It was the split-second brain-fade that left a Saint in tears.

St Kilda winger Molly ­McDonald went from hero to heartbreak at Moorabbin on Sunday as the Saints fell just one-point short of undefeated Fremantle.

With just 1.40 left on the clock and the Saints up by a goal, McDonald carried the ball over the line on the attacking 50 arc, giving the Dockers what should have been a free kick under the last touch rule.

Watch every match of the 2020 NAB AFLW Season LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

But she was left to rue her decision to place the ball on the ground for her opponent Kate Flood to collect, rather than hand it to her, gifting the Docker a 50m penalty and shot at goal.

Dockers star Gemma Houghton secured a vital point soon after to land the victory.

McDonald’s devastation was evident post-game, with the 19-year-old ­virtually inconsolable.

“She’s hurting,” coach Peta Searle said.

“She’s pretty upset. But how was Molly after the goal she kicked? I said ‘mate, you kept us in the game’.”

Adding insult to injury was an error on the scoreboard at the ground, meaning the Saints players still thought they were up by a point before they realised with less than 30 seconds remaining that they still had to win the game.

media_camera A 50m penalty was paid against Molly McDonald, which helped Fremantle to a late win. Picture: AAP

Searle said while the free kick was paid to Flood, she would have liked to see the spirit of the game come into play.

“When we want to give free kicks to the letter of the law or when we want to say ‘it’s grey’ and ‘when’s the spirit of the game?’, I don’t think it should be decided by an umpire’s ­decision,” she said.

“If it wasn’t within the spirit of the game, it’d be different. If she threw it over there, or if she was waiting to give it back, but there was no maliciousness in any of that. And neither were the ones (on Saturday). I think it should be looked at.”

Fremantle coach Trent Cooper said he was screaming for a 50m penalty in the box, and said he “felt really sorry” for McDonald.

MORE ACL PAIN

AFL Women’s is bracing for what could be its 11th ACL injury since the start of the preseason.

Saint Tarni White was felled early in the match, with ACL fears immediate.

The 19-year-old starred in last week’s loss to Adelaide.

“She’s an extremely driven young lady,” Searle said.

“We know what we’re dealing with … with her ability to get back to work and get back on the horse. She’ll be back, bigger and potentially stronger with a bit more time in the weights room.”

She said the price for players is two-fold, with many unable to work as they recovered from such serious injuries.

Speedy forward Kate McCarthy also injured her knee in the third quarter, with injury to her medial ligament suspected.

Collingwood is awaiting scan results on star defender Ash Brazill.

media_camera A shattered Tarni White is helped from the field at Moorabbin.

THESE SAINTS ARE SERIOUS

It took a couple of weeks to find their groove but Peta Searle has bedded down some serious footy at St Kilda.

The stalwart of women’s football in Victoria – the only female senior coach in AFLW – has built a list without a plethora of big names, but it just works.

Rising star nominee and cult hero Caitlin “G-Train” Greiser again threatened up forward.

FREO, IT’S A LONG WAY TO GO

It was the Dockers’ first trip on the road this season after enjoying a winning run on their home deck.

But they weren’t in Kansas anymore.

Despite the hot conditions at Moorabbin, the Dockers struggled to lock down the Saints and only just managed to get out of jail, led by usual suspects Kiara Bowers, who laid 12 tackles, and Hayley Miller.

They’re the only undefeated team in AFLW, and for a reason. Their synergy is unmatched, and when the game was up for grabs, they took it with both hands.

ST KILDA 0.1 1.1 2.4 3.5 (23)

FREMANTLE 0.2 1.3 1.3 3.6 (24)

BEST

Saints: Dillon, Drennan, Phillips, Lucas-Rodd, Watt, Fitzpatrick, Vesely.

Dockers: Bowers, Miller, Houghton, E. Antonio, Grieve, Seth.

VOTES: 3. Kiara Bowers, 2. Rosie Dillon, 1. Hayley Miller

media_camera St Kilda’s Alison Drennan is tackled by Docker Leah Mascall.

GIANT VICTORY FOR LIONS

Greg Davis

Brisbane is on the march back to the AFLW finals after a 28-point victory over GWS at Hickey Park.

The Lions are undefeated at the halfway point of the home-and-away season with three wins and a draw putting them on top of Conference A.

The top three teams from each conference play finals and Brisbane are six points clear of fourth-placed Adelaide.

The Lions will take on Conference B leaders Fremantle in WA this Sunday in a battle of the unbeaten sides.

And Brisbane warmed-up for the potential finals preview with a dominant 7.9 (51) to 3.5 (23) win in front of 3297 spectators.

In the 25th game for foundation trio Jess Wuetschner, Shannon Campbell and Breanna Koenen, Brisbane led at every change, with Emily Bates (24 disposals, six clearances and six inside 50s) and Cathy Svarc (23 disposals and 11 tackles) the prime movers.

