All the teams for Round 3 in the rebel VFLW.
THE rebel VFLW enters a new era on a Super Saturday of games where the competition takes centre stage in Melbourne tomorrow.
With the Smithy’s VFL on a bye for the AAMI State Game against the SANFL, the women’s competition is the hottest ticket in town as it welcomes two new clubs to the league.
GWS Giants and Sydney Swans make their VFLW debuts against Carlton and Western Bulldogs respectively as they play the first of their five guest matches over the next five weeks, and the Swans in particular have shown they are in it to win, naming some of their biggest AFLW stars among 18 players who are listed at the top level.
At the other end of the experience scale, reigning premier Port Melbourne will run out for its 50th VFLW match when it takes on Williamstown at DSV Stadium on Saturday, but the Seagulls will have plenty of motivation to spoil the party with Nicole Julian and Megan Williamson both set to play their 50th VFLW matches.
And the Borough, which has won 27 of those 50 games including a flag in just its third season in the competition, has been boosted by three Richmond AFLW-listed debutants in Ally Dallaway, Eilish Sheerin and Charli Wicksteed, plus the return of premiership duo Courteney Bromage and Beth Wilson.
Williamstown has named a debutant in Western Jet Kiera Leare, plus Darebin recruit Mikayla Plunkett, who crossed the Westgate after 29 games for the Falcons.
The Bulldogs’ task of winning two in a row is a big one, given they will face Swans AFL keys including best-and-fairest winner Laura Gardiner, 2021 No.1 draft pick Montana Ham, star young forward Cynthia Hamilton, tough Irish midfielder Tanya Kennedy, key defender Alana Woodward, prolific former Dog Eliza Vale and both their selections from the 2023 draft in Sarah Grunden (16) and Lara Hausegger (33).
The Bulldogs made one change to the team that downed Casey Demons last week, with 32-game former Geelong player Chloe Leonard to make her club debut in place of West Australian recruit Jamie Henry, who was picked in the U23 All Stars to take on the Marsh AFL National Academy Girls.
The Giants’ have selected 11 AFLW-listed players to meet the Blues, headed by best-and-fairest rising star Zarlie Goldsworthy, the silky Jess Doyle and No.3 draft pick Kaitlyn Srhoj, while Collingwood 2019 premiership player Grace Buchan makes her return to the VFLW after moving to country NSW last year following 57 games for the Magpies, Casey Demons and Southern Saints.
Carlton has boosted its team in response to the new challenge, with AFLW foursome Lily Goss, Gen Lawson-Tavan, Marianna Anthony and Emily Hurley, who returns from a foot injury, with Ciara Fitzgerald being rested and Layla Prince out with an adductor strain.
Elsewhere, Casey Demons will unveil Melbourne’s No.12 pick Ryleigh Wotherspoon and No.55 selection Delany Madigan as they attempt to upset North Melbourne for the first win of the season.
AFLW player Sarah Lampard also comes into the team alongside former skipper Sammie Johnson and Ally Kirkwood, who are back from a hamstring injury and a surgical procedure respectively.
But they lose Sarah D’Arcy to surgery, Indi Makai to injury and Olivia Morris to the All Stars, while Alison Bannan has been rested.
Annabel Scott returns for North Melbourne after a false start last week, replacing the injured Jen Guy.
Box Hill Hawks have shuffled the magnets for their first home game at the newly-named Fenjiu Stadium against Collingwood, with AFLW stars Emily Bates, Eliza West, Lucy Wales, Kristy Stratton, Casey Sherriff and Aine McDonagh all rested, but they have another six to replace them in gun midfielder Charlotte Baskaran, Tahlia Fellows, Ainslie Kemp, draftee Mikayla Williamson and pre-draft signings Hayley McLaughlin and Laura Stone.
The Magpies have three new players, with former AFLW Swan Jaide Anthony to play against her former VFLW club and Alessia Francese and Mikayla Molenberg to make their debuts, but Melanie Freeman has copped a horrible blow, being ruled out for the year with an elbow injury, while Ava Campbell has gone to the All Stars and Kasey Lennox, Carly Remmos and Charlotte Taylor are injured.
