A review of all the action from Round 4 of the 2025 rebel VFLW season.
DAREBIN FALCONS 0.2 1.3 1.6 3.8 (26)
COLLINGWOOD 1.2 2.3 3.3 3.5 (23)
Monique De Matteo came back to haunt her old club when she booted a goal with a minute on the clock to hand Darebin its first win of the rebel VFLW season in a three-point thriller against Collingwood at Genis Steel Oval.
The Falcons had not beaten the Magpies in eight previous attempts and that seemed likely to stretch to nine when Collingwood, playing in its 100th VFLW match, led a low-scoring contest by nine points at three quarter-time.
But Darebin came to life kicking with the wind in the final term. The Falcons were sparked by a play involving most of their best players in the third minute when a Riley Christgoergl tackle allowed Lulu Beatty to hit up Alyssa Mifsud at half-forward.
Mifsud’s long kick saw De Matteo crash a pack and allow the ball to fall over the back to co-captain Steph Simpson on her own to set up a nervy final term.
Both teams missed chances to take the win. Lily-Rose Williamson’s long shot just fell short for Collingwood, De Matteo’s handball to Nicole Callinan resulted in an off-target dribble kick and a blistering four-bounce run from Annie Muir and pass to Amelia Peck wasn’t rewarded when Peck missed from a tight angle.
Then, after some brilliant defence denied both teams, Christgoergl intercepted a clearance in the middle and drove it forward where De Matteo took a powerful mark on the lead and kicked truly from 35m out to take the lead for the first time since the opening five minutes.
With 20 seconds left to win it, Tamara Henry charged off half-back for Collingwood and pumped it deep into attack, but it fell half a metre short of Peck’s diving attempt and she was set upon as the siren sounded.
Star midfielder Ange Gogos was again unstoppable for Darebin with a whopping 23 of her 33 disposals being contested as she added 17 clearances and laid 13 tackles in a powerhouse display.
Fellow veterans Mifsud and Callinan also caused plenty of headaches, young gun Lulu Beatty was prominent again and Rohenna Young medallist De Matteo shrugging off her slow start to the year to kick two crucial majors.
Tahlia Sanger continued the brilliant start to her debut campaign with 24 disposals, nine marks, eight tackles and a goal for Collingwood, while Lily-Rose Williamson was in everything with 10 contested possessions, six marks and nine tackles.
Courtney Jones took seven grabs in a strong display and Molly Eatsman provided a strong link-up as Lambert-Pearce medallist Dom Carbone played almost exclusively forward and was held to just eight touches and six tackles.
BEST
Darebin Falcons: Ange Gogos, Alyssa Mifsud, Caley Ryan, Monique DeMatteo, Lulu Beatty, Nicole Callinan
Collingwood: Erin McKinnon, Tahlia Sanger, Amelia Peck, Annie Muir, Lily-Rose Williamson, Lilly Leighton
GOALS
Darebin Falcons: Monique DeMatteo 2, Steph Simpson
Collingwood: Lilly Leighton, Amelia Peck, Tahlia Sanger
DISPOSALS
Darebin Falcons: Ange Gogos 33, Alyssa Mifsud 24, Nicole Callinan 18, Lulu Beatty 18 Collingwood: Tahlia Sanger 24, Lily-Rose Williamson 22, Molly Eastman 22, Courtney Jones 20
GEELONG CATS 0.1 0.1 2.5 2.5 (17)
SANDRINGHAM 2.1 4.5 7.5 10.6 (66)
SANDRINGHAM remains the only undefeated team in the rebel VFLW after breezing past Geelong by 49 points at Deakin University.
After finishing 11th as the Southern Saints last year, the Zebras have taken on a new name, new colours, several star recruits and a new lease on life as they took control midway through the first quarter and were never seriously challenged on Saturday.
The Cats scored first with a rushed behind after three minutes but didn’t add to that until another rushed addition four minutes into the third, by which time the Zebras were more than five goals in front.
Geelong did have a purple patch with Chloe Bryant and Jemima Woods hitting the target 71 seconds apart late in the quarter, but there wasn’t much more joy as it fell to an 11th consecutive defeat.
The Zebras were bolstered by the return of 2023 best and fairest Winnie Laing and she picked up as if she had never been away with 24 possessions (12 contested), six marks and five tackles, while Abbey Tregellis (16 contested possessions, eight clearances, nine tackles) and Imogen Evans (12 contested, six clearances, five tackles, eight inside-50s) were similarly powerful in the contest and Erica Fowler dominated the ruck with 20 touches, 30 hitouts and seven entries.
In attack, third gamer Maiya Stobie cashed in with two goals in her first appearance of the season, with Emily Shepherd and Chloe Saultry also hitting the target twice.
Youngster Mekah Morrissy was the Cats’ best in just her fifth game adding nine tackles and six clearances to her 20 disposals, while Abby Favell (16 contested possessions, nine clearances, nine tackles) again led from the front, Hayley Peck provided a strong contest and Bryant also did well.
