GREATER Western Sydney fired a warning to the rest of the competition that last year's rise up the ladder was no fluke, although injuries to key players Brooke Lochland, Rhiannon Metcalfe and Jasmyn Hewett soured the AFLW practice matches played on Saturday.
Fremantle marquee player Kiara Bowers played her first (practice) AFLW match after missing several years with knee issues, while plenty of debutants impressed.
Geelong 7.4 (46) defeated Carlton 7.2 (44)
Carlton's plan to play Brianna Davey forward in 2019 got its first tick of approval, with the Blues skipper kicking four goals in the club's narrow loss to Geelong at IKON Park.
Making a successful return from a ruptured right ACL sustained early last year, Davey played the entire game as the fast-finishing Blues fell by two points.
Ex-Greater Western Sydney forward Phoebe McWilliams was the star for the Cats, kicking four goals and taking a series of strong marks to put the visitors in the ascendency.
Top draft pick Nina Morrison was lively for Geelong, showcasing her dash across the field, while fellow early selection Madison Prespakis was among Carlton's best.
Geelong skipper Melissa Hickey didn't play as she continues her recovery from a left ACL injury suffered last year, with Carlton spearhead Darcy Vescio also sat out.
Blues midfielder Sarah Hosking left the field in the third quarter after a head knock, while star forward Tayla Harris finished with ice on her shoulder as a precaution after a heavy collision.
North Melbourne 9.2 (56) defeated Melbourne 4.10 (34)
Expansion club North Melbourne has been highly rated over the off-season and its class shone through against an inaccurate Melbourne in a 22-point win at Casey Fields in Melbourne's outer-south-east.
Midfielder Ash Riddell – who is captain of the club's VFLW-aligned side Melbourne University – was a clear stand-out in a star-studded line-up and will turn some heads this season.
Her VFLW teammate Sophie Abbatangelo kicked two goals, as did former Magpie Moana Hope.
Experienced AFLW campaigners Britt Gibson and Kate Gillespie-Jones were also strong in defence, with Gillespie-Jones also swinging into the midfield.
The Roos got through the match unscathed.
The Demons came out firing early but will be ruing poor kicking for goal, having 14 scoring shots to the Kangaroos' 11.
Speedy forward Kate Hore kicked two goals, with Alice Springs draftee Jordann Hickey and co-captain Shelley Scott also hitting the scoreboard.
"Fatigue set in a little bit and we just went away from doing the fundamental things that we’re really after in our game style," Melbourne defender Harriet Cordner told melbournefc.com.au.
"That is a big learning to come out of it – when we play our game style, we make it easier for each other, we’re predictable and things flow on."
Greater Western Sydney 11.9 (75) defeated Brisbane 4.4 (28)
Greater Western Sydney played five "quarters" of footy against Brisbane Lions (to get as much playing time as possible), comfortably winning by 47 points at Leyson Park, Yeronga.
The Giants were a bit slow out of the blocks, with Lions draftee ruck Lauren Bella making an impact early, feeding the ball to classy midfielders Emma Zielke and Emily Bates.
As the game wore on, the young untried midfield duo of Haneen Zreika and Alyce Parker's strong contested work wore down the Lions.
Irish forward duo Cora Staunton (three goals) and rookie Yvonne Bonner (one) proved a handful, while Aimee Schmidt bobbed up for three goals.
Alicia Eva didn't play due to a shoulder injury, Tait Mackrill missed with a bruised knee, while Jacinda Barclay was unavailable due to work.
Brisbane used the practice match as an opportunity to rotate players and try some in new positions.
Midfielder Ally Anderson found the ball plenty of times, while defender Sam Virgo played her first AFLW match (albeit a practice game) since tearing the ACL in her right knee in September, 2017.
West Australian draftee McKenzie Dowrick looked assured playing across half-forward and kicked the Lions' second goal, while new captain Leah Kaslar battled hard in an under-the-pump defence.
Western Bulldogs 5.5 (35) defeated Collingwood 4.4 (28)
The Western Bulldogs will be hoping for good news after last season’s AFLW leading goalkicker Brooke Lochland suffered a right ankle injury.
The Dogs are waiting on scans, with a diagnosis expected later on Monday.
Co-captains Katie Brennan (playing her first AFLW game since undergoing a right ankle reconstruction) and Ellie Blackburn (playing the first half only) led the way, with the Dogs in front at all breaks in the game at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.
A critical goal from midfielder Ellyse Gamble – who missed the entire 2018 AFLW season with an ankle injury – sealed the deal for the Dogs.
Collingwood's pacey Irish recruit Sarah Rowe – who has been impressing at training and will be one to watch in the season – kicked two goals.
She may need to brush up on a few rules, however, after she snapped a "goal" after the ball hit the goalpost and bounced back into play.
Early draft picks Jordy Allen (selection five) and Katie Lynch (11) impressed, with Allen looking to fill in down back for Chloe Molloy, who is out for the season with a right foot injury.
Lynch played as a key forward, while former Australian netball captain Sharni Layton played forward and in the ruck.
Adelaide 9.4 (58) defeated Fremantle 5.8 (38)
Adelaide is sweating on the results of scans for rucks Rhiannon Metcalfe and Jasmyn Hewett. Metcalfe suffered a left knee injury in the second term while tackling a player and was stretchered off the ground.
Hewett then became primary ruck until she too suffered an injury, landing awkwardly on her right ankle at the opening centre bounce of the last quarter.
Anne Hatchard (who played defence in 2018 but looks leaner and set for a midfield role this year), Jess Foley and rookie Maisie Nankivell then rotated through the ruck for the rest of the game, played at TIO Stadium, Darwin.
Forward Chloe Scheer, whose AFLW career was delayed as she recovered from a knee reconstruction, looked a class above in kicking two goals.
After the game, the Crows confirmed Chelsea Randall and Erin Phillips would be co-captains for the third season running.
A revamped Fremantle forward line including experienced defender Ebony Antonio and Gemma Houghton (two goals apiece) caused the Crows some problems, but the Dockers couldn't get the ball often enough.
Docker Sabreena Duffy had a fascinating battle with fellow early draftee Nikki Gore, while rookie Angelique Stannet and draftee Parris Laurie got plenty of the ball.
The Dockers will be thrilled Kiara Bowers got through the match unscathed, her first in the purple in three years. Her excellent disposal and pace will add another element to Fremantle's midfield.