Southern Saints have recalled St Kilda duo Darcy Guttridge and Ella Friend, plus Jemima Wrigley from a knee injury while handing a debut to experienced Seaford small Tenae Browne, for their clash with Geelong, which regains Round 1 star Abbey McDonald but loses key defenders Mel Bragg (quad) and Jo Sunderland (All Stars).
The Cats have also selected a debutant in St Joseph’s youngster Chloe Bryant, who made the top 10 in Geelong Falcons’ best and fairest last year as a bottom ager.
Darebin will unveil former Collingwood full-forward Monique De Matteo and Collegians’ debutant Jess Fitzpatrick for its relocated home game against Essendon at the Bombers’ home of the NEC Hangar, with defender Victoria Blackwood also back from injury.
The Bombers will also unleash a key recruit, with former Hawthorn AFLW player Isabelle Porter in for her first VFLW game since 2022, while Marnie Robinson plays for the U23 All-Stars.
All matches in the 2024 rebel VFLW season will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App.
NORTH MELBOURNE vs CASEY DEMONS
Saturday 6 April, 11:00am, Arden Street Oval
Head-to-head: Casey Demons 4-0; At Casey Fields: Casey Demons 1-0; Streak: Casey Demons 4
Last time: Casey Demons 5.4 34 def North Melbourne 3.3 21 (May 20, 2023, Casey Fields)
NORTH MELBOURNE
B: N. Hales (30), M. McSweeney (22)
HB: T. Cowan (18), J. Jones (17), T. Meier (2)
C: S. Hosking (13), A. Barba (26), A. Rhodes (4)
HF: E. Paterno (21), B. Sheridan (6), F. Theodore (1)
F: M. Zander (10), Z. Flanigan (16)
R: S. King (46), M. Di Cosmo (12), R. Tierney (34)
INT: E. Jackson (19), N. Dojiok (40), A. Ling (24), A. Scott (23), G. Nicholas (9)
EMG: A. Xanthos (29), C. Van der vlies (33), G. McLaughlin (43), K. Delia (20)
IN: A. Scott
OUT: J. Guy (hip)
CASEY DEMONS
B: D. Madigan (27), K. Phillips (31)
HB: S. Fairchild (8), S. Casey (22), L. Johnson (12)
C: A. Kirkwood (6), M. Macdonald (18), S. Johnson (25)
HF: S. Sheerin (5), N. O'Neill (19), J. Lin (10)
F: Z. Mitchell (21), T. Williams (36)
R: L. Jatczak (14), S. Lampard (24), R. Wotherspoon (9)
INT: A. Bertrand (7), A. Kasteliotis (35), L. Swain (50), T. Burn (4), D. Smith (3)
EMG: C. Sexton (23), E. Horne (26), E. Layfield (16)
IN: S. Johnson, A. Kirkwood, S. Lampard, D. Madigan, R. Wotherspoon
OUT: A. Bannan (Melbourne), S. D’Arcy (surgical procedure), I. Makai (back), O. Morris (U23 All Stars), C. Sexton
NEW: Delany Madigan, 19, 174cm, Montrose/Eastern Ranges; Ryleigh Wotherspoon, 19, 170cm, Sherwood
SOUTHERN SAINTS vs GEELONG CATS
Saturday 6 April, 11:00am, Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Head-to-head: Geelong 6-2; At WSTBBO: Geelong 2-0; Streak: Geelong 1
Last time: Geelong 2.5 17 def Southern Saints 1.1 7 (April 16, 2023, WSTBBO)
SOUTHERN SAINTS
B: N. Plane (38), B. Enno (26)
HB: C. Matthews (36), T. Boyd (21), G. Ricardo (44)
C: W. Laing (9), E. Nikolitsis (17), C. Ryan (5)
HF: J. Wrigley (18), S. Phillips (8), C. Aughtie (31)