BEST
Geelong Cats: Mekah Morrissy, Hayley Peck, Abby Favell, Faith Qoon, Chloe Bryant, Jemima Woods
Sandringham: Maiya Stobie, Abbey Tregellis, Imogen Evans, Winnie Laing, Emily Shepherd, Chloe Bailey
GOALS
Geelong Cats: Chloe Bryant, Jemima Woods
Sandringham: Chloe Saultry, Emily Shepherd, Maiya Stobie 2, Chloe Bailey, Zoe Barbakos, Arianna Clarke, Imogen Evans
DISPOSALS
Geelong Cats: Abby Favell 24, Mekah Morrissy 20, Zoe Cowan 19, Chloe Bryant 17
Sandringham: Winnie Lang 24, Abbey Tregellis 20, Erica Fowler 20, Imogen Evans 20
ESSENDON 1.2 3.4 5.7 7.7 (49)
CARLTON 1.1 1.1 2.2 3.4 (22)
ESSENDON moved back into the top six as a clear gap starts to open between the top seven and bottom five, cruising to a 27-point win over Carlton at Windy Hill.
The Bombers only led by a point at quarter-time after Lucy Burke’s late major for the Blues but eased clear with two goals in each of the next three quarters to win convincingly. The back-to-back goals from Abbey McDonald and Jayda Richardson out of the half-time break put paid to any hope the visitors had.
Carlton didn’t give up and didn’t ever let the Bombers get completely off the chain, actually winning disposals (+11), marks (+28), hitouts (+7), clearances (+8) and tackles (+16).
AFLW talent Brooke Vickers (12 contested possessions, 10 tackles) led the way and found plenty of help from Hannah Scott, Amy Trindade (11 contested possessions, six clearances, five tackles), Steph Demeo, Amelia Velardo and Sophia McCarthy.
But the Bombers were simply too efficient, with recruit Abbey McDonald again best afield with 22 possessions and two goals, while Layla Prince had the best of the ruck, pocket rocket Ava Jordan bobbed up with a couple of majors and Sarah Ford and El Chaston also proved prolific.
BEST
Essendon: Abbey McDonald, layla Prince, Maddison Albrecht, Ava Jordan, Sarah Ford, Tia Davidge
Carlton: Hannah Scott, Amelia Velardo, Stephanie Demeo, Sophia McCarthy, Lucy Burke, Emma Horne
GOALS
Essendon: Ava Jordan, Abbey McDonald 2, Christina Bernardi, Scarlett Orritt, Jayda Richardson
Carlton: Lucy Burke, Sophia McCarthy
DISPOSALS
Essendon: Abbey McDonald 22, El Chaston 21, Sarah Ford 19, Tia Davidge 15.
Carlton: Brooke Vickers 23, Amy Trindade 22, Steph Demeo 21, Amelia Velardo 18, Sophia McCarthy 18
WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.3 6.6 9.10 11.13 (79)
CASEY DEMONS 0.0 1.0 1.0 2.2 (14)
THE Western Bulldogs made short work of the Casey Demons at Mission Whitten Oval on Saturday, romping to a record 65-point triumph.
It was the Bulldogs’ highest score and biggest win over the Demons by some distance and the third highest score and winning margin in their history.
it was one-way traffic from the opening ball-up as home side piled on 4.3 without reply in the first quarter.
While Zara Klein put the visitors on the board just seconds into the second quarter, Dom Carruthers quickly responded with her second and the Bulldogs booted seven without reply as the Demons struggled to get the ball past the centre until Alice Robinson grabbed a consolation in the last minute.
The Bulldogs’ dominance was shown in their +122 disposal win, while they finished with an astonishing 54-18 inside-50 count as they had 11 of the top 12 ball winners.
They were led by Debbie Lee medallist Keeley Hardingham’s 21 disposals, six marks, 22 hitouts and six entries and AFLW teammates Brit Gutknecht, Jess Fitzgerald and Elaine Grigg, while No.8 draft pick Emma McDonald shone with 16 touches, eight marks and two goals, while Bree McFarlane booted three.
Zoe Mitchell worked overtime to be Casey’s best, winning six clearances and laying five tackles, while Kasey Phillips and Sophie Casey were tireless under siege on the last line of defence and Tylah Burn and Shree Fairchild laid eight tackles each.
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Keeley Hardingham, Brianna McFarlane, Stephanie Asciak, Brooke Barwick, Emma McDonald, Elaine Grigg
Casey Demons: Zoe Mitchell, Kasey Phillips, Sophie Casey, Tylah Burn, Zahri Burn, Tiger Doultree
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Bree McFarlane 3, Dom Carruthers, Elaine Grigg, Emma McDonald 2, Naomi Ferres, Louise Stephenson
Casey Demons: Zara Klein, Alice Robinson
DISPOSALS
Western Bulldogs: Brit Gutknecht 22, Keeley Hardingham 21, Jess Fitzgerald 21, Elaine Grigg 18
Casey Demons: Zoe Mitchell 18, Meg Macdonald 15, Tegan Williams 12
NORTH MELBOURNE-WERRIBEE 2.1 4.3 7.4 9.7 (61)
BOX HILL HAWKS 2.1 3.1 3.2 4.3 (27)
NORTH Melbourne-Werribee took its frustrations out on a highly credentialled opponent in devastating fashion, thrashing the Box Hill Hawks by 34 points to reaffirm its premiership favouritism.
