For the second straight week, a serious knee injury has marred victory for AFLW pace-setters the Western Bulldogs after comeback forward Isabel Huntington broke down in their 5.3 (33) to 3.6 (24) upset win over Brisbane.
Bulldogs coach Paul Groves cut a shattered figure on Sunday despite the rousing victory in brutal 36C heat at South Pine Sports Complex after Huntington's horror run continued.
Early flag fancies the Bulldogs also lost forward Daria Bannister to a season-ending knee injury in their first-round win over Fremantle.
In front of 5300 fans, Huntington booted two goals in as many minutes in the second term for the visitors, breaking open the match after just three points were scored in the first term.
Then disaster struck.
Just as Huntington looked set to cut loose, her right knee buckled in a contest midway through the second quarter of the second-round clash.
It was another blow for Huntington, who missed the entire 2017 season due to a left knee injury.
She also broke her right leg in 2015.
It didn't look good for AFLW No.1 draft pick Huntington, who emerged from the change rooms after halftime in crutches.
"It's pretty deflating to have a really good win and to see her do all the rehab (then break down)," Groves said.
"We don't know yet (extent of injury). We will wait for the scans but I am just exhausted - I feel so much for her.
"Her character and type of person she is, it is just a blip for her - she will come back from it."
The undefeated Bulldogs are top of the ladder but now must tackle the Crows in Adelaide next week without Huntington and Bannister.
The Bulldogs' second-straight win marked 2017 AFLW grand finalists Brisbane's first regular season loss in their club history.
The heat seemed to take its toll early, with just three points scored in the first term before Huntington's double gave the visitors a 4.2 (26) to 0.3 (3) halftime lead.
Brisbane couldn't reel in the deficit to crash to a disappointing home loss after opening their season with a convincing away win over Adelaide in the AFLW grand final rematch.
"Maybe after last week's euphoric win we were a little bit off. It shouldn't take some soul searching at halftime to see where your attitude is," Lions coach Craig Starcevich said.
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