F: T. Browne (20), C. Hunt (29)
R: M. Torpey (28), A. Tregellis (12), A. Hynes (16)
INT: G. Foran (37), D. Guttridge (50), E. Friend (43), P. Phelan (27), G. De Angelis (39)
EMG: C. Saultry (6), A. Russell (14), A. Penry (32), Z. McCurdy (11), F. Crank (25)
IN: T. Browne, E. Friend, D. Guttridge, J. Wrigley
OUT: D. Jolliffe (calf), K. Henry, G. Hodder, M. Stobie
NEW: Tenae Browne, 28, 154cm, Seaford
GEELONG CATS
B: B. Aughton (62), J. Cranny (60)
HB: M. Fuller (31), D. Taylor (28), M. Walton (29)
C: H. Burchell (57), B. Plummer (19), S. Mahar (40)
HF: B. Pratt (36), C. Mason (24), P. Schaap (35)
F: C. de Groot (33), O. Stewart (34)
R: S. Gooden (59), A. McDonald (39), Z. Cowan (49)
INT: A. McKeegan (27), E. Firth (56), C. Bryant (63), Z. Larkins (51), J. McMeel (30)
EMG: S. Dinneen (43), A. Haigh (55), K. Gray (58), B. Collings (54), P. Dunlop (38)
IN: C. Bryant, A. McDonald, A. McKeegan
OUT: M. Bragg (quad), J. Sunderland (U23 All-Stars), C. Reid
NEW: Chloe Bryant, 17, St Joseph’s/Geelong Falcons
DAREBIN FALCONS vs ESSENDON
Saturday 6 April, 11:05am, NEC Hangar
Head-to-head: Essendon 5-1; At NEC Hangar: Essendon 1-0; Streak: Essendon 5
Last time: Essendon 6.6 42 def Darebin 1.2 8 (May 28, 2023, La Trobe University)
DAREBIN FALCONS
B: A. Gogos (1), K. Lee (43)
HB: S. Ruedin (32), C. Bunker (33), R. Christgoergl (20)
C: E. Rayment (35), O. Storer (21), M. Dematteo (52)
HF: E. Mackay (39), S. Cowley-Du Parquet, C. Kodagoda (15)
F: G. Gough (4), S. Egan (34)
R: A. Mifsud (9), V. Blackwood (44), S. Baisas (36)
INT: E. Southgate (48), J. Fitzpatrick (29), M. Rudzki (11), G. Wake (37), L. Collis (46)
EMG: P. Kearney (28), P. Trajkovski (23), L. Griss (18), A. Gottliebsen (10)
IN: V. Blackwood, M. Dematteo, J. Fitzpatrick
OUT: A. Gottliebsen, P. Louey, M. Shone
NEW: Monique De Matteo, 26, 168cm, Collingwood VFLW; Jess Fitzpatrick, 18, 171cm, St Mary’s/Collegians/Northern Knights
ESSENDON
B: L. Bateman (63), 72. R. Murdoch
HB: M. Ford (42), A. Van Loon (26), C. Adams (15)
C: A. Gaylor (23), M. Busch (28), S. Ford (45)
HF: L. Williamson (13), J. Richardson (52), S. Orritt (68)
F: O. Manfre (43), E. Chaston (61)
R: S. Wales (30), A. Melnikas (64), R. Mahony (78)
INT: K. Russell (50), D. Ryan (51), M. Huta (56), T. Davidge (77), I. Porter (70)
EMG: E. Tassiopoulos (49), K. Tracey (46), M. Gray (48)
IN: L. Bateman, M. Huta, I. Porter
OUT: M. Robinson (U23 All-Stars), A. Cariss-Brett, A. Jordan
NEW: Isabelle Porter, 26, 167cm, Box Hill Hawks
BOX HILL HAWKS vs COLLINGWOOD
Saturday 6 April, 12:05pm, Fenjiu Stadium
Head-to-head: Collingwood 5-2; At Fenjiu Stadium: Collingwood 3-0; Streak: Collingwood 1
Last time: Collingwood 7.3 45 def Box Hill Hawks 3.3 21 (April 16, 2023, Fenjiu Stadium)
BOX HILL HAWKS
B: J. Richardson (74), M. Eardley (93)
HB: T. Smith (24), L. Stone (88), E. Everist (25)
C: C. Thorne (32), C. Baskaran (9), M. Williamson (96)
