Collingwood flexed its muscle, Carlton proved its credentials, the Western Bulldogs left it late and Geelong and Essendon scored much-needed wins.

WESTERN BULLDOGS          2.0        2.0        3.3        5.5 (35)
SANDRINGHAM                    2.0        3.1        4.1        5.2 (32)

A last-minute goal helped the Western Bulldogs snatch a thrilling three-point win over Sandringham at Mission Whitten Oval. It was hard to split the two sides for much of the contest, with the Zebras holding narrow leads of seven and four points at half time and three quarter time respectively. At the six-minute mark, the away side would lead by 10 points having only kept the Bulldogs to one major after quarter time at that stage of the match, however there would soon be a surge from the hosts late in the piece. They would reduce the deficit to single digits halfway through the term, before deep into the match, with under 30 seconds remaining, Steph Asciak would find space when there wasn’t any at an inside 50 stoppage and got boot to ball which would find its way between the big sticks and prove to be the game winning goal. She was one of five individual goalkickers for the Western Bulldogs, whilst teammate Lauren Aherns had arguably a best on ground performance in defence with 23 disposals, 12 intercepts and seven rebound 50s. Courtney Aughtie was brilliant in the ruck for Sandringham with 24 hit outs and 18 touches, as was Sophie Hollingsworth who had 18 tackles.

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Lauren Ahrens, India Barker, Scarlett O'Donnell, Mizuki Brothwell, Louise Stephenson, Ellie Bishop
Sandringham: Sunday Hollingsworth, Charlotte Taylor, Zoe Barbakos, Sophie Casey, Kera Galaminda Gellar, Courtney Aughtie
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COLLINGWOOD        1.3        2.4        5.9        7.11 (53)
DAREBIN                   0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0 (0)

Collingwood proved to be too good for Darebin to return to the top of the VFLW ladder, winning by 53 points at Preston City Oval. The Pies started slow with just two goals to half time before kicking 5.7 in the second half to make a statement as they charge towards another finals campaign. Meanwhile Darebin became the first team this season to go through a match without registering a score, and were kept to just 13 inside 50s by a strong Pies defence headlined by Caitlin Matthews, Abbey McDonald and Jemma Ramsdale who combined for 25 intercepts between them. On limited minutes, AFLW forward Sabrina Frederick was influential with 17 disposals, five marks and three goals whilst Abbey Tregellis was excellent with a season-Hugh total of 31 disposals, eight inside 50s and seven intercepts. Caitlin Bunker’s form did not subside despite Darebin’s poor outing, finishing with 28 disposals, eight clearances, six tackles and five rebound 50s.

BEST
Collingwood: Sabrina Frederick, Abbey Tregellis, Abbey McDonald, Tahlia Sanger, Jemma Ramsdale, Lauren Szigeti
Darebin: Not submitted
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CARLTON                    2.4        2.4        5.5        6.6 (42)
WILLIAMSTOWN       1.1        3.5        3.6        4.8 (32)

Carlton claimed their third straight win and jumped into the top four by round’s end after a huge victory against fellow finals contender Williamstown by 10 points at Ikon Park. Having not defeated the Seagulls since the 2023 elimination final, the Blues started Saturday’s contest well, keeping their opponents to just two scoring shots to lead by nine points at quarter time. The away side would produce their most impressive patch in the second term however, kicking two majors and keeping Carlton scoreless to take a seven-point advantage into the main break. But the Blues would respond quickly, with a huge three-goal third term putting them in the box seat at the final change before holding their nerve to ensure their lead didn’t dip into single figures by the full-time siren. Hannah Scott could not have done any more to lead her side to victory in a near flawless display that included a game-high 33 disposals, a game-high 17 tackles, and an equal game-high eight clearances as well as four inside 50s. She was supported well by Lucy Burke who starred in defence with 30 touches, 14 intercept possessions and 10 marks meanwhile Alessia Acquaro booted three majors. The Seagulls were led well by Emily Eaves (16 disposals, 10 tackles, eight clearances).

BEST
Carlton: Hannah Scott, Nell Morris-dalton, Danika Spamer, Lucy Burke, Octavia Di Donato, Matilda Fitzgerald
Williamstown: Not submitted
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CASEY DEMONS       1.1        2.1        2.2        2.3 (15)
GEELONG CATS        1.2        4.3        5.4        7.5 (47)

Geelong ended their three-game losing run with an important 32-point victory over Casey Demons at Casey Fields. The Cats really got going from the second quarter onwards after an even opening term, in which they kept the Demons without a goal for the remainder of the contest, whilst kicking majors themselves in each quarter to register their highest score of the 2026 season and their largest score since Round 10 last year. Faith Qoon was the side’s only multiple goalkicker, with her two majors making it three straight games with at least one goal for the forward. Hayley Peck was hard to stop in the ruck, amassing 36 hit outs and gaining 20 disposals as well as seven intercept possessions and five clearances, meanwhile Jasmin Stewart also impressed for the Cats with 26 touches and four clearances. Tylah Burn put in another terrific display for the home side, having 22 disposals and 10 clearances as well as nine tackles, and Lillian Snow’s great defensive efforts continued with a game-high 10 intercept possessions from 17 disposals.

BEST
Casey Demons: Meg Macdonald, Tylah Burn, Kheely Cornwall, Lillian Snow, Michelle Podnecky, Bianca Lyne
Geelong Cats: Hayley Peck, Renee Morgan, Jasmin Stewart, Lucy Marescuk, Mekah Morrissy, Faith Qoon
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BOX HILL HAWKS      0.0        0.2        0.2        0.5 (5)
ESSENDON                  1.6        3.9        4.12     5.14 (44)

Essendon ended a four-game losing run with what was a dominant 39-point triumph over box Hill Hawks at the Kennedy Community Centre. In one of their more impressive displays this season, the Bombers registered goals in each term and kept the Hawks without a majors throughout the afternoon to claim the win, although their margin of victory could’ve been greater if the away side didn’t finish with just five majors from 19 scoring shots. After leading the way for Essendon over the last few weeks, El Chaston starred again with a performance that included 32 disposals, nine inside 50s and six intercept possessions. Georgia Tyrrell made her VFLW debut and fitted right into the Essendon lineup with 26 disposals eight tackles and a game-high five clearances, whilst the 18-year-old was one of four individual goalkickers for the victors, which included a season-high two goals from Sam Johnston. Both Ella Stoddart and Hannah Stuart finished with 26 disposals for the Hawks, with Stoddart also having seven intercepts, whilst Stasia Stevenson had a game-high eight clearances from 19 disposals.

BEST
Box Hill Hawks: Stasia Stevenson, Hannah Stuart, Emma Stilve, Evelyn Connolly, Ella Stoddart, Caitlin Thorne
Essendon: Georgia Tyrrell, Jemma Reynolds, Lily Bateman, Sophie Molan, El Chaston, Drew Ryan
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