A landmark milestone turned bittersweet for North Melbourne veteran Emma Kearney in AFLW round eight, as the 37-year-old was forced from the field with a suspected hamstring injury during her 100th career game — while across the competition, St Kilda slumped to an equal-record low score that has thrown coach Nick Dal Santo's future firmly into question.

Kearney's milestone day marred by hamstring scare

It was supposed to be one of the great days in Kearney's celebrated career. The former Kangaroos captain was brought to tears during her 100-game milestone presentation earlier in the day, embracing teammates and family in emotional scenes before the match against Sydney.

But the occasion took a painful turn in the fourth quarter when Kearney pulled up sharply while chasing the ball, clutching her left hamstring. She limped off the field with a trainer at her side, casting a shadow over what had otherwise been a memorable occasion.

The injury is a significant concern given Kearney has battled recurring hamstring problems over the past 18 months, and with only a month of home-and-away football remaining before finals, the timing could hardly be worse for the Roos.

Saints set equal-lowest score in AFLW history — Dal Santo under fire

The most alarming result of the round came out of Ballarat, where St Kilda managed just a single point in a 3.13 (31) to 0.1 (1) loss to the Western Bulldogs — matching the equal-lowest score ever recorded in AFLW history.

Ashleigh Richards' minor score with under a minute remaining spared the Saints from the ignominy of becoming the first side in competition history to go scoreless entirely. But that solitary point did little to shield coach Nick Dal Santo from mounting scrutiny, with St Kilda now the only winless team in the competition at 0-8.

Wet and blustery Ballarat conditions played a role, with the Saints unable to capitalise when playing with the wind, while the Bulldogs scored early before defending stoutly in the adverse-wind terms. Still, the manner of the defeat has intensified questions from supporters and commentators about whether the three-time All-Australian — who played 322 games across St Kilda and North Melbourne as a player — remains the right person to lead the Saints' AFLW program.

Port Adelaide topple arch-rivals in front of home crowd

On Saturday night, Port Adelaide Power claimed a vital 14-point victory over the Adelaide Crows at their Alberton Oval home ground before a crowd of 5,441 fans. Abbey Dowrick led the Power with 23 disposals and added a goal, while Gemma Houghton produced a composed set shot from the right boundary in the first half that stood as one of the game's highlights.

For the Crows, Ebony Marinoff was relentless in the contest, racking up 16 tackles, while Chelsea Biddell and Grace Egan each tallied 21 disposals. Despite the win, Port Adelaide's low percentage leaves them in 12th position, though they remain just a win and percentage away from the top eight.

Suns make history with first-ever win over Lions

In a historic result for the Gold Coast Suns, the club recorded its first-ever victory over the Brisbane Lions, saluting by 20 points at Brighton Homes Arena in Ipswich. A highlight-reel goal from Lucy Single — who fended off a defender before slotting truly from the boundary in the second quarter — was among the best individual moments of the AFLW season so far.

The Suns kicked three unanswered final-term goals to seal the win. Star midfielder Charlie Rowbottom was outstanding, finishing with 36 disposals, nine clearances, six tackles and a goal, while Single contributed 30 possessions alongside her stunning major.

The victory cements the Suns' growing status as one of the competition's rising forces heading into the final month of the home-and-away season.