The top three teams again asserted their dominance, while Essendon opened its account with an upset over a fierce rival.

SANDRINGHAM                       1.1        3.1        5.2        6.5 (41)
GEELONG CATS                       1.1        2.3        2.4        2.7 (19)

Sandringham broke away in the second half to prevail over Geelong by 22 points at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval. A week after fading in a defeat to Carlton, the Zebras ran out the game much better to return to the winners’ list. The Cats held a slight lead for much of the early stages before the Zebras turned a four-point half time advantage into a 16-point three quarter time lead after kicking two majors in four minutes to close out the third term. They would produce the only major of the final quarter to end the round in fourth position. Courtney Aughtie was excellent inside 50 and kicked three majors, whilst also having an influence in the ruck and teammate Grace Hodder had arguably her best performance of the year with a season-high 26 touches, as well as 10 tackles and five clearances. Geelong’s Lucy Marescuk maintained her solid form and finished with 22 disposals and six rebound 50s.

BEST
Sandringham: Ava Bibby, Grace Hodder, Sunday Hollingsworth, Courtney Aughtie, Deanna Jolliffe
Geelong Cats: Axel Oswald, Bindi Crabtree, Lucy Marescuk, Brooke Borchard, Jenna Hurring, Elise Cook
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DAREBIN                               0.1        0.2        2.3        2.4 (16)
WESTERN BULLDOGS          2.2        3.3        4.5        4.5 (29)

The Western Bulldogs bounced back from a heavy Round 3 defeat with a 13-point win over Darebin at Mission Whitten Oval. The Bulldogs were the better of the two sides in the opening half, keeping the Falcons goalless whilst skipping out to a 19-point half time advantage. Darebin mounted a comeback in the third term with two quick majors in the opening five minutes to reduce the margin to single figures and despite keeping the Western Bulldogs scoreless in the final term, the Falcons were unable to find the big sticks. Jorja Livingstone made scoring tough for her opponents and finished as one of the Bulldogs best with 28 disposals, eight tackles and six intercepts, while Erica Fowler dominated ruck proceedings with 37 hitouts and 21 disposals. Caitlin Bunker was once again a standout for the Falcons with 21 touches and a goal.

BEST
Darebin: Caitlin Bunker, Mia Spiteri, Alyssa Mifsud, Caley Ryan, Shannon Egan, Avaa Hishwanga-Gibb
Western Bulldogs: Kiera Leare, Jorja Livingstone, Jemima Wrigley, Mary Sandral, Stephanie Asciak
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COLLINGWOOD                      4.2        6.4        8.6        11.8 (74)
CASEY DEMONS                      0.0        0.1        1.2        1.2 (8)

A week after producing its highest ever VFLW score, Collingwood continued its dominant start to 2026 with another scintillating display. This time the Magpies took apart the Casey Demons, winning by 66 points at the KGM Centre. Setting the tone with a four-goal to nil opening quarter, the Pies dominated possession and barely saw the ball enter their defensive 50 during the first half. Leading by 39 points at the main break, the Magpies conceded the first goal of the third term before kicking the last five majors of the game to remain atop the VFLW ladder. Collingwood had three multiple goalkickers, led by Tahlia Fellows and Macy Watkins with three apiece. Tahlia Sanger continues to get better each week and produced a performance that included 26 disposals, 10 tackles and five clearances. Shining bright for the Demons on a difficult afternoon was Meg MacDonald with 21 disposals and seven clearances, why Tylah Burn had 18 disposals and 11 tackles.

BEST
Collingwood: Macy Watkins, Tahlia Sanger, Dominique Carbone, Abbey Tregellis, Erin McKinnon, Charlotte Gilmore
Casey Demons: Kasey Phillips, Lillian Snow, Shree Fairchild, Tylah Burn, Meg Macdonald, Zahri Burn
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TASMANIA                                       1.1        2.1        4.1        5.1 (31)
NORTH MELBOURNE WERRIBEE   5.3        10.4     12.8     15.11 (101)

North Melbourne Werribee continues to dominate in the early stages of the 2026 season, this time teaching the new kids on the block a lesson with a 70-point victory over Tasmania at North Hobart Oval. The difference in class between the two sides was on show from the opening siren, as the Roos produced consecutive first-goal quarters to start the game before take a 51-point advantage into half time. The buffer continued to extend as the match went on. The star of the show was Brooke Sheridan, who booted seven majors, with six of them coming in an outstanding first half. She had plenty of support inside 50, with Renee Tierney booting three majors to be the other multiple goal kicker for the reigning premiers. In the middle, Ava Seton starred with 23 disposals and seven clearances and Madie Di Cosmo had another huge game. Ava Read (13 disposals, one goal) and Georgia Nicholas (two goals) were some of the Devils best. The one sour note for the Kangaroos was a knee injury sustained by in-form forward Shelby Knoll on the final siren.

BEST
Tasmania: Ava Read, Gabbi Featherston, Perri King, Angelica Clark, Kelsie Hill, Grace White
North Melbourne Werribee: Brooke Sheridan, Madeleine Di Cosmo, Renee Tierney, Molly Eastman, Poppy Schaap, Ava Seton
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ESSENDON                                               4.0        6.1        8.2        10.3 (63)
CARLTON                                                   1.2        2.3        2.6        4.7 (31)

Essendon got off the mark in 2026, picking up its first victory of the campaign with a 32-point upset over Carlton at Windy Hill on Sunday. After trailing early in the first quarter, the Bombers produced three goals in three minutes to end the first term which proved to be the catalyst to breaking the game open. The home side would get out to a 22-point half time advantage, with the Blues unable to challenge thereafter as the margin remained above 20 points for the remainder of the game. Three goals each from Christina Bernardi and Tia Davidge ensured the Bombers would go on to kick a winning score, with teammate Amelie Gladman controlling things in the middle with 20 disposals and 11 contested possessions. Hannah Scott continues to impress for Carlton with a fine 19-disposal performance, while Nell Morris-Dalton was also terrific with 19 disposals, whilst kicking two goals.

BEST
Essendon: Amelie Gladman, Christina Bernardi, Grace Azzopardi, Jemma Reynolds, Madison Ibrahim, Ashlea Melnikas
Carlton: Nell Morris-Dalton, Emma Horne, Emily Elkington, Stephanie Demeo, Katelyn Busuttil, Mia Fuller
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PORT MELBOURNE                               0.3        0.4        0.5        0.9 (9)
WILLIAMSTOWN                                  2.2        2.2        7.5        7.8 (50)

Williamstown produced back-to-back commanding victories, this time with a 41-point win over Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium. Despite kicking the only two goals of the first half, victory was far from assured for the Seagulls at the main break. But it was the third quarter where the visitors took control, kicking five goals to one behind, with the final three of those majors coming in a five-minute span to put the result beyond doubt. Mia Zielinski took her season tally to nine goals with another two-goal effort alongside Ellen Williams, whilst Naomi Ferres backed up her excellent performance last week with another great showing, amassing 27 touches and nine rebounds 50s. Port Melbourne’s best included Mia Caffry (21 disposals, nine tackles) and Eloise Ashley-Cooper (16 disposals, 12 tackles).

BEST
Port Melbourne: Georgia Foran, Keely Fullerton, Mia Caffry, Maggie McKellar, Lauren Caruso, Alexandra McBride-Loane
Williamstown: Naomi Ferres, Mia Zielinski, Zara Guss, Georgia Howes, Megan Williamson, Emily Eaves
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