a really tough contest, the scoreline doesn't show the quality of the game," Phillips told Fox Footy.
"West Coast are a fantastic side and were hard all day
Surprise packet forward Ashleigh Woodland continued her brilliant start to the season, adding two goals after booting eight majors in the opening two rounds.
The Eagles were well-served by Mikayla Bowen, Dana Hooker and Aisling McCarthy.
The Crows were buoyed by some supporters who had travelled to Melbourne from Adelaide for Pride round.
"It's so special, personally it's special and for the community it is too," Phillips said.
"The rainbow Crows (group) came all the way over here to support us and it's really special and close to my heart, so hopefully a lot of people saw us wear these colours and were proud of us."
West Coast will remain in Melbourne for the immediate future, as they prepare to tackle St Kilda in a winnable game at Trevor Barker Oval next week.
AAP
