The opening round of the VFLW season was highlighted by a historic clash in Tasmania, statement-making performances from last year’s grand finalists and a nailbiter in Sandringham.

DAREBIN         0.0   2.0   3.1   5.3 (33)
CARLTON        2.6   5.6   7.7   7.8 (50)

Carlton led from start to finish in the season opener to get its campaign off on the right foot, defeating Darebin by 17 points at Preston City Oval. The Blues dominated for much of the first half, keeping the Falcons scoreless for more than 30 minutes and reaching a game-high lead of 36 points at the 13-minute mark of the second quarter. The hosts were a more competitive outfit in the second half of their annual Pride Round match and reduced the final margin below three goals. Zoe Larkins and Hannah Scott were key players for the Blues, both amassing 25 touches while the latter also recorded 12 tackles in the triumph. Sophia McCarthy booted two of Carlton’s seven majors, while for Darebin, it was Caitlin Bunker who led from the front with 24 disposals, six tackles and a goal.

BEST
Darebin: Caitlin Bunker, Lulu Beatty, Kasey Lennox, Isabella Daddo, Catia Cococcia, Monique DeMatteo
Carlton: Grace Matser, Ellie Sbeghen, Sophia McCarthy, Mia Fuller, Octavia Di Donato, Hannah Scott
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PORT MELBOURNE                               2.3   2.3   2.4      2.6 (18)
NORTH MELBOURNE WERRIBEE  0.4   1.9   4.13   8.14 (62)

New season, new coach – same old North Melbourne Werribee. The two-time reigning premier didn’t take long to display its best football, with a strong second half seeing the Kangaroos storm to a 44-point win over Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium. The final result looked unlikely at quarter time when the Borough had kicked the only two majors of the first term. Inaccuracy threatened to haunt the Roos, who kicked 1.9 to half time, but they got to work in the second half, piling on eight goals to zero to cruise past their hosts. Star midfielder Maddie Di Cosmo produced a dominant showing with 32 disposals, seven clearances and a goal that helped her team break away. Shelby Knoll kicked two goals from seven scoring shots to be the dominant forward in the match in her first game for her new team. Mia Caffry was among Port Melbourne’s best with 14 touches and 10 tackles, while Alexandra McBride-Loane impressed on debut.

BEST
Port Melbourne: Alexandra McBride-Loane, Mia Caffry, Seisia White, Maya Crestani, Maggie McKellar, Eloise Ashley-Cooper
North Melbourne Werribee: Madeleine Di Cosmo, Alana Barba, Shelby Knoll, Abby Favell, Charlotte Ryan
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SANDRINGHAM         0.0   4.2   4.2   6.5 (41)
ESSENDON                  2.1   4.3   4.7   5.8 (38)

The closest result of the opening round took place at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval, where Sandringham surged late to prevail by three points over Essendon. The Bombers started the better of the two sides, producing all the scoring shots of the first quarter and leading by as much as 14 points in the second before the Zebras fought back with consecutive majors to trail by just one point at the main break. Essendon kicked the only four scores of the third term, but could only muster behinds which kept the Zebras in the contest. Trailing by five points with seven minutes to go, the home side made its move, with Tayla Kearns’ second goal proving to be the match winner. Grace Hodder (24 disposals, 16 contested possessions) and Deanna Jolliffe (20 disposals, 10 intercepts) were both superb for Sandringham, while El Chaston led Essendon brilliantly amassing 24 touches and kicking a goal.

BEST
Sandringham: Deanna Jolliffe, Grace Hodder, Zoe Barbakos, Courtney Aughtie, Tayla Kearns, Lily Skinner
Essendon: El Chaston, Maddison Ford, Chloe Hunt, Brooke Plummer, Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb, Drew Ryan
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GEELONG CATS         1.0   2.2   3.2   3.2 (20)
WILLIAMSTOWN       3.0   7.2   9.3   12.3 (75)

Williamstown made an early statement, trashing Geelong by 55 points at Deakin University. An accurate Seagulls side impressed from start to finish, kicking multiple goals in each quarter to record their highest score since Round 10, 2024, also against the same opponent. 20-year-old Mia Zielinski was outstanding inside attacking 50, kicking four goals and taking eight marks on her club debut after joining from the Box Hill Hawks. Reigning Coaches MVP Award winner Emily Eaves (22 disposals, 5 clearances, 1 goal) continued where she left off last year and was influential in the middle of the ground. Isabella Davies was a highlight for the Cats despite the result, amassing 17 disposals while also having 10 tackles.

BEST
Geelong Cats: Annie Lee, Lucy Marescuk, Bindi Crabtree, Elise Cook, Hayley Peck
Williamstown: Mia Zielinski, Emily Eaves, Ellen Williams, Gabriella De Angelis, Naomi Ferres, Zara Guss
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TASMANIA                    1.0   3.0   4.3   4.5 (29)
CASEY DEMONS       4.4   4.5   5.6   8.6 (54)

History was made in Tasmania with the Devils playing first VFLW match when they hosted the Casey Demons at North Hobart Oval. Unfortunately for the home side, they couldn’t celebrate with a win, going down by 25 points. The Demons booted four majors in the opening term, two goals either side of Tasmania’s first ever VFLW major courtesy of Libby Haines. It was Casey’s Anna Vrsecky who was the star of the first quarter, kicking two goals and producing five of her side’s eight scoring shots for the term. Trailing by 22 points at quarter time, the Devils chipped away at the deficit across the next two quarters and trailed by just nine points at three quarter time. However, the Demons kicked the last three goals of the match to secure the triumph. Vrsecky finished with three majors whilst Meg MacDonald starred with ball in hand, having 26 disposals and 11 tackles. Haines was one of Tasmania’s best with 19 disposals.

BEST
Tasmania: Libby Haines, Georgia Nicholas, Angelica Clark, Jessie Williams, Perri King, Joherty Revell
Casey Demons: Meg Macdonald, Michelle Podnecky, Anna Vrsecky, Kasey Phillips, Tylah Burn, Abbey Rabot
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BOX HILL HAWKS     0.0   1.2   4.2   5.7 (37)
COLLINGWOOD        4.4   7.8   8.8   9.10 (64)

A first half masterclass from Collingwood helped it take care of Box Hill by 27 points at Box Hill City Oval in a replay of last year’s second semi final. The Hawks were kept to just three scoring shots in the first half as last year’s runner-up ran rampant with a four-goal first term and a three-goal second quarter to lead by 42 points at half time. The home side’s best quarter came in the third as they slowed the Magpies down and reduced the deficit to 30 points at the final change. But despite winning the final term, Box Hill never threatened to snatch the win. Dom Carbone made a red-hot start to the season, leading the way with 23 disposals, six clearances and a goal. Amelia Peck and Ash Patton each kicked two majors, while Erin McKinnon was outstanding in the ruck and amassed 50 hitouts. Matilda Van Berkel produced a solid effort for Box Hill and had 16 disposals, three contested marks and a goal.

BEST
Box Hill Hawks: Matilda Van Berkel, Annabelle Embelton, Sienna Sharp, Stasia Stevenson, Emma Stilve, Ella Stoddart
Collingwood: Dominique Carbone, Erin McKinnon, Amelia Peck, Macy Watkins, Abbey Tregellis, Frances Walsh
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