It all comes down to this.
Collingwood and North Melbourne-Werribee are both seeking rebel VFLW premiership success for the second time in the competition’s history in what is set to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 rebel VFLW season at ETU Stadium on Saturday.
Having reached their fourth Grand Final, the Magpies are looking to add to their 2019 premiership, while the Kangaroos are on the hunt to become just the second club behind Darebin to win back-to-back flags.
The reigning premiers took out the minor premiership with a 12-2 record and headed into the finals campaign on an eight-game winning streak.
At that stage, there seemed little doubt that the Roos would return to the Grand Final, but their shock loss to Collingwood in the qualifying final saw them divert to the long route to get to the premiership decider.
They’ve since produced two statement-making victories, which included registering their highest score since Round 13 in last week’s 21-point triumph over the Box Hill Hawks in the preliminary final.
Collingwood has been the form team of the post-season and have not tasted defeat since Round 11, when they went down to an after-the-siren defeat to a Carlton side stacked with AFLW talent.
The Magpies will take great confidence in their head-to-head record against the minor premiers, having won both encounters this year by 13 points which will give fans plenty of reason to believe the VFLW premiership cup can return to the AIA Centre this year.
Both meetings this season have produced near identical scorelines but on neutral territory and with wet conditions expected on Saturday, anything is on the table.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tahlia Sanger (Collingwood)
The breakout star must be one of the leading contenders for the Debbie Lee Rising Star Award. She produced a 20-disposal, four-clearance performance in her side’s qualifying final win over the Kangaroos and has only dipped below 20 disposals once since Round 8. Despite being just 19 years of age, she has a brilliant ability to win the ball at the coalface but also apply plenty of pressure going the other way. Those skills will be key to helping her Collingwood to lifting the premiership cup on Saturday.
Amelia Peck (Collingwood)
Peck has been in terrific goal kicking form throughout 2025 and her four majors against the Roos in the qualifying final will give her confidence she can be one of the keys to Collingwood’s success on Saturday. With 23 majors for the season, Peck is also a threat in the air and has taken contested marks in her last four consecutive matches, illustrating her strength as one of the best forwards in the competition.
Dominique Carbone (Collingwood)
Produced a stirring performance to get the Magpies into the Grand Final a fortnight ago, racking up 26 disposals, four score involvements and kicking the game sealing major against Box Hill Hawks in in the second semi final. Having led the Western Bulldogs in last year’s Grand Final defeat to the Kangaroos, she’ll have the extra motivation to go one better on Saturday.
Tamara Henry (Collingwood)
Has been incredibly resolute in defence for the Pies this season and comes into the decider in great form as she prepares to take on the competition’s most prolific scoring team. In her last four matches she has averaged 15.5 disposals, 7.5 intercept possessions and more than three marks a game. Had 19 touches and seven rebound 50s in the qualifying final.
Nyakoat Dojiok (North Melbourne-Werribee)
Who else? Despite being contained to just three goals in three finals this year, Dojiok’s goal kicking ability cannot be doubted. Booted 37 majors in the home and away season, which was more than double any player in the competition. While she hasn’t hit the scoreboard as prolifically in the finals, she has had match-high score involvements in two of the past three finals, which included nine of against Williamstown in the first semi final. Loves the big stage and won the Lisa Hardeman Medal in last year’s Grand Final, when she booted four goals.
Maddie Di Cosmo (North Melbourne-Werribee)
Has been one of the reasons why North Melbourne-Werribee has again been so dominant in 2025. A key to the Kangaroos’ engine, she is a ball magnet and tackling machine. Was well contained by the Magpies in the qualifying final, but comes into the Grand Final off an impressive preliminary final effort which included 22 disposals, six clearances and five inside 50s. Had 20 disposals and 11 tackles in last year’s premiership decider.
Alana Barba (North Melbourne-Werribee)
Like Di Cosmo, Barba knows how to find plenty of the football, averaging close to 24 disposals a game across the season. She also loves the tough stuff and tackles with intent. Was her side’s best player in the qualifying final loss to the Magpies, racking up 28 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 10 tackles and 10 clearances. Has been a dominant player on Grand Final day before, winning the Lisa Hardeman Medal in Essendon’s 2022 Grand Final win and was among the best in North’s triumph over the Western Bulldogs last year.
Jemmika Douglas (North Melbourne-Werribee)
May not have the profile of some of her more experienced teammates, but the 19-year-old has been extremely impressive in defence for the minor premiers. Comes into the premiership decider averaging six intercept possessions a game across her past four matches. Has also had back-to-back games with four rebound 50s. Another similar output from Douglas will be important in keeping the Pies to a low score.
2025 MEETINGS
QUALIFYING FINAL – Arden Street Oval
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
ROUND 6 – Victoria Park
COLLINGWOOD 1.2 1.4 4.4 7.4 (46)
NORTH MELBOURNE-WERRIBEE 3.2 5.2 5.2 5.3 (33)
BEST
Collingwood: Lily-Rose Williamson, Jemma Ramsdale, Dominique Carbone, Amelia Peck, Bella Clarke, Charlotte Brewer
North Melbourne-Werribee: Stella Reid, Elisabeth Jackson, Alana Barba, Madeleine Di Cosmo, Charlotte Blair, Zara Flanigan
GOALS
Collingwood: Amelia Peck, Lily-Rose Williamson 2, Sophia de Castella, Chloe Hunt, Courtney Jones
North Melbourne-Werribee: Alana Barba, Nyakoat Dojiok, Tahlia Meier, Kelsie Ternes, Matilda Zander
2025 rebel VFLW Grand Final
Collingwood vs North Melbourne-Werribee
Saturday, August 30
3:15pm
ETU Stadium, Port Melbourne
ENTRY CONDITIONS
Entry to the rebel VFLW Grand Finals is free.
Spectators are advised dogs are not permitted into ETU Stadium.
BROADCAST
The 2025 rebel VFLW Grand Final will be broadcast live and free on the AFL website and AFL Live Official App.