SEESAWING contests and surprising victories headlined an action-packed round three. Melbourne stumbled at Fremantle Oval against the Dockers, who continue to rectify their disappointing start to the season, while the reigning premiers welcomed back superstar, Erin Phillips, who got her side over the line for their first win of the year. At Ikon Park, Lion Nat Exon ran amuck against her old side, who struggled without captain Brianna Davey. For the Pies, they sit winless at the bottom of the ladder, and are under pressure to kick-start their 2018 campaign. 

Carlton vs. Brisbane

#1: Emily Bates- Brisbane

Absolute bull. Worked well under pressure. Nearly beat three Carlton players to the ball at one point.

#2: Nat Exon- Brisbane

Got plenty of the ball throughout the night and kicked a ripper goal to sink her old side. Her best game in Brisbane colours.

#3: Jamie Stanton- Brisbane

Brilliant performance. 18 disposals including 14 kicks. Knows how to use the footy.

#4: Ally Anderson- Brisbane

Ball magnet as usual. 16 disposals, in which 10 of them were kicks. So smart with the ball in hand.

#5: Nicola Stevens- Carlton

Aggressive as usual. Imposed on the ball with 13 disposals.

#6: Kate Lutkins- Brisbane

Smart in defence and good run-and-carry. Never rushes her kick.

#7: Shae Audley- Carlton

Tackling was outrageous! 10 tackles to go with 10 disposals isn’t a bad night out.

#8: Jess Wuetschner- Brisbane

She’s the person you’d want kicking for your life from the boundary. Kicked a ripper at the beginning of the third quarter.

#9: Breann Moody- Carlton

Stood tall in defence and took three early marks. Has a booming kick and a great ability to smother the footy.

#10: Sophie Li- Carlton

Was proactive in defence. Didn’t stop trying all night. Deserved a goal but couldn’t convert on what should’ve been a gimme.

#11: Sophie Conway- Brisbane

Opened up the play by playing along the boundary and wider parts of the ground. Took four impressive grabs and kicked two goals.

#12: Maddison Gay- Carlton

Really good pressure player. Showed intent throughout the whole game. A third-quarter clearance exposed us to her immense pace.

#13: Kerryn Harrington- Carlton

Got plenty of the ball in defence. Her best game for the year.

#14: Katie Loynes- Carlton

Good, hard running all game. Such an aggressive player.

#15: Sabrina Frederick-Traub- Carlton

Was all over the ground. Took some killer marks, just not in the forward line.

#16: Brittany Gibson- Brisbane

Kicked a good left-to-right goal. Was active with the footy, collecting 12 disposals.

#17: Danielle Hardiman- Carlton

Calm and composed in defence. Straight down to business after taking a mark, always looks for the best option.

#18: Emma Zielke- Brisbane

Solid captain’s game again. Only nine disposals but laid five tackles. Really wanted to get involved in the pressure side of the game.

#19: Sharni Webb- Brisbane

Had 14 disposals but could not kick a goal. Tried hard all night.

#20: Leah Kaslar- Brisbane

Played really tight on Tayla Harris and kept her quiet. Forced her up the ground. Made Harris frustrated, as she gave away two free kicks in quick succession.

Adelaide vs. Western Bulldogs

By Connor Ferris 

#1: Erin Phillips- Adelaide

Unbelievable in her first game of the season. Played a huge part in getting the Crows on the board, kicking four goals from six opportunities. Dangerous with ball in hand all day, constantly creating scoring chances, and intimidating the Bulldogs defence.

#2: Ebony Marinoff- Adelaide

Great game across the board, with over 20 possessions. A number of those set the Crows up for forward attacks. Displayed relentless pressure, and was the leading tackler on the ground, laying an astounding 15 of them! One of the best players of the day.

#3: Chelsea Randall- Adelaide

Terrific contest with Katie Brennan when she pushed up into the midfield. Leading possession-getter on the ground with 24, and stood up when it mattered most.

#4: Monique Conti- Western Bulldogs

Solid game in all areas of the ground. Accumulated 15 possessions, and put in a tremendous effort in the final minutes, but could not quite get the Dogs over the line.

#5: Emma Kearney- Western Bulldogs

Opportunistic first goal. Should have had more than just one, missing two shots on goal later in the game. Was a key contributor for the Dogs.

#6: Ellie Blackburn- Western Bulldogs

Played a great game with 17 possessions and a behind, but just couldn’t snag a major. Provided good run through the midfield, and looked dangerous up forward.

#7: Brooke Lochland- Western Bulldogs

Continued what has been a terrific start to the season. The small forward took advantage of the opportunities coming her way with 16 possessions and a goal.

#8: Georgia Bevan- Adelaide

Quiet day at the office numbers-wise, but was still able to have an impact on the game. She laid six tackles, including a clutch tackle in the dying minutes to set up the winning goal.