HF: B. Hipwell (19), H. McLaughlin (90)
F: R. Dillon (60), T. Luke (40), T. Fellows (8)
R: G. Matser (49), D. Spamer (42), T. Cattle (48)
INT: A. Muir (59), G. Collingwood (46), A. Kemp (16), M. Kendall (44), C. Davidson (33)
EMG: E. Butler (68), O. Barber (52), J. Cox (37), J. Mourney (39)
IN: C. Baskaran, C. Davidson, T. Fellows, A. Kemp, G. Matser, H. McLaughlin, A. Muir, L. Stone, M. Williamson
OUT: E. Bates, A. McDonagh, C. Sherriff, K. Stratton, L. Wales, E. West (Hawthorn), J. Matin (wrist), E. Butler, A. Embelton
NEW: Mikayla Williamson, 18, 173cm, Pines/Dandenong Stingrays/Southern Saints
COLLINGWOOD
B: M. Ryan (44), J. Ramsdale (51)
HB: N. Watts (62), L. Cronin (27), A. Schutte (32)
C: M. Jarvis (48), M. Ellin (55), H. Dyson (59)
HF: S. Williams (70), A. Peterson (52), G. Osborne (66)
F: K. Day (50), S. Degiacomi (65)
R: L. Pearce (41), J. Anthony (68), S. Ingram (38)
INT: M. Molenberg (37), A. Francese (60), C. Granville (42), F. Walsh (54), R. Grant (53)
EMG: M. Maroney (57), H. Fosbrooke (64)
IN: J. Anthony, K. Day, R. Grant, A. Francese, M. Molenberg
OUT: A. Campbell (U23 All-Stars), M. Freeman (elbow), K. Lennox (quad), C. Remmos (shoulder), C. Taylor (knee)
NEW: Jaide Anthony, 20, 165cm, Sydney AFLW; Alessia Francese, 25, Fitzroy/Darwin Buffettes; Michaela Molenberg, 20, Eltham/Old Yarra
WESTERN BULLDOGS vs SYDNEY SWANS
Saturday 6 April, 1:00pm, Mission Whitten Oval
Head-to-head: Never met
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: E. Cornish (55), C. Ugle (29)
HB: S. Asciak (28), T. Crook (30), A. Snow (57)
C: J. Livingstone (44), D. Carbone (54), T. Skenderis (34
HF: I. McLeay (73), M. McLeod (31), R. Saulitis (56)
F: J. Tabb (63), I. Milford (64)
R: K. Hardingham (66), E. Bishop (35), M. Klingbeil (53)
INT: R. Beuzeville (50), C. Mailer (60), S. Skinner (62), T. Pulcino (36), C. Leonard (38)
EMG: M. Cowan (67), F. Taylor (48), E. Ramsay (46), M. Clifford (47)
IN: C. Leonard
OUT: J. Henry
NEW: Chloe Leonard, 22, Geelong VFLW
SYDNEY SWANS
B: L. Hausegger (26), A. Woodward (13)
HB: K. Hillier (3), A. Martin (1), P. McCarthy (15)
C: L. Gardiner (31), L. Steane (21), E. Vale (23)
HF: M. Beruldsen (33), C. Hamilton (10), S. Grunden (16)
F: G. Davies (27), H. Coooper (2)
R: A. Hamilton (30), M. Ham (18), T. Kennedy (29)
INT: I. Brown (11), A. Whelan (22), P. Sheppard (4), L. Szigeti (28), S. Gulden (20)
EMG: C. Molloy (5)
NEW: VFLW DEBUT (AFLW LISTED): Holly Cooper, Giselle Davies, Montana Ham, Cynthia Hamilton, Lara Hausegger, Kiara Hillier, Tanya Kennedy, Paris McCarthy; VFLW DEBUT (VFLW LISTED): Imogen Brown, Senna Gulden, Abbey Martin; CLUB DEBUT (AFLW LISTED): Montana Beruldsen, Laura Gardiner, Sarah Grunden, Lexi Hamilton, Paige Sheppard, Lisa Steane, Lauren Szigeti, Eliza Vale, Aimee Whelan, Alana Woodward
CARLTON vs GWS GIANTS
Saturday 6 April, 2:00pm, IKON Park
Head-to-head: Never met
CARLTON
B: O. Di Donato (51), G. Lawson-Tavan (27)
