Each week of the 2026 AFLW season, ESPN's Sarah Burt takes a look at what's making news, raising questions, and catching the eye across the competition.
This week's W Files feature a look back at Sydney's emotionally challenging week, the return of an inaugural AFLW star, and eyes on debutants everywhere!
Keep up to date with all the latest on Instagram @espnfooty!
Swans show the power of women's sport
A powerful message was sent on Sunday when the Sydney AFLW side took on Essendon on Sunday at the SCG in front of a record crowd, more than doubling their previous largest crowd.
6,672 spectators filed into the SCG holding signs of support for the women's side who found themselves in an incredibly difficult position throughout the week, with allegations of sexual assault in relation to some of their male counterparts flooded the media. Many fans deliberately attended the women's game and left before the men played their final home-and-away game against North Melbourne.
Speaking to Fox Footy after their 24-point win against Essendon, Skipper Lucy McEvoy said the support meant everything. "We weren't sure what we were going to be expecting this week but to see the support here today is just unbelievable.
"Our members and fans are so tight, and they know that we are united as a club and we're better than we were at the start of the week, I'm just so grateful to be able to have the support that we do today."
READ: Women are tired of explaining why this hurts. It's time for men to listen
It's great to see Bri Davey back
Former Collingwood skipper Brianna Davey took the AFLW field for the first time in 682 days in Sunday's clash with Fremantle. Davey, the 2021 AFLW Best and Fairest, missed the 2025 season due to an ankle and foot injury.
She had a dream first quarter with four contested possessions, five disposals, and two clearances, and finished out the day as her side's leading ball-winner with 21 disposals, nine contested possessions, and four clearances despite the magpie's loss.
It's been a labour of love for Davey across her football journey, having long been regarded as one of the league's greatest players, she has been unlucky on the injury front in the past, missing almost two seasons with an ACL injury and an injury plagued 2024 campaign too.
New Stars on the rise
The debutant lists have been strong these first two rounds, with a steady flow of new talent being named to take the park. The standout AFLW debutants from Round 2 were Saoirse Lally (St Kilda), Fina Dethlefsen (Richmond) and Natasha Entwistle (West Coast), but the list doesn't stop there.
Lally made her debut in Round 2 against Geelong just fifteen weeks after being drafted, with her mum and sister flying in from Dublin for the occasion.
Dethlefsen also made her AFLW debut for Richmond, bringing the mature-age strength and competitiveness the Tigers drafted her for, while Entwistle, a South Fremantle product joined West Coast as an injury replacement player ahead of the 2026 season.
Piper Dunlop debuted last week but slotted her first AFLW goal in Geelong's game against St Kilda, capped off with three tackles and two marks.
All eyes remain on the No. 1 draft pick Olivia Wolmarans, who shone in her second game for the Tigers, finishing the day with three goals, four marks inside fifty and 100% scoring accuracy.
My favourite stat of the week
Geelong avenged their loss to North Melbourne in Round 1 with an 85-point win against St Kilda at home on Saturday night. The stats were off the charts in this game, with forward Jackie Parry signing off the night with a career-best six goals. She was one of 10 Cats to slot majors for the side. Mikayla Bowen led the charge, becoming the first AFLW player to reach at least 27 disposals with a disposal efficiency of 95%. A handy stat for Bowen, who also notched 11 tackles, a goal and 12 contested possessions.