Essendon has continued its perfect start to the 2025 AFLW season after fending off Richmond by 15 points in Friday night’s Dreamtime clash in Darwin.

Georgia Nanscawen (26 touches, 12 tackles) and Maddy Prespakis (24 disposals) led the way in the midfield and Sophie Alexander and Georgia Gee added two goals apiece to make it three-straight wins to start the Bombers’ campaign.

After Essendon led by just six points at the final change, Natalie Wood’s side kicked two goals — via Alexander and Gee — to Richmond’s none in the fourth quarter to secure the victory, 6.7 (43) to 3.10 (28).

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Despite big outings from Tigers stars Monique Conti (29 touches, nine tackles) and Ella McKenzie (27 disposals) through the middle, Richmond’s lack of connection inside 50 and conversion in front of the big sticks proved costly as they fell to 0-3.

In fact, Ryan Ferguson’s side won the inside count +11 (40-29), but generated the same amount of scoring shots as the Bombers (13).

DARWIN , AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 29: Sophie Alexander of the Bombers celebrates a goal during the 2025 AFLW Round 03 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Essendon Bombers at TIO Stadium on August 29, 2025 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by James Wlitshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

And suddenly the Tigers’ season is slipping away, while skipper Katie Brennan could be under an injury cloud with a hand issue.

Essendon led the TIO Stadium game wire to wire, with Prespakis (nine disposals) busy in the first term.

Maggie MacLachlan and Jess Verbrugge kicked two of the first goals to get the Bombers off to a strong start as they held a two-point edge at the first change.

The Bombers’ handball game started to give Richmond real issues in the second term.

Daria Bannister kicked the only goal in the second quarter to make it a handy 15-point Bombers buffer at the main break, despite strong first halves from McKenzie (16 touches) and Conti (15 disposals).

In was an arm wrestle to start the third term, before Brennan struck the first blow with a goal six minutes in after a nice transition play to get her side within seven points.

But Essendon instantly responded, forcing a forward-half turnover through tremendous pressure as MacLachlan made the Tigers pay to regain a 14-point buffer for the Bombers.

In an injury scare to the Tigers, Brennan hurt her right hand late in the third quarter after it appeared to get stood on as she was left grimacing in pain.

Emelia Yassir got the Tigers back within six points right before three-quarter time and it was well and truly game on at the last change.

After a couple of Tigers misses early in the fourth term when they had territory, Essendon came back through Alexander, who gave the Bombers some needed breathing space with a goal to extend their lead to 10 points with six minutes remaining.

Gee then secured the victory for Wood’s side with a classy snap in the final couple of minutes.

The challenges keep coming for the Tigers next week in an away clash with the currently beaten Melbourne, while Essendon hosts the 0-2 Cats at Windy Hill.

RICHMOND 1.0 1.3 3.6 3.10 (28)

ESSENDON 2.2 3.4 4.6 6.7 (43)

GOALS

Richmond: Scott, Brennan, Yassir

Essendon: Alexander 2, Gee 2, McLachlan, Clarke