Hawthorn has won back-to-back games, kicking away in the third quarter against an improved Collingwood to win by 28 points at Victoria Park on Sunday afternoon.

After a relatively slow start, the Hawks dominated to finish 8.6 (54) to 3.8 (26) winners in the Indigenous Round clash.

The Pies faced a couple of nervous moments with injury concerns.

In the first term, former Collingwood captain Bri Davey came limping from the ground, visibly emotional, with a right ankle issue. Thankfully, she returned to the field in the second quarter and played out the match on managed minutes – always the plan after she returned for her first game in over 680 days last weekend after recurring injuries.

Former No.1 draft pick Ash Centra, who dominated early (13 and three tackles), also left the ground in the third term jogging alongside trainers, but returned soon after looking a little worse for wear with a left quad corkie.

Forward-turned-defender Kalinda Howarth also went to the bench with a right shoulder issue in the final quarter.

Irish star Aine McDonagh had a game-high three goals, while Hawthorn ruck Lucy Wales had an exceptional game, providing support behind the ball (23 disposals, 22 hitouts and nine intercept possessions).

Vice-captain Eliza West's ball use was exceptional (23 disposals, six tackles and seven intercept possessions), while Jas Fleming (a late out last week with a hamstring concern) looked neat with ball in hand (13 disposals and 394m gained).

It was a much-improved performance from the Pies, who had struggled across the ground in their first two matches. Collingwood won clearances 24-23 and had plenty of scoring opportunities, with 42 forward 50 entries to Hawthorn's 25 that they unfortunately couldn't convert.

Captain Ruby Schleicher provided her usual run and a good forward option, finishing with 10 disposals and a goal, while Airlie Runnalls had nine tackles and Brit Bonnici and Dom Carbone had four clearances each.

Unfortunately, it leaves the Pies winless after three games, while the Hawks move to 2-1.

Collingwood's defence held up well early as Hawthorn had repeat inside-50 entries and peppered the goals. But a breakthrough was inevitable, coming in the form of a slow build-up resulting in McDonagh's first goal. Multiple Pies streaming into the protected area then took Jacqui Dupuy to the goal square with a 50m penalty to open up a 14-point lead.

When Collingwood was able to surge the ball forward, Centra made a contest of it and then provided a repeat effort to pick the ball up in the goal square and score the Pies' first goal.

The second-term was an arm-wrestle, with the Hawks ultimately going into the sheds at half-time with an 11-point lead after Poppy Stockwell popped up in the goal square for the only major of the quarter.

The floodgates opened in the third term, the Hawks using short kicks to great effect and kicking four goals to one. Fleming snapped quite possibly the goal of the game, mopping up Stockwell's missed mark before bending around the corner with some magic.

In her third opportunity at AFLW level as a late call-up for an injury replacement, Dom Carbone scored her first goal to give Collingwood fans something to smile about.

Defender Jenna Richardson was rewarded in the Hawks' third 50m penalty, scoring her first goal at AFLW level in game No.43.

The best of Centra
We are starting to see just why Ash Centra is so highly regarded. Hampered last season by an existing hip issue, she mostly played forward on restricted loads. This year though, even after battling concussion in a pre-season match, it's been great to see her work her way up to more midfield minutes. Centra uses the footy nicely, takes some eye-catching marks and given the opportunity can break a game open.

Goal saving efforts
Collingwood was pushing late in the second-term, set up by run along the half-forward boundary from captain Ruby Schleicher. Schleicher centred her kick to the path of third-gamer Imogen Trengove, who looked set to score her first goal at AFLW level as she streamed towards the goal square. Enter Hayley McLaughlin – the third-year player getting low to smother the ball and saving a certain goal to the Hawks' fans relief. It was one of three taps on the goal line by Hawks players.

Up next
Both sides can now recover until next Sunday, with Indigenous Round continuing in round four. Hawthorn will host its first home game at the Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley Village, taking on Kuwarna at 1.05pm. Across town at Ikon Park, Carlton hosts Collingwood in a traditional rivalry match-up at 3.05pm.

COLLINGWOOD   1.1   1.5   2.5   3.8 (26)
HAWTHORN   2.3   3.4.  7.6.  8.6 (54)

GOALS
Collingwood: Centra, Carbone, Schleicher
Hawthorn: McDonagh 3, Dupuy, Stockwell, Fleming, West, Richardson

BEST 
Collingwood: Schleicher, Centra, Runnalls, Bonnici
Hawthorn: Wales, West, McDonagh, Smith, Bates

INJURIES
Collingwood: Davey (ankle), Centra (quad), Howarth (shoulder)
Hawthorn: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: TBC at Victoria Park