#9: Katie Brennan- Western Bulldogs

Played her way into the game after a slow start. Ended up kicking two goals, but overall was held in-check well by the Crows defence and midfield.

#10: Sarah Perkins- Adelaide

The early move into the middle of the ground allowed her to find some form after a disappointing first two games. Moved back up forward in the second half, and registered a minor score.

#11: Jenna McCormick- Adelaide

Continued to build on what has been a good start to the season. Kicked two goals for the Crows from her seven possessions.

#12: Sarah Allan- Adelaide

Good composure down back to fend off a number of the Bulldogs’ scoring opportunities. Provided a tough contest across the back-line.

#13: Aisling Utri- Western Bulldogs

Got off to an excellent start with a lot of the ball early, including a goal in the first term. Was held down well for the remainder of the game.

#14: Tiarna Ernst- Western Bulldogs

Spent some time in the ruck throughout the day but was beaten by Rhiannon Metcalfe. Racked up eight possessions for the day through moving around the ground.

#15: Hannah Scott- Western Bulldogs

Another good outing down in defence, which was under constant pressure. Laid a number of tackles, and showed good composure with ball in hand.

#16: Marijana Rajcic- Adelaide

Played a solid game with 11 possessions. Impactful in a number of key moments down the stretch to set up a victory.

#17: Angelica Gogos- Western Bulldogs

So aggressive around the contest. Gogos was the Bulldogs’ leading tackler, with 10 for the day.

#18: Rheanne Lugg- Adelaide

Presented a strong target, taking three marks. Accumulated eight possessions, and showed positive signs through her effort around the contest.

#19: Dayna Cox- Adelaide

Was reported in the first quarter for a hit on Ellie Blackburn. Physicality was on display all day, and was something that seemed to inspire her teammates. 

#20: Rhiannon Metcalfe- Adelaide

Got the better of the ruck battle throughout the day with 25 hit-outs, a number of those to advantage. Not much impact outside of the ruck contests, with only three touches.

Collingwood vs. GWS

By Taylah Melki

#1: Courtney Gum- GWS

She had a stellar game with plenty of possessions, and a goal-saving smother in the second quarter. Showed great desperation and commitment, going hard at the footy and putting her body on the line. Her tackling was intense, yet she had great composure in front of goal, slotting two majors.

#2: Alicia Eva- GWS

Her kicking game was on show with 20 of her 23 touches being kicks. She had clean hands and showed great poise and decision-making with ball in hand. Great on-field leader.

#3: Amanda Farrugia- GWS

The captain was unstoppable once again with 15 disposals. She racked up 10 kicks for the game which were long, penetrating and accurate. Her intensity and aggression around the ground was felt, laying six tackles and imposing herself in the contest.

 #4: Emma King- Collingwood

She took plenty of good contested marks around the ground, and imposed herself on the contest throughout the match.

 #5: Brittany Bonnici- Collingwood

Skilful use of the footy, and slotted an extraordinary goal in the first term. She used her speed and agility throughout the game to manoeuvre herself into dangerous positions and rack up plenty of the footy.

 #6: Phoebe McWilliams- GWS

Dominant in front of goal and used the footy cleanly and accurately. Showed good awareness and skill with ball in hand. Took good contested marks and showed plenty of composure, slotting the match-winning goal.

 #7: Jaimee Lambert- Collingwood

Great on-field leader. Got plenty of disposals and displayed good decision-making. Dished the ball off cleanly to teammates. Impressed again for the Pies, racking up 19 disposals.

#8: Jessica Dal Pos- GWS

Her tackling intensity was up, laying six tackles for the match. She made her physical presence felt with her 11 touches, and used her poise to control the flow of the game. Good speed.

#9: Emma Grant- Collingwood

Belter of a first quarter, as she imposed herself on the contest from the outset. She tackled aggressively and chased down opponents, placing pressure on GWS. Got plenty of the ball with 12 touches.

 #10: Jacinda Barclay- GWS

Showed great composure to score an important goal late in the last quarter. Scrummed hard to win the contested ball and provide opportunities for teammates.

 #11: Stephanie Chiocci- Collingwood

The Collingwood captain stood tall again, bagging an important goal in the first quarter. She had clean hands around the footy, and kicked the ball with penetration.

#12: Chloe Molloy- Collingwood

Starred in the last quarter providing plenty of run and carry, helping to break up the congestion on the field. She also took a few intercept marks and racked up 14 touches, with 11 of those being kicks.  

 #13: Aimee Schmidt- GWS

She was accurate in front of goal. Helped to spark the onslaught for GWS with her forward pressure and leads to the footy. Hit the contest hard on the ground and in the air.

#14: Elle Bennetts- GWS

Her tackling pressure was intense, laying four tackles for the game. Got involved and competed for the ball in and around the contest.

