{
  "id": 4356125,
  "title": "Dees deliver Lions' greatest AFLW defeat, Port star's cruel injury blow",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/dees-deliver-lions-greatest-aflw-defeat-port-stars-cruel-injury-blow-4356125",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-30T05:52:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-30/aflw-round-three-sunday-wrap/107095536"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Melbourne shut down Brisbane's injury-plagued side with a commanding 56-point victory, marking a perfect 3-0 start to the AFLW season. Port Adelaide, meanwhile, suffered a devastating setback as star forward Indy Tahau suffered a suspected serious knee injury, casting a shadow over their narrow four-point win against GWS in Canberra. Brisbane took the opening goal but Melbourne dominated the rest of the match, kicking 12 consecutive goals and delivering a brutal 89 to 33 shellacking at Casey Fields. Liv Purcell led the charge with 31 disposals, while Tyla Hanks and Kate Hore added 24 disposals and 24 points respectively. Kate Hore was particularly prolific, while Tahlia Gillard's 11 interceptions bolstered an impressive defense. Melbourne's defense stifled Brisbane's efforts, managing to limit their impact throughout the game. Ryleigh Wotherspoon added three goals and eight tackles, while Georgia Gall contributed two goals. Unfortunately for the Lions, Marlow Graham (concussion) and Neesa Dooley (collarbone) were injured in the opening quarter. Belle Dawes (right shoulder) and Ruby Svarc (concussion) were also affected when they collided with each other. Despite playing through pain, Dawes finished with 24 disposals and a goal, while Orla O Dwyer (21) made a strong impact. Sophie Conway (left knee) and Eleanor Hartill (foot) also battled through issues. In the Port Adelaide side, Tahau's injury was a significant blow, having previously torn his left ACL. The match was a tight contest, and Port led by nine at three-quarter time. However, Brodee Mowbray's two goals in the final quarter put GWS in the lead, which Port eventually reclaimed with a last-minute interception and goal by Matilda Scholz. Scholz dominated the game with 30 hit-outs and 24 disposals, while Piper Window kicked three goals. Alyce Parker also contributed 21 disposals for GWS, who managed to share the goals around with a final score of 48-52.",
  "summary": "Melbourne steams past Brisbane to claim a 3-0 start to the season; while Port Adelaide loses Indy Tahau to a suspected knee injury, overshadowing a win over GWS.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Dees deliver Lions' greatest AFLW defeat, Port star's cruel injury blow",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/dees-deliver-lions-greatest-aflw-defeat-port-stars-cruel-injury-blow",
        "published": "2026-08-30T05:52:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}