THERE were some close and controversial finishes, as well as the very first draw of the year, so here's what happened in round three of the 2020 NAB AFLW competition.

Highest scoring match

• Richmond 2.8 (20) lost to North Melbourne 12.4 (76). Unfortunately for the Tigers, they make this category by dint of the fourth-largest loss in the short history of the AFLW.

Most disposals

• Jaimee Lambert (Collingwood), 32
• Karen Paxman (Melbourne), 26
• Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide), 25
• Emily Bates (Brisbane), 24
• Maddy Prespakis (Carlton), 24

Leading goalkicker for the round

• Danielle Ponter (Adelaide), 4

Overall leading goalkicker

• Sabreena Duffy (Fremantle), 5
• Jesse Wardlaw (Brisbane), 5

Injuries

• Deanna Berry (Western Bulldogs), concussion
• Sophie Conway (Brisbane), head
• Sinead Goldrick (Melbourne), concussion
• Ange Gogos (Western Bulldogs), knee
• Maddy Guerin (Melbourne), ACL
• Danielle Hardiman (North Melbourne), calf (late withdrawal)
• Dana Hooker (West Coast), throat knock
• Leah Kaslar (Gold Coast), head
• Akec Makur Chuot (Richmond), shoulder
• Aisling McCarthy (Western Bulldogs), nose/mouth

ST KILDA 3.1 (19) def MELBOURNE 1.8 (14)

• The match was not only St Kilda's first ever win in the AFLW, but it also marked the arrival of key forward Caitlin Greiser. Having played at Moorabbin during the VFLW season, the contested-marking, big-kicking Greiser took perfect advantage of the wind on several occasions.
• This could prove to be a very costly loss for Melbourne, dropping to fourth in a tight Conference B. Once again, goal-kicking accuracy was an issue. The Dees have kicked 8.20 this season, although two games were played in tough weather.
  
  

WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.6 (30) lost to CARLTON 8.3 (51)

• For the second week running, the Western Bulldogs lost but didn't die wondering, pushing Carlton until the final few minutes when the Blues kicked clear. Izzy Huntington's rebirth as a defender resulted in 15 disposals (14 kicks) and seven marks.
• This was a game driven by Carlton's young stars, with 20-year-old Georgia Gee (three goals), 19-year-old Madison Prespakis (24 disposals) and 18-year-old Lucy McEvoy (19 and one goal) all having big impacts.
  
  

GOLD COAST 4.4 (28) drew with BRISBANE 4.4 (28)

• What a way to kick off the QClash rivalry. Kalinda Howarth was on Brisbane's list for the 2018 season but didn't crack a game in a team which made the Grand Final. She was on the end of three goals for new club Gold Coast.
• The Lions have been a fast-finishing side in recent weeks, but only managed one point after half-time in a stellar defensive effort from the Suns. Brisbane key defender Kate Lutkins (22 disposals, 12 marks) was named best-afield.

FREMANTLE 5.3 (33) def COLLINGWOOD 4.6 (30)

• Fremantle didn't quite go on the scoring rampage we've seen over the past few weeks, but were instead incredibly efficient inside 50. Despite the count being 23-6 Collingwood's way at half-time, the Dockers were just five points behind.
• Collingwood absolutely dominated the raw disposal stats, recording 237 touches to Fremantle's 144. Eight of the top 10 disposal winners were Pies, with Jaimee Lambert (32 and one goal) leading the way.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 6.6 (42) def WEST COAST 2.2 (14)

• A ruthless GWS kept West Coast scoreless until the final term, with Alyce Parker (22 disposals), born-again Giant Bec Privitelli (three goals) and the returning Jacinda Barclay doing most of the damage.
• Unfortunately, it was another week of slim pickings for expansion side West Coast. Vice-captain Dana Hooker was once again comfortably her side's best until she was felled by an accidental boot to the throat, while Imahra Cameron is steadily adjusting to the pace of AFLW.

RICHMOND 2.8 (20) lost to NORTH MELBOURNE 12.4 (76)

• Richmond was comprehensively outplayed in the first half, out-scored 44 to four, but for Tiger fans looking for a positive, the second half was much closer. The margin was 16 points in the third and fourth quarters.
• Ash Riddell had an extraordinary first half for North Melbourne, running hard all over the ground to take 17 disposals into the main break. She slowed up in the second half, but the damage had been done.

GEELONG 6.2 (38) lost to ADELAIDE 8.1 (49)

• Geelong has traditionally struggled with hitting the scoreboard, but recorded its highest tally against Adelaide. The Cats cut the margin to just five points with a minute left, before defender Maddy McMahon was harshly penalised for a deliberate rushed behind.
• Ebony Marinoff and Danielle Ponter dominated the game for Adelaide, the former recording 25 disposals (17 contested), 12 tackles and 11 clearances. Forward Ponter has had a relatively quiet start to the year, pushing higher up the ground, but on the back of a return closer to goal booted four majors.