Unbeaten Essendon are out to make an AFLW statement when they take on competition heavyweights Adelaide for the first time.
There are only five teams left with perfect records after two rounds this season, including reigning premiers Melbourne - the raging flag favourites.
The other four lock horns in round three, with Geelong hosting North Melbourne on Friday night before the Crows and Bombers do battle on Saturday.
Essendon, in their second season, have won consecutive matches for the first time but face a huge challenge against three-time premiership powerhouse Adelaide at Sturt's Wigan Oval.
"We're really excited to play against a top-four team and see if we stack up," Bombers co-captain Bonnie Toogood told AAP.
"It's about proving to ourselves and gaining that confidence and belief that we have the ability.
"We're not going to hold back. We're going to put our best foot forward and make sure we take it up to the Crows."
Under coach Natalie Wood, Essendon were the most successful of the four expansion sides last season, winning four of 10 games.
Toogood believes the Bombers are ready to take the next step this season with significant growth from players including Sophie Van De Heuvel, Georgia Gee, Sophie Alexander and Amelia Radford.
"We've had such improvement all around the ground and that comes from having another year together to build our connection - not just on the field but off the field," Toogood said.
Adelaide gave up a total of just 40 points in convincing wins over Port Adelaide and Richmond over the opening two rounds but won't rest on their laurels against the Bombers.
"You never know what's going to happen on that footy field," versatile Crow Stevie-Lee Thompson told AAP.
"We've watched a fair few (Essendon) games and we're not going to take them lightly.
"It's going to be a hard contest. No matter who we play, they always come 10 times harder (against the Crows)."
At the other end of the ladder, five teams are still hunting their first wins of the season.
Greater Western Sydney have been boosted by the return of Isabel Huntington and Emily Pease from long-term lay-offs with knee injuries for their clash with Richmond at Blacktown on Saturday.
Former No.1 draft pick Huntington returns after more than 20 months on the sidelines.
Her former club the Western Bulldogs are rank outsiders as they attempt to open their account against Melbourne at Casey Fields.
The two sides will again do battle for the Hampson-Hardeman Cup, played in honour of two pioneers of women's football.
St Kilda and Port Adelaide are both out to taste success for the first time this year in their Sunday clash at RSEA Park, as are West Coast when they host Carlton at Mineral Resources Park.
Beaten grand finalists the Brisbane Lions suffered a surprise defeat in their season opener but are chasing successive wins when they host Sydney in the final game of round three.
