A recap and highlights of the opening week of the 2025 rebel VFLW Finals Series.

Seagulls take chances to advance
Williamstown moved into week two of the rebel VFLW Finals Series by shutting out Sandringham in a 12-point triumph in the second elimination final.

The Seagulls were able to control proceedings throughout the first half at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval, kicking goals in each term to set up a 16-point advantage at the main break.

However, the visitors would not kick a goal for the remainder of the game and had to absorb a huge amount of pressure from the Zebras during the third term.

The hosts controlled much of the play after the interval and registered four scoring shots in a 12-minute span during the third quarter, however they would all be behinds.

Scoring dried up in the last quarter, but the contest was intense, with Williamstown doing what was needed to hold strong and claim its first finals win since last year’s qualifying final.

Retiring star Ash Thorneycroft set the tone for Williamstown, racking up an astonishing 21 tackles to ensure her career extended by at least one more match.

Emily Eaves was everywhere for the Seagulls and was the only player on the ground to have more than 20 disposals, whilst also producing eight tackles and nine clearances. Cat O’Bryan (35 hitouts) and Megan Williamson (seven tackles) were other strong contributors.

It was a disappointing end to the season for Sandringham in its return to finals for the first time in three years, but the 2025 season is sure to provide a strong platform for futures seasons.

Regular ball winners in Grace Hodder and Abbey Tregellis continued to stand up for the hosts during the elimination final loss, while Ali Hynes had a strong day with 10 disposals, 27 hitouts and 12 tackles.

SANDRINGHAM       0.0   0.1   0.5   0.6 (6)
WILLIAMSTOWN     1.2   2.5   2.5   2.6 (18)

BEST
Sandringham: Abbey Tregellis, Jordan Membrey, Bella Enno, Ali Hynes, Deanna Jolliffe, Stacey Livingstone
Williamstown: Emily Eaves, Ash Thorneycroft, Cat O’Bryan, Megan Williamson, Laura Blue, India Barker

GOALS
Williamstown: Neve Crowley, Isabelle Khoury

LEADING DISPOSALS
Sandringham: Grace Hodder 17, Abbey Tregellis 17, Bella Enno 16, Zoe Barbakos 15, Jordan Membrey 14
Williamstown: Emily Eaves 23, India Barker 13, Megan Williamson13, Ash Thorneycroft 12, Camryn Bux 11, Cat O’Bryan 11

Hawks eliminate Bombers in thriller
The first elimination final at Box Hill City Oval went right down to the wire, with the Box Hill Hawks claiming a one-point victory over Essendon to secure a double chance heading into the semi finals.

Both sides had their moments across the opening three terms but were hard to split with scores level at three quarter time.

Amy Carris-Brett had given the Hawks a six-point led at the first break with a major just seconds before the quarter time siren.

However, the Bombers responded in the second term and two goals in two minutes from Olivia Manfre helped the visitors take the ascendency approaching half time.

Mikayla Lee kicked a much-needed goal for the Box Hill Hawks midway through the third term, before two late behinds tied the scores heading into the final term.

With all to play for, only three scoring shots were produced from both sides in the last period of play, all of which came in the first eight minutes.

Jess Matin gave the Hawks the lead with a goal in the third minute before a behind to Mia Zielinski made the margin seven points.

Essendon star Christina Bernardi kicked a goal against the run of play to bring Essendon back within a point, but it would prove to be the final score of the game as Box Hill saluted for its first finals win since the 2018 Grand Final.

Tess Cattle and Isla Baldwin were each excellent in the narrow victory, the latter producing nine tackles for the second time in three matches, while Nat Exon, Matilda Van Berkel and Paige Price also impressed.

The Bombers still won plenty of admirers despite their season coming to end. Skipper El Chaston and Lucy Thompson each had 20 disposal, while Ashlea Melnikas (16 disposals, 10 tackles, seven clearances) did all she could to help will her side over the line.

