Port Melbourne VFLW went down to Essendon by 12 points on Saturday at ETU Stadium.

The Bombers were reeling after a 66-point loss at Arden Street Oval last week and were also looking to atone after being held goalless in a 47-point flogging from the Borough in Round 1.

The alarm bells were sounding early when former Bomber Lauren Caruso booted the first goal – her first in 55 VFLW appearances – and Emily Harley made it two for the home team inside the opening five minutes.

But Port did not hit the target again until Courteney Bromage snagged the last goal of the game in the 13th minute of the final term as Essendon banged on six unanswered majors and completely shut down the reigning premiers.

Sophie Molan was the main reason for the win with a dominant display in defence that yielded an equal game-high 22 disposals, six marks and six rebounds.

Ruby Mahony (16 disposals, six marks, seven clearances), captain El Chaston (16 disposals, five clearances, seven tackles) and Ash Melnikas (15 disposals, six clearances, eight tackles) impressed through the middle for the Bombers and Olivia Manfre (three goals) finished it all off in attack.

Another ex-Bomber, Eloise Ashley-Cooper, was outstanding for the Borough in gathering 22 touches, eight clearances, 12 tackles and five entries.

Ava Seton continued to stake her AFLW credentials with 21 disposals, nine clearances and eight tackles, while Caruso (14 disposals, five clearances, 10 tackles, one goal) was important and Beth Wilson (12 disposals, 29 hitouts) had an absorbing battle with Jaimee-Lee Morrow (eight disposals, 33 hitouts).

PORT MELBOURNE     2.1        2.4        2.7        3.9 (27)
ESSENDON                  2.0        3.1        5.1        6.3 (39)