HB: H. Bowey (64), E. Hurley (61), S. Demeo (66)
C: K. Skepper (4), B. Vickers (24), E. Wood (50)
HF: M. Anthony (14), M. Austin (22), L. Goss (20)
F: L. Keck (23), S. McCarthy (54)
R: J. Stokes (65), M. Guerin (18), K. Sherar (25)
INT: A. Turner-Funk (53), G. Tait (57), D. Di Santo (76), I. Khoury (52), M. Robertson (15)
EMG: I. Parnell (59), I. Baldwin (70), S. Mooney (78), K. Prendergast (77)
IN: M. Anthony, L. Goss, E. Hurley, G. Lawson-Tavan
OUT: L. Prince (adductor), C. Fitzgerald (AFLW), I. Baldwin, N. Phipps
GWS GIANTS
B: C. McCormick (25), D. Walker (1)
HB: T. Germech (31), T. Evans (18), S. Hall (21)
C: E. Pease (33), K. Srhoj (14), M. Brazendale (23)
HF: J. Doyle (5), S. De Castella (2), S. Kavanagh (30)
F: F. Davies (20), Z. Goldsworthy (7)
R: E. O'Dowd (3), M. Pauga (12), M. Misfud (16)
INT: G. Buchan (40), A. Prosser-Shaw (8), C. Fletcher (29), O. Edwards (35), C. Canavan (10)
NEW: VFLW DEBUT (AFLW LISTED): Madison Brazendale, Fleur Davies, Zarlie Goldsworthy, Cambridge McCormick, Eilish O’Dowd, Mikayla Pauga, Kaitlyn Srhoj; VFLW DEBUT (VFLW LISTED): Charlotte Canavan, Sophia De Castella, Olivia Edwards, Caitlin Fletcher, Teagan Germech, Summer Hall, Sophie Kavanagh, Megan Mifsud, Amelie Prosser-Shaw; CLUB DEBUT (AFLW LISTED): Jess Doyle, Tarni Evans, Emily Pease, Daisy Walker; CLUB DEBUT (VFLW LISTED): Grace Buchan
WILLIAMSTOWN vs PORT MELBOURNE
Saturday 6 April, 2:05pm, DSV Stadium
Head-to-head: 2-2; At DSV Stadium: Port Melbourne 1-0; Streak: Williamstown 1
Last time: Williamstown 5.6 36 def Port Melbourne 5.2 32 (May 20, 2023, ETU Stadium)
WILLIAMSTOWN
B: N. Julian (9), Z. Day (13)
HB: E. Meade (19), L. Stepnell (4), G. Biedenweg-Webster (32)
C: I. Barker (16), E. Eaves (6), M. Edwards (17)
HF: E. Straford (18), S. Whiting (25), T. Brett (20)
F: J. Tweddle-O'Donnell (36), M. Simpson (39)
R: C. Bain (10), M. Williamson (24), A. Thorneycroft (27)
INT: N. Crowley (40), E. Freeman (33), C. Tyrell (11), M. Plunkett (8), K. Leare (1)
EMG: S. Bridgewater (12), L. Blue (47), R. Randell (41), M. Smart (26)
IN: G. Biedenweg-Webster, K. Leare, M. Plunkett
OUT: S. Bridgewater, B. Gray, R. Randell
NEW: Kiera Leare, 19, 161cm, Hillside/Western Jets; Mikayla Plunkett, 22, 163cm, Darebin VFLW (29 games)
PORT MELBOURNE
B: I. Bacon (57), M. McKellar (10)
HB: L. Caruso (5), B. Clarke (23), B. Woolcock (9)
C: I. Stutt (29), A. Dallaway (62), N. Borg (12)
HF: M. Patterson (21), S. Reid (48), C. Wicksteed (39)
F: F. Frew (14), E. Harley (17)
R: B. Wilson (16), A. Seton (36), E. Sheerin (51)
INT: M. Denahy-Maloney (28), K. O'Keefe (18), C. Bromage (4), M. Ford (59), E. Ashley-Cooper (8)
EMG: I. Hartog (2), J. Williams (26)
IN: C. Bromage, A. Dallaway, E. Sheerin, C. Wicksteed, B. Wilson
OUT: B. Lyne (U23 All-Stars), K. Adams, K. Cox, I. Hartog, J. Williams
NEW: Ally Dallaway, 25, 164cm, GWS AFLW; Eilish Sheerin, 31, 174cm, Richmond AFLW; Charli Wicksteed, 21, 169cm, Richmond AFLW
