ESSENDON livewire Daria Bannister kicked two goals, including one which will feature on highlight reels for years to come, to ensure the Bombers capped their inaugural campaign in style.

The Bombers finished as the best of the expansion clubs with a 27-point victory against fellow newcomers Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval on Sunday.

After a dour first half in driving rain, the superior skill and work-rate of the Bombers came to the fore once the sun broke through as they ran away with the round 10 encounter, 5.7 (37) to 1.4 (10).

POWER v BOMBERS Full match coverage and stats

It was a fitting conclusion to a promising first season for the Bombers.

A 4-6 win-loss record leaves them 10th on the ladder with a percentage of 98.6, having beaten Hawthorn, Sydney, the Power and West Coast.

04:22

AFLW S7 Highlights: Port Adelaide v Essendon

The Power and Bombers clash in round 10 of the 2022 NAB AFL Women's Competition

The Power will also take plenty of lessons from their first season, playing a better brand of football than a team finishing 17th with one win, eight losses and one draw would suggest.

Bannister's outrageous second-quarter goal, a check-side from hard from the right pocket with rain pouring down, lit up an otherwise scrappy first half.

00:41

Bannister bends back beauty in GOTY contender

Daria Bannister kicks a stunning goal in difficult conditions to extend the lead for Essendon

The skills of both sides improved as the sun emerged after the main break, but the Bombers had too many weapons.

Midfield gun Maddy Prespakis led the Bombers with 24 disposals and received great support from Georgia Gee (14), Jacqui Vogt (13) and Paige Scott (13).

00:51

Bombers get another after brilliant Bonnie finish

Bonnie Toogood shows all her skills with a terrific goal to start the third quarter

Jacqui Yorston (22 disposals), Abbey Dowrick (21) and skipper Erin Phillips (20) were the best for the Power, who lost star forward Gemma Houghton before the game due to a quad injury.

The game was delayed late in the fourth quarter when Bombers player Lily-Rose Williamson was stretchered from the field after a strong tackle from Port's Maria Moloney. The teenager was later taken to hospital for assessment on a neck complaint, but coach Natalie Wood said Williamson was in good spirits.

00:59

Essendon young gun stretchered off following awkward tackle

Lily-Rose Williamson is assisted off the ground after this tackle involving Maria Moloney

Did you see that?
Supporters watching at home would have struggled to see the first half due to the torrential rain in Adelaide. The host broadcaster's TV cameras featured plenty of water on the lens as the rain poured down, making it difficult to view the play. Fortunately, the weather gods came through after the break and allowed the game to open up, and for spectators at the ground - and those across the country - to have a more pleasant view.

Work in progress
Coach Lauren Arnell will have plenty to build on for next year. The Power unearthed several promising youngsters, including Hannah Ewings, Abbey Dowrick and Alex Ballard, and they will add another with the top selection from the SA draft pool. They will also be hoping to get a fit Gemma Houghton next season, after the All-Australian forward was restricted to four games this campaign due to injury.

00:43

Port on the board after brilliant Hammond finish

Cheyenne Hammond gets the Power their first with a classy finish

PORT ADELAIDE    0.1      0.3      0.3      1.4 (10)
ESSENDON             1.2      2.2      3.6      5.7 (37)

GOALS
Port Adelaide: Hammond
Essendon: Bannister 2, Clarke, Toogood, Alexander

BEST
Port Adelaide: Dowrick, Phillips, Yorston, Levicki, Ewings, O’Dea
Essendon: Prespakis, Vogt, Bannister, Cain, Gee, Scott

INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Nil
Essendon: Williamson (TBC)

LATE CHANGES
Port Adelaide: Houghton (quad strain), replaced by Julia Teakle
Essendon: Williamson (neck)

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 2,096 at Alberton Oval