Melbourne will sweat on the fitness of key forward Tayla Harris after she tweaked her left shoulder in the Demons' Kate Hore-inspired AFLW round-one win over Geelong.
Melbourne trailed by 11 points midway through the third term before Hore sparked a run of three consecutive goals to snatch a 6.6 (42) to 6.4 (40) win at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
Harris, 27, required treatment on her already heavily-strapped left shoulder after innocuous incidents in the first and third quarters.
She left the field at three-quarter time for what she called "precautionary" reasons after dealing with the issue in pre-season.
"Obviously I’ve had some shoulder issues along the way, and just another little incident, it’s round one," Harris told the Seven Network.
"The girls are doing an awesome job, I feel like it’s an opportunity to watch the show. Yeah, today it is (precautionary)."
The Cats have high expectations after reaching the preliminary final last season and showcased their brilliant pressure throughout the game.
The brilliant Hore (three goals, 23 disposals, six clearances) stepped up every time the game swung in Geelong's favour.
Gun Cats trio Amy McDonald (28 disposals, nine clearances), Georgie Prespakis (21 touches) and Nina Morrison were influential, along with versatile tall Jacqueline Parry (two goals).
Geelong got off to a flyer, booting the first two goals of the game.
But Hore, who is splitting her time between midfield and attack, ignited the Demons, kicking the next two goals.
As rain started to fall, the Cats restored a six-point halftime lead via a lovely snap on the run from Rachel Kearns.
With Melbourne trailing by 11 in the third term, Hore took a terrific one-handed mark and kicked her third major, before Sinead Goldrick added another.
Blaithin Mackin (25 disposals) put the Demons in front just before the final change.
Geelong drew level before Eden Zanker restored Melbourne's lead.
There was late drama when Parry was given a free kick after Melbourne veteran Paxy Paxman failed to give the ball directly back to the umpire, instead passing it to teammate Lauren Pearce.
Parry cut the deficit to two points, but Melbourne held on to claim some redemption for last season's heartbreaking semi-final exit at Geelong's hands.
"It was such a tough battle all night, so many momentum swings," Hore told the Seven Network.
"But just super proud of our girls to get it done and fight all the way through to the end.
"But those last 30 seconds they were really coming - so good to hold on."
Melbourne host reigning premiers Brisbane Lions at Casey Fields next Saturday while Geelong play grand finalists North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval on Sunday.