Brisbane doubled their two-goal halftime advantage through majors to Lily Postle-thwaite, with a clever snap, and Svarc on the run from a tight angle to all but end the contest in the third term.

media_camera Jess Wuetschner is dispossessed of the ball by a Giants player at Hickey Park. Picture: Getty Images

Lions senior coach Craig Starcevich paid tribute to Svarc’s performance that included negating the impact of Giants star Alyce Parker.

“The fact that she took on the job (tagging Parker) so willingly, that’s the first bit, to get the player to accept their role, and to be as good as defensively and offensively is a great asset for us,’’ he said.

Jesse Wardlaw’s second goal helped Brisbane race to a commanding 31-point cushion at the last break, after the Giants failed to register a score in the third quarter.

For all of Brisbane’s superiority, the Lions only held a 12-point buffer at halftime.

It was all Brisbane in the first term as they peppered the goals from the bounce.

All the numbers pointed to the Lions being further in front than 11 points at quarter-time, given they dominated inside 50 entries (13-1), clearances (10-2), total possessions (62-43) and tackles (20-6).

Bates had nine touches in the opening term which saw Brisbane kick goals through Svarc and Wardlaw, only for the Giants to score from their one inside 50 entry through Rebecca Privitelli.

GWS were on top early in the second quarter but Brisbane arrested the momentum when defender Kate Lutkins crept forward and kicked truly.

BRISBANE 2.5 4.5 7.7 7.8 (50)

GWS 1.0 2.5 2.5 3.5 (23)

EAGLES BREAK AFLW DUCK

After three challenging weeks to open their AFLW life, the West Coast Eagles are on the board after holding on for a four-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Leederville Oval in Perth.

The Eagles didn’t show a whole lot in their opening three losses to Collingwood, Fremantle and the GWS Giants. They only kicked five goals in total in those matches but they were a vastly more impressive looking team on home turf. West Coast kicked three goals to one after half-time with Grace Kelly kicking what was ultimately the sealer early in the fourth term in the 4.6 (30) to 3.8 (26) victory.

Eagles captain Emma Swanson was brilliant with 22 possessions and six clearances. Dana Hooker also had it 19 times, Niamh Kelly 16 and her sister Grace 14 as the Irish pair showed exciting signs.

It was a tough loss to take for the Bulldogs, who now have one win from the opening four rounds. They also lost spearhead Bonnie Toogood to a knee injury before quarter-time.

Ellie Blackburn collected 19 possessions for the Bulldogs, Gabby Newton 16 (10 tackles), Kirsty Lamb 15 and Hannah Scott 15.

It was an impressive start for the Eagles. After a couple of chances, they got the game’s first goal courtesy of a clever snap from Ashlee Atkins. That would be the only goal of the term despite a couple of strong marks in attack for the Bulldogs from Toogood before she left the field hobbling with a knee complaint.

media_camera The Dogs lost in a tight encounter away from home.

The Bulldogs then kicked the only two goals of the second term, to Danielle Marshall from a free-kick in the goal square and then Kim Rennie after a strong contested mark.

That had the visitors up by five points at the major break.

West Coast took back control in the third quarter. It led to an early goal from Emma Swanson and then a strike of luck when it came off Hayley Bullas’ back-heel as she was falling to the ground.

West Coast went into three quarter-time up seven and that became 12 early in the fourth when Grace Kelly ran into an open goal.

The Bulldogs clawed one back through usual defender Isabel Huntington. They continued to attack and had another golden chance courtesy of Kirsten McLeod. She missed her set shot and the Eagles held on for the four-point win.

WEST COAST 1.3 1.4 3.6 4.6 (30)

WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.2 2.3 2.5 3.8 (26)

GOALS

Eagles: A Atkins E Swanson G Kelly H Bullas.

Bulldogs: D Marshall I Huntington K Rennie.

BRENNAN FLOORED AS CATS GET FIRST WIN

Geelong are on the board in the 2020 AFLW season, with two goals apiece to Richelle Cranston and Georgia Clarke propelling the Cats to a 22-point win in a shootout with Richmond in Bendigo.

The sides were both winless at the bottom of Conference A heading into Saturday afternoon’s clash but put on a highly entertaining show. The Cats kicked their highest score to prevail 10.7 (67) to 7.3 (45).

Geelong hadn’t booted seven goals in a game since they entered the competition last season, but reached that mark by halftime as they set the win up with a six-goals-to-two second quarter.

media_camera A clumsy tackle attempt saw Katie Brennan take no further part. Picture: Michael Wilson/AFL Photos

Cranston also had 15 possessions to be among the best players, with Olivia Purcell outstanding with 20 touches and a goal.

The result leaves the Tigers bottom of Conference A, but there were promising signs for Tom Hunter’s team.

Monique Conti had a day out with 28 disposals in a best-afield display and Courtney Wakefield booted three goals as Richmond kicked the highest score of their inaugural season.