The Kangaroos slipped to a shock loss to Essendon last week and were challenged for a half by the previously undefeated Hawks, but they put their foot down after the long break with five goals to one to run out ominous winners.
They kicked their highest score and banked their biggest win across their seven meetings with the Hawks, spurred into action after Gabby Collingwood kicked the first goal for the visitors in the sixth minute to kick the next two before being held to a stalemate at the first break.
Debutant Kelsie Ternes goalled six minutes into the second term and Lisa Hardeman medallist Nyakoat Dojiok added another two minutes later to set the wheels in motion as premiership players Maddie Di Cosmo (27 disposals at 88.9 percent efficiency), Renee Tierney (21 disposals, one goal) and Alana Barba (18 disposals, 13 tackles) proved too classy.
Charlotte Ryan (25 disposals, 12 contested, six tackles) and Jemmika Douglas also starred as Ternes, Dojiok, Tahlia Meier and Charlotte Blair all kicked two goals.
Paige Price was the Hawks’ best with a terrific effort in the ruck that yielded 17 touches 28 hitouts and seven tackles, Matilda van Berkel tried hard in defence, Isla Baldwin worked well through the middle and forwards Stasia Stevenson, Jess Matin and 50th gamer Miz Kendall did their best with limited opportunities to kick a goal apiece.
BEST
North Melbourne: Gen Lawson Tavan, Tahlia Meier, Renee Tierney, Charlotte Ryan, Amanda Ling, Elisabeth Jackson
Box Hill Hawks: Paige Price, Matilda Van Berkel, Isla Baldwin, Stasia Stevenson, Tess Cattle, Nat Exon
GOALS
North Melbourne: Charlotte Blair, Nyakoat Dojiok, Tahlia Meier, Kelsie Ternes 2, Renee Tierney
Box Hill Hawks: Gabby Collingwood, Miz Kendall, Jess Matin, Stasia Stevenson
DISPOSALS
North Melbourne-Werribee: Maddie Di Cosmo 27, Charlotte Ryan 25, Renee Tierney 21, Jemmika Douglas 19, Alana Barba 19
Box Hill Hawks: Paige Price 17, Stasia Stevenson 16, Isla Baldwin 15
WILLIAMSTOWN 1.1 3.3 3.3 4.3 (27)
PORT MELBOURNE 2.1 3.2 4.5 5.7 (37)
PORT Melbourne continued its impressive start to the year and tipped arch-rival Williamstown out of the top six with a hard-fought 10-point victory over the Seagulls at DSV Stadium.
The Borough kicked the opening two goals through Jordan Mifsud and Kaitlyn O’Keefe, only to see the home team peg them back to take a one-point advantage and momentum into half-time.
But whatever Tom Chitsos said at the main break worked because Port came out strong and should have had a bigger gap than eight points after kicking 1.3 to 0.0 as the Seagulls shut down defensively to set up a big last quarter.
O’Keefe, who will play her 50th game in Round 5, got on the end of a fast centre break from the first ball-up of the last quarter to stretch the lead to 14, and although Emily Eaves hit back immediately the damage was done and Williamstown wasn’t able to score again.
The Borough shared the workload around to secure this victory built more on hard work than brilliant footy, with Lauren Caruso (seven tackles, five clearances), third gamer Nicola Davidson (eight tackles), and Jordan Mifsud (nine contested disposals, six tackles) being strong in the contest, while O’Keefe and Courteney Bromage finished things off well with two goals apiece.
Emily Eaves (14 contested possessions, eight clearances, one goal) and Megan Williamson (11 tackles) put in their usual big shifts under the packs for Williamstown, with Jemima Wrigley and Gabby De Angelis impressing on the outside and Neve Crowley providing a target at half forward.
BEST
Williamstown: Jemima Wrigley, Emily Eaves, Gabriella De Angelis, Megan Smart, Eloise Freeman, Neve Crowley
Port Melbourne: Not submitted
GOALS
Williamstown: Teagan Brett, Neve Crowley, Emily Eaves, Brittney Gray
Port Melbourne: Courteney Bromage, Kaitlyn O'Keefe 2, Jordan Mifsud
DISPOSALS
Williamstown: Jemima Wrigley 17, Emily Eaves 16, Gabriella De Angelis 14
Port Melbourne: Lauren Caruso 16, Charlie Anderson 15, Mia Caffry, Nicola Davidson, Jordan Mifsud 14