Hawthorn has survived a late scare from a plucky Collingwood outfit to prevail by nine points and keep its AFLW top-four hopes alive.
Goalless until the final quarter at Victoria Park, the Magpies slammed through three quick goals to reduce the deficit on the scoreboard to three points.
But the Hawks had the final say with a Jess Vukic goal steadying the visitors for a 5.9 (39) to 3.12 (30) win on Saturday.
Collingwood was flying high after stripping Sydney of its undefeated status last week, but it now has a 2-4 win-loss record through six matches.
Hawthorn bounced back after a 21-point loss to Adelaide last round to snare its fifth win of the season.
A serious knee injury to Kalinda Howarth only added to Collingwood’s woes.
The gun forward was in agony and clutched her right knee immediately after being tackled by Hawthorn’s Laura Stone in the first quarter.
Howarth was playing in her sixth match since recovering from an ACL injury she suffered in 2023 while at the Gold Coast Suns.
Magpies coach Sam Wright could only confirm Howarth was substituted out at quarter-time, with the club to await scans.
Hawthorn will also sweat on the fitness of forward Bridie Hipwell, who had to be stretchered off in the third quarter with a lower left-leg injury.
Aine McDonagh led the Hawks attack with two goals, while midfielder Eliza West and defender Tilly Lucas-Rodd saw plenty of the ball.
The Magpies’ Ash Centra’s rise continued with a goal and 23 disposals, while teammate and captain Ruby Schleicher kicked her side’s opening goal.
McDonagh was initially denied first blood when the goal umpire ruled the Hawthorn forward’s check-side kick as a behind, but it was subsequently overturned and recorded as a major score.
A goal from Greta Bodey built the Hawks’ lead to 14 points, while the hosts could only manage two points at quarter-time.
Collingwood burst from the blocks after the break to take five forward entries to none.
But the Magpies could not find scoreboard reward before McDonagh kicked the only major of the second term after burning off defender Lauren Butler towards an open goal.
After a goalless third quarter from both sides, Keely Coyne hit the scoreboard for Hawthorn before Schleicher broke through and sparked a Collingwood challenge.
AAP
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