The Tigers were left with an injury concern, however, as Katie Brennan didn’t see out the contest, the Richmond skipper left dazed by a clumsy front-on tackling attempt by Jordan Ivey on the three-quarter time siren. Both teams hit the scoreboard early as the match began in warm conditions, with the Cats up by two points at the first break.

Clarke banged through her two goals as Geelong ran riot in the second term to lead by 27 points at halftime.

The situation looked grim for Richmond as the margin blew out to 41 points in the third quarter, but Wakefield’s third major was one of four goals in succession as the Tigers made it an 18-point game at the final break. But Geelong’s Julia Crokett-Grills kicked the only goal of the final term to seal the win.

The Cats will attempt to build on the win when they take on Gold Coast on Friday night in Mackay, while the Tigers will travel to Wagga Wagga to face GWS on Saturday.

media_camera Renee Garing celebrates after a Cats goal. Picture: AAP Image

GEELONG 1.3 7.4 9.7 10.7 (67)

RICHMOND 1.1 3.1 7.1 7.3 (45)

GOALS

Cats: Clarke 2, Cranston 2, Teague, Higgins, Crockett-Grills, Darby, Purcell, Garing.

Tigers: Wakefield 3, Bernardi, Jacques, McClelland, Frederick.

BEST

Cats: Purcell, Cranston, McWilliams, M.McDonald, A.McDonald, Crockett-Grills

Tigers: Conti, Wakefield, Monahan, Brennan, Molan, Campbell

INJURIES

Cats: Higgins (wrist)

Tigers: Brennan (head/neck)

ARDEN STREET HOMECOMING PERFECT FOR ROOS

Gilbert Gardiner

North Melbourne star Jasmine Garner earns a crust as an apprentice plumber finding leaks and stopping them.

The midfield jet used those skills and some on Saturday at Arden Street to help the Kangaroos eke out a hard-fought 13-point win over AFLW expansion side Gold Coast Suns.

North Melbourne’s spiritual homecoming was not without a nervous moments and rib-rattling tackles for the hosts, who came under fierce Gold Coast physicality.

It caught the Kangaroos on the hop, truth be told, especially in the first half as the Suns ripped in with reckless abandon and created scoring opportunities accordingly.

As plucky as the Suns were, however, it was the cool heads and superior ball-winning ability of North extractors Garner and Emma Kearney who ultimately prevailed in front of a crowd of 3280.

media_camera Jasmine Garner was a standout for the Roos on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

Garner started slowly with only the three disposals to quarter-time but the former Collingwood forward-turned-bullocking midfield ball magnet ran amok after the first change of ends.

The 25 year-old finished with 29 disposals, including 18 contested possessions and six clearances.

Kearney was equally as effective around the ground, with 26 touches including five forward 50 entries.

ARDEN SWEET

Mission accomplished.

The idea behind the redevelopment of Arden Street Oval - a large part of it anyway - was to bring footy back to North Melbourne and on Saturday the club’s AFLW outfit christened the venue in style.

If the beautiful sunshine wasn’t enough, or the pristine turf, the first three words on the Roos’ banner captured the mood perfectly: “Back at home”.

Even a Richmond supporter - going by the scarf draped over the balcony railing - in an apartment across the road kept a close eye on proceedings.

North returns to Arden Street on March 21 to host Western Bulldogs and with an even bigger crowd predicted who could argue against more games next year for all teams – AFL, VFL and AFLW.

MORE AFL

Phillips as tough as they come: Burgoyne

Six weeks of worry: AFLW star’s concussion angst

Serious knee injury fears for dual-sport star Brazill

WHAT THE COACH SAID

Kangaroos AFLW coach Scott Gowans heaped praise on his team’s ability to absorb the Suns’ pressure.

“We always knew that when we came up against a contested side that would be our test,” Gowans said.

“I thought the game could’ve gone either way late into that last quarter but I was pretty pleased.

“We pulled the trigger during the last quarter and it worked, and I think gave the girls a little bit of belief that if you come up against a side like that you don’t have to just play one way, you can play a different way and be OK.”

The leadership of Kearney and Garner through the middle was not lost on the coach.

“I actually think she’s running across the ground better than I’ve seen for a long time and what that’s doing is taking the attention away from the other midfielders,” Gowans said.

“Our pressure around the footy is allowing us to win a lot of outside footy and that’s largely due to the workrate of Emma Kearney and Jaz Garner is getting better and better, and she is a pleasure to watch play footy.”

HEARTBREAKERS

It will work out for Gold Coast Suns – eventually.

They play with great hunger and vigour.

It is a tough, brutal and uncompromising brand that, with time, will reap just rewards.

NORTH MELBOURNE 1.2 4.5 5.7 6.1 (47)

GOLD COAST 2.1 2.2 4.3 5.4 (34)

BEST

Kangaroos: Garner, Kearney, Gavalas, Riddell, Gillespie-Jones

Suns: Ernst, Ahrens, Stanton, Bella, Dunn