Youth-inspired St Kilda have romped to one of the best wins of their short AFLW history, stunning powerhouse Adelaide by 22 points for a perfect start to the season.

The Saints hadn’t beaten Adelaide since they entered the competition in 2020.

But Nick Dal Santo’s charges smashed the Crows around the ball as they claimed a 6.5 (41) to 2.7 (19) win at RSEA Park.

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“Just incredibly proud of our group,” skipper Hannah Priest told Fox Sports.

“We’ve worked so hard ... and then to come out here and play a Saints brand of football that we’ve been working on, I’m just really proud.”

Adelaide’s Hannah Munyard was carried off after suffering a seemingly serious left ankle injury in the dying moments of the third quarter.

Munyard’s teammate Zoe Prowse was able to play on after an ankle concern in the second term.

Tyanna Smith (24 disposals, seven clearances, 447 metres gained) was magnificent for St Kilda, with support from Georgia Patrikios (27 disposals) and Rebecca Ott (six clearances), while Paige Trudgeon was busy down back.

Debutant Zoe Besanko kicked two goals, while fellow draftee Ella Forbes and young recruit Charlotte Baskaran impressed, with Priest hailing the youngsters’ work ethic over pre-season.

“I don’t think they missed a training session, to be honest,” Priest said.

“So deserving, and you can clearly see that they’re ready to make their mark on the competition.”

Bowers, Miller shine as Dockers power away from Port

Tackling machine Kiara Bowers made a stunning AFLW return and Hayley Miller kicked three goals as Fremantle posted a hard-fought 22-point win over Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval.

The margin was just five points in favour of Fremantle early in the final quarter after Port forward Katelyn Pope shook off two tacklers to kick truly.

Whether Fremantle could hold on against the breeze was a huge question, but they needn’t have worried.

Miller caught Shineah Goody holding the ball close to goal to extend the margin back out to 11, before Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster tumble-turned her way free of a tackler before popping up to kick another.

Sunday’s 7.4 (46) to 3.6 (24) win was sealed when Miller kicked her third goal late in the match, sparking celebrations among the Dockers.

Bowers missed all of last season due to pregnancy, but it was like she never left as she compiled 22 disposals, six clearances and 14 tackles as she celebrated her 50-game milestone in style.

Gabby Newton (22 disposals) was also huge in what was also her 50th game, while captain Angelique Stannett kicked two goals in her return from a knee reconstruction.

Angelique Stannett (right) marked her return from a knee reconstruction with two goals for Freo. (Michael Errey/AAP PHOTOS)

Stannett’s leadership was on full display in the third quarter when she pulled off three consecutive smothers.

“That is the reason she’s the skipper. She’s amazing,” Bowers told Fox Footy.

“I love these girls, and I loved watching them win last year, but it’s definitely nice to be out here with them.

“This group is special, and hopefully I keep winning with them.”

Hawks lay down their marker with thrilling first-up win

Hawthorn have laid down their marker as the AFLW team to watch after claiming a thrilling four-point away win over perennial contenders Brisbane in their season opener.

The Hawks, who lost to eventual grand finalists Brisbane in their qualifying final last season, headed to Brighton Homes Arena on Sunday with a point to prove.

Daniel Webster’s charges defended their hearts out to claim a 4.9 (33) to 3.11 (29) victory in front of 4208 fans, leaving Brisbane to rue their wastefulness.

“Especially after last year’s finals, we wanted to make a statement, and I think we came out and did that, which is really good,” defender Tilly Lucas-Rodd told the Seven Network.

Midfield tough nut Eliza West (25 disposals, 18 contested possessions), running defender Lucas-Rodd (27 disposals) and skipper Emily Bates (20 touches) led the charge.

Aine McDonagh (two goals) and Ainslie Kemp (nine intercepts) were excellent at each end.

Hawthorn were defensively brilliant, keeping Brisbane goalless in the second and third quarters.

For Brisbane, Jade Ellenger (10 intercepts, 19 disposals) was a fierce competitor down back with support from Jennifer Dunne (six marks), while Ally Anderson (21 disposals) and Belle Dawes (16 disposals) were busy.

The Hawks suffered a massive pre-game blow when Irish gun Aileen Gilroy withdrew through injury, but they still flew out of the blocks, with the first five inside-50s of the game.

But Hawthorn could only claim four points from those entries and Brisbane pounced through Taylor Smith.

Greta Bodey ensured the Hawks finally got some bang for their buck when she kicked a classy goal late in the term, but Dakota Davidson nudged Brisbane out to a four-point lead at quarter-time.

The second term was all Hawthorn, with McDonagh putting Hawthorn back in front, before Casey Sherriff extended the lead to nine points after the half-time siren.

The Hawks had a scare when Jasmine Fleming went down grabbing her right knee, but she had her leg taped and was able to return to play.

Hawthorn led by 13 points at the start of the final term when Fleming burst out of a stoppage and hit McDonagh on the chest for her second goal.

But a wonderful goal from Ellie Hampson gave Brisbane a second wind.

The Lions kept peppering Hawthorn’s goal without snatching the lead, and instead opened a third consecutive season with a home loss.

Craig Starcevich’s Brisbane next travel to face Fremantle on Saturday, before Hawthorn host Carlton in Frankston that night.