The Brisbane Lions have maintained its unbeaten start to the AFLW season and made a huge statement in a 15-point comeback win over fellow flag contenders Melbourne.
The Demons kicked the opening three goals in a scintillating start against the Lions.
But Ally Anderson (21 disposals) and Jesse Wardlaw (two goals) helped the Lions fight back to post a 6.6 (42) to 4.3 (27) victory on Sunday at Casey Fields in Melbourne.
The result put the Lions back on top of the ladder as one of just two unbeaten teams after four rounds, along with the second-placed Western Bulldogs.
It was Melbourne's first loss of the season after an impressive start.
The Demons won the previous meeting between the sides — a thriller in last season's preliminary final — and kicked the first three goals inside eight minutes on Sunday to earn a 19-0 head-start.
Brisbane responded and made it a slugfest in wet conditions as Wardlaw twice pounced in goal-mouth scrambles to poke home the Lions' first two goals.
It trimmed the margin to four points by half-time and there was just one kick in it after Zimmorlei Farquharson scrubbed through another goal for the Lions just before three-quarter time.
Sophie Conway roved a marking contest and ran into an open goal to put Brisbane in front for the first time as they ran away with the result, kicking three unanswered majors in the final term.
Emily Bates (16 disposals, four clearances), Cathy Svarc (11, six), Isabel Dawes (12, six) and Conway (17, two) were all outstanding for the Lions.
Lily Mithen (23 disposals), Karen Paxman (21) and Tyla Hanks (16, one goal) were busy for Melbourne and Kate Hore finished with two goals.
Magpies go down to Crows
Collingwood co-captain Steph Chiocci's late snapshot flew wide as the Magpies recorded their first loss of the season in a five-point defeat to Adelaide.
The Magpies were searching for a fourth straight victory and gave the Crows a huge scare at Victoria Park on Sunday.
But the reigning premiers overcame some wayward kicking and a late surge from the home side to hang on for a 2.9 (21) to 2.4 (16) win.
Collingwood almost claimed a share of the spoils despite being outplayed for most of the day.
The Magpies lost the inside-50 count 36-15 but peppered the goals in the final few minutes.
Chloe Molloy kicked a point and Ruby Schleicher managed just one behind from her two set-shots within range, before Chiocci squandered a last-ditch opportunity that would have levelled the scores.
Chiocci's hurried right-foot kick around the body missed to the near side.
A relieved Adelaide survived, posting a third consecutive victory after its season-opening defeat to Melbourne.
The Magpies had just one of the first 10 inside-50s of the game but held a narrow lead at quarter time, with Molloy booting the only goal of the first term.
The Crows hit back in the second quarter, kicking 2.2 to 0.0 with goals to Ashleigh Woodland and Abbie Ballard giving them an 11-point advantage at the main break.
Mikala Cann's goal dragged the Magpies closer during the third term and Niamh Kelly kept the Crows in front with a desperate lunge in the defensive goal square.
But the Irish defender dislocated her right shoulder in the process and played no further part in the game.
Neither side managed a goal in the final quarter wet conditions made scoring difficult.
History was made in the Crows' win when three female field umpires — Eleni Tee, Gabby Simmonds and Jordyn Pearson — officiated in the same AFLW fixture for the first time.
Tigers pip Bombers
Richmond overcame an early deficit to win a thrilling Dreamtime game against Essendon at North Port Oval.
The Tigers held out a surging Bombers by two points — 3.8 (26) to 3.6 (24) — in a clash that was on the line right into the final minute in wet and windy conditions.
Monique Conti had 15 possessions and laid nine tackles She also kicked a telling goal from a brilliant snapshot near the boundary line early in the third quarter.
It seemed the Tigers had done enough to win with a six-point lead at three-quarter time and kicking to the southern end with the wind in the last term.
But the Bombers threw everything at them in a bid to snatch a late victory. When Amber Clarke's quick kick bounced through the unguarded goal, it cut the Tigers' lead to just one point with 68 seconds left.
At the crucial centre bounce, significantly, it was Conti who won the ball and the clearance to spear a pass to Sarah Hosking that virtually iced the game.
Hosking had played a critical role in the Tigers' triumph, limiting Essendon's brilliant midfielder Maddie Prespakis to just 11 possessions while collecting 14 touches herself.
AAP
