State of Play hosts Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani preview the big topics ahead of this weekend's VFL and VFLW action.
Frankston by the skin of its teeth
The Dolphins progressed through to the Wildcard finals by the skin of their teeth - 0.4 per cent to be exact - following a disappointing loss to Williamstown in the final home and away round. But, what's done is done, and now it's time to look forward. It is the third consecutive season in which Frankston has reached the post season, and it is hopeful that important midfielder Trent Mynott will make his return from injury in the do-or-die clash. Heading on the road for Saturday's game might be exactly what the Dolphins need to kickstart their positive form once more. And who could ever forget what they produced in their first Wildcard appearance back in 2024 when they stunned the Gold Coast Suns at People First Stadium?
Collingwood and North Melbourne Werribee lock horns again
The two VFLW front-runners for most of the year have had the gauntlet thrown down at them by a rampaging Williamstown side. This weekend, what was initially thought to be another Grand Final preview is now the battle for second seeding behind the Seagulls. There has been so much change to both line ups, as the Roos are now without 2025 Team of the Year captain Maddie Di Cosmo due to a season-ending knee injury, and Collingwood has lost the 2025 Big V captain Dom Carbone to AFLW duties. Nyakoat Dojoik sits third on the goal kicking tally, while Amelia Peck is second. If their respective midfields can get the ball in quick to those two, a shootout at Arden Street is on the cards.
Perennial finalist Williamstown is back again
The emotion of Justin Plapp’s final home and away game in charge saw Williamstown storm over the top of Frankston to extend Plapp’s tenure by at least one more week. Carlton’s pendulum swinging home and away season concluded with a Round 21 victory away to Footscray to push inside the top 10 and now the sides will face off at DSV Stadium with a place in an elimination final up for grabs. Williamstown is a Wildcard regular, having beaten Collingwood and Richmond across the past two years. The Seagulls also remains the only side to win on this particular weekend and win again the following week, which they did in 2024. Earlier this season the two sides played out an enthralling five-point finish, while recent form has Williamstown on the right side of victory. In fact, footy fans have to go back to 2000 when Carlton last beat the Seagulls at DSV Stadium.
Carlton can lock the door on the top six
Carlton is showing the rest of the VFLW that it’s not just here to make up the numbers in the finals. Six wins in a row and the Blues are showing no signs of stopping ahead of an enticing off against Geelong this weekend. The Cats themselves, having won three games in a row, and are focused on keeping their slim finals hopes alive. Hannah Scott is in scintillating form at the Blues, leading from the front, and if she can push Carlton to a seventh successive win it all but guarantees fourth spot on the ladder and ends the Geelong dream of an unlikely finals campaign.
Corey Ellison wins the Frosty Miller Medal
Frankston’s Corey Ellison has won the 2026 Frosty Miller Medal as the competition's leading goal kicker, completing the home and away season with 52 goals next to his name. He ultimately finished two ahead of Collingwood’s Mitch Podhajski and Coburg’s Jaidyn Stephenson. Initially drafted into the VFL by the Casey Demons as a defender, Ellison moved to Williamstown and was trialled as a forward. Since crossing to the Dolphins he was continued to develop into one of the most reliable goal kickers in state league football. Such has been the turnaround, Ellison’s first 46 games in the VFL saw him kick 38 goals. He has since played a further 59 games and slotted 146 majors. He holds the key to Frankston’s fortunes on the eve of the 2026 VFL finals series.
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