Hawthorn AFLW win soured by captain Emma Bates’ sickening leg injury

Aine McDonagh has fired Hawthorn to an 11-point AFLW win over the Western Bulldogs that was soured by captain Emily Bates’ serious leg injury.

Bates was taken off the field on a stretcher at the Kennedy Community Centre on Saturday after her right leg twisted underneath her in a tackle late in the third quarter.

The decorated 30-year-old, who played her 100th AFLW match a week earlier, was expected to be taken to hospital for further assessment.

The Hawks also lost Laura Stone (concussion) after an early head clash with an opponent and were 11 points down at half-time.

But Daniel Webster’s side piled on five unanswered goals in the third quarter - four of those before Bates’ injury - to set up their 6.5 (41) to 4.6 (30) victory.

It lifted Hawthorn (3-2) into the top eight, leapfrogging the Bulldogs (3-2) on percentage.

Irish key forward McDonagh kicked a career-best four majors, extending her lead at the top of this season’s goal-kicking list.

Eliza West (24 disposals), Tamara Smith (20) and Jasmine Fleming (19) also shone for the Hawks, as did ruck Lucy Wales.

Isabelle Pritchard had game-high tallies of 31 disposals and eight clearances for the Bulldogs, with Elisabeth Georgostathis (19 touches) also busy.

The Dogs kicked three of the first four goals but were held scoreless in the third quarter as Hawthorn took control of the contest.