#15: Meg Hutchins- Collingwood

She was her ever-reliable self, taking important intercept marks and racking up 11 touches. Good on-field leader for the Pies.

 #16: Moana Hope- Collingwood

She found some impressive form after being dropped from the team. She slotted two skilful goals; one around her body and another dribbling through the goals. Her bag of tricks was on display with clean pick-ups and classy finishes.

#17: Cora Staunton- GWS

Imposed herself in contests and fought hard to try and win the contested footy. Copped a nasty hit to the face but played out the rest of the match, showing her mental and physical toughness.

#18: Jess Duffin- Collingwood

Ran hard and opened up space for the Pies. Supported her teammates, through providing them with leads and options. Scored an important goal late in the third quarter.

 #19: Christina Bernardi- Collingwood

Got herself into space and contested for the ball. She made her physical presence felt laying three big tackles. Showed great speed.

#20: Amelia Barden- Collingwood

Clean pick up of the footy. Good footwork to move herself around opponents.

Fremantle vs. Melbourne

By James Halley

#1: Kara Donnellan- Fremantle

Great eyes in traffic to be able to spot teammates in space. Took responsibility and went to Pearce to try and nullify her impact in the last quarter. Took the match-saving mark in the dying seconds, which shows why she was named captain of the Dockers.

#2: Daisy Pearce- Melbourne

Showed Dusty-like traits with a ‘don’t argue’ on a Fremantle opponent! Dominated the middle of the ground with a game-high 24 disposals. A complete captain’s game.

#3: Lisa Webb- Fremantle

She had the skill and composure to convert a set shot in the third term on a relatively hard angle. Continued to impress in her debut season, with 17 disposals and four marks.

#4: Ebony Antonio- Fremantle

She is not scared to go back with the flight and take a gutsy mark. Puts her head over the ball in the contest. Has a great set shot for a defender, and kicked a beautiful goal in the second quarter.

#5: Emily McGuire- Fremantle

She has a fantastic goal-sense and showed tremendous skill on debut. Finished with two goals for the game, and created a buzz in the forward line. She had free reign inside 50, and showed Richelle Cranston-like attributes. 

#6: Karen Paxman- Melbourne

Wasn’t just influential in the middle of the ground, but was also able to go forward and take a contested mark, and convert from close range. Good intercept marker, and great intent on the ball. She was buzzing around the packs.

#7: Tegan Cunningham- Melbourne

Able to manhandle her opponents to get her hands on the ball. Being 186cm tall and having a basketball background gives her a supreme advantage over her opponents. She also has a good goal-kicking technique. She is able to chip in the ruck, which is very valuable for the Demons.

#8: Dana Hooker- Fremantle

Began where she left off last week with a lively start. Made an impact in the contest and racked up 13 possessions.

#9: Evangeline Gooch- Fremantle

She has great speed, and executed some impressive run-down tackles in the first quarter and second quarters. Appeared to be everywhere, and contributed nicely on the day.

#10: Katherine Smith- Melbourne

She has good rebounding speed and a penetrating kick. Was very determined to find the footy, and looks like she is benefiting from complementing Bianca Jakobsson in the back-line. 

#11: Cassie Davidson- Fremantle

Great pace and acceleration shown throughout the day. Did the little things right. Racked up 12 disposals, of which 11 of those were kicks.

#12: Shelley Scott- Melbourne

Her effort could not be questioned, as she showed impressive intent all day. Accumulated 11 possessions. Her tackling was a highlight for the Dees, laying seven for the day.

#13: Elise O’Dea- Melbourne

Impressed again with 11 disposals, and did the job that she needed to do. A rare brain fade for her in the dying minutes, as she rushed and missed an easy shot on goal.

#14: Melissa Caulfield- Fremantle

She beat Jakobsson inside 50 to kick an amazing goal in the final quarter. Has immense speed and class, and showed that to kick her third goal of the season.

#15: Hayley Miller- Fremantle

Miller has a huge kick, and can mimic Tayla Harris’ scissor kick! A promising 16 disposals for her in another great outing for the Dockers.

#16: Richelle Cranston- Melbourne

Loves to take her opponents on and break through tackles. Had a big influence on the match, with her big body being a roadblock for Melbourne.

#17: Aliesha Newman- Melbourne

She has great explosive speed, and has the ability to push her opponent under the ball. She is hard to catch, which was evident with her soccer goal in the third quarter.

#18: Kate Hore- Melbourne

She lead up to the ball all day, and took some nice marks on the lead. Never gave up and kept presenting.

#19: Stephanie Cain- Fremantle

She puts the team first, and loves the one percenters. She has a team-first attitude, and loves to tackle and smother.

#20: Amy Lavell- Fremantle

In the third term, she had good skill and composure to finish nicely with a goal on her left foot.