Greiser's late goal seals Richmond's AFLW Dreamtime thriller over Essendon as Melbourne wallops Brisbane by 56 points

Caitlin Greiser kicked a match-winning goal with just 72 seconds remaining to hand Richmond a heart-stopping five-point victory over Essendon in front of more than 4,000 fans at TIO Stadium in Darwin on Sunday night, delivering one of the most dramatic results of the AFLW season in the annual Dreamtime classic. Meanwhile, at Casey Fields in Melbourne, the Demons handed Brisbane the heaviest defeat in Lions AFLW history — a brutal 56-point shellacking that underlined just how far the competition has shifted this season.

Dreamtime classic delivers in Darwin

Richmond trailed by 14 points at half-time and looked in serious trouble, but the Tigers clawed their way back through a determined third quarter in which they kicked three goals to reduce the deficit to a single point. The final term was a tense, scoreless war of attrition — until the decisive moment arrived.

Beth Lynch launched a long kick forward, Katie Brennan gathered from a dropped mark and fired a handball to Greiser at the top of the goal square. Greiser converted, the Tigers celebrated, and Essendon was left to rue what might have been in a match that will be talked about for some time in AFLW circles.

Melbourne hands Brisbane a historic hiding

Brisbane kicked the opening goal at Casey Fields, but that was about as good as it got for the Lions. Melbourne responded with the next 12 consecutive goals and never let up, running out winners 14.5 (89) to 4.9 (33) — the biggest loss Brisbane has ever suffered in AFLW competition.

The victory was built on a dominant team performance. Liv Purcell was outstanding with 31 disposals, Tyla Hanks contributed 24 disposals, eight tackles and a goal, and Kate Hore added 24 touches of her own. In defence, Tahlia Gillard was superb with 11 intercepts. Up forward, Ryleigh Wotherspoon led the charge with three goals and eight tackles, while Georgia Gall, Mia Austin and Megan Fitzsimon each finished with two majors.

Brisbane's afternoon was further complicated by a string of injuries. Marlow Graham (concussion) and Neesa Dooley (collarbone) were hurt in the opening quarter alone. Belle Dawes suffered a right shoulder complaint and Ruby Svarc a concussion after the pair collided, yet Dawes played through the pain to finish with 24 disposals and a goal. Sophie Conway and Eleanor Hartill also battled through physical issues. Despite the carnage, Orla O'Dwyer finished with 21 disposals in a battling Lions display. The result gives Melbourne a perfect 3-0 start to the season. For context on how Brisbane opened their AFLW campaign, the Lions began the season with a very different result.

Carlton hold firm; Port Adelaide win marred by Tahau injury scare

Carlton improved to a perfect 3-0 record with a hard-fought six-point win over Fremantle, though they were made to sweat for it. The Blues held a 13-point lead with two minutes remaining before Gabby O'Sullivan brought the Dockers within striking distance. Kiara Bowers — who was immense all day with 27 disposals, five clearances and 11 tackles — had a chance to close the gap to one point with 30 seconds left, but her running shot from 30 metres drifted wide. Carlton held on, 7.6 (48) to 6.6 (42), leaving Bowers to reflect on a frustrating 0.3 return from set shots.

At Manuka Oval in Canberra, Port Adelaide's hard-fought four-point win over GWS — 7.10 (52) to 8.0 (48) — was overshadowed by a serious injury concern. Star forward Indy Tahau, who had previously torn her left ACL, was helped from the field late in the third quarter with a right knee injury. Port coach Glenn Strachan described Tahau as a great player for the club and said she was still being assessed, hoping for the best.

The contest itself was dramatic to the end. GWS hit the front through two late Brodee Mowbray goals at three-quarter time, but Port's Matilda Scholz — who finished with 30 hit-outs and 24 disposals — took a terrific intercept mark to swing possession back. Lauren Young then marked and kicked the winning goal with seconds to spare. Piper Window booted three goals for Port, while Alyce Parker had 21 disposals for GWS.

Geelong defy injury toll; Hawthorn down Magpies; the jumper clash that turned heads

Geelong survived a triple injury blow to defeat Gold Coast by seven points, 10.4 (64) to 8.9 (57), at People First Stadium. Emma Kilpatrick, Priya Bowering and Piper Dunlop all suffered game-ending injuries, yet the Cats were carried home by an extraordinary performance from Georgie Prespakis — 33 disposals, eight clearances, nine tackles and 408 metres gained — and three goals from Chloe Sheer. The win moved Geelong to 2-1 under new coach Mick Stinear, who spent a decade at Melbourne before taking charge of the Cats.

At Victoria Park, Hawthorn claimed a 28-point victory over Collingwood, their second win of the season. A four-goal-to-one third quarter proved the difference. Aine McDonagh continued her brilliant start to the season with three more majors, taking her AFLW career tally to 59, while ruck Lucy Wales contributed 23 disposals and 22 hit-outs in another commanding performance for the Hawks.

Away from the results, an eyebrow-raising jumper clash grabbed attention on Saturday when North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs took to the field in strips so visually similar that teammates and opponents were virtually indistinguishable in aerial contests — a lamentable oversight that drew widespread criticism from fans and commentators alike, and one the league will no doubt be keen to address before the next time these sides meet.