BOX HILL HAWKS     2.2   2.2   3.4   4.5 (29)
ESSENDON                 1.2   3.4   3.4   4.4 (28)

BEST
Box Hill Hawks: Nat Exon, Matilda Van Berkel, Gabby Collingwood, Jess Matin, Annabelle Embelton, Tess Cattle
Essendon: El Chaston, Ashlea Melnikas, Lucy Thompson, Maddison Ford, Olivia Manfre, Layla Prince

GOALS
Box Hill Hawks: Jess Matin 2, Amy Cariss-Brett, Mikayla Lee
Essendon: Olivia Manfre 2, Christina Bernardi, Samantha Johnson

LEADING DISPOSALS
Box Hill Hawks: Tess Cattle 21, Isla Baldwin 18, Nat Exon 18, Emma Juneja 16, Matilda Van Berkel 16
Essendon: El Chaston 20, Lucy Thompson 20, Abbey McDonald 17, Ashlea Melnikas 16, Marnie Robinson 15

Pies end Roos streak in big statement
Collingwood staked its claim as a true premiership contender with a commanding 13-point win over North Melbourne-Werribee in the qualifying final at Arden Street Oval.

The Magpies have now accounted for two of the reigning premiers’ three defeats in 2025, with Saturday’s result ending the Roos’ eight-game winning streak.

Collingwood opened the scoring via a goal to Amelia Peck in the second minute in a sign of what was to come.

And when Tahlia Fellows kicked their second at the 15-minute mark of the opening term in response to a Nyakoat Dojiok major, the Magpies would not lose the lead for the rest of the afternoon, with the margin only reaching single figures once after half time.

Collingwood broke the game open with a four-goal burst in the second term to open a 25-point advantage at the main break.

The Magpies then absorbed the Roos’ attacks forward while making the most of their chances when going forward themselves, finishing with a winning score despite registering two less scoring shots.

Amelia Peck’s brilliant form remained for the Pies, snaring a second successive four-goal haul which was critical in her side’s victory. Courtney Jones had a season-high eight tackles, four of those inside 50, to go with 13 disposals.

Tamara Henry had one of her best games in black and white, picking up 19 disposals and three marks, while also playing a role in keeping 2025 Rohenna Young medallist Nyakoat Dojiok to just 1.2 for the match.

Leading the way for North Melbourne-Werribee was Alana Barba who was a clear standout for the minor premiers. She finished the qualifying final with 28 disposals, 20 clearances and 10 tackles, while Tahlia Meier kicked two majors and was the hosts’ only multiple goal kicker.

The Roos will now need to take the long route to defend their premiership, beginning with a clash with Williamstown in the first semi final, while the Magpies take on Box Hill Hawks in the second semi final where the winner will secure the first Grand Final spot.

NORTH MELBOURNE-WERRIBEE     1.2   2.2   3.5   4.8 (32)
COLLINGWOOD                                     2.1   6.3   6.3   7.3 (45)

BEST
North Melbourne-Werribee: Alana Barba, Stella Reid, Maddie Di Cosmo, Matilda Zander, Mia-Rae Clifford, Elisabeth Jackson
Collingwood: Tamara Henry, Dominique Carbone, Lauren Szigeti, Caitlin Matthews, Erin McKinnon, Amelia Peck

GOALS
North Melbourne-Werribee: Tahlia Meier 2, Nyakoat Dojiok, Charlotte Ryan
Collingwood: Amelia Peck 4, Tayla Christensen, Sienna Courtney, Tahlia Fellows

LEADING DISPOSALS
North Melbourne-Werribee: Alana Barba 28, Stella Reid 19, Maddie Di Cosmo 17, Elisabeth Jackson 16, Matilda Zander 16,
Collingwood: Tahlia Sanger 20, Tamara Henry 19, Dominique Carbone 18, Lauren Szigeti 16, Amelia Peck 14