Williamstown won a thriller to advance to its first VFLW Grand Final, while North Melbourne Werribee advanced to a third-consecutive premiership decider.
NORTH MELBOURNE-WERRIBEE 4.1 7.1 10.3 12.5 (77)
COLLINGWOOD 1.1 1.2 2.2 2.4 (16)
North Melbourne-Werribee are now one win away from a historic three-peat in the VFLW competition, after a comfortable 61-point triumph over Collingwood at Arden Street Oval on Saturday. Having won their last three contests against the Pies by a goal or less, the Roos were quick to put their close battles against their opposition in the rear-view mirror from the onset, booting four opening term majors, including three straight goals to end the first term with an 18-point lead. They would kick the first major of the second term inside three minutes of play courtesy of Nyakoat Dojiok, who by that point was responsible for three of her side’s five majors for the game. The scoring only continued for the reigning premiers, ending the half with a further two majors whilst keeping Collingwood to one behind in the process a 35-point advantage by half time. Some brilliance from Sophia de Castella to commence the third term was about the only highlight for the Pies, as they would concede the last five majors of the match to exit the 2026 season one step short of last year’s achievements. Dojiok as well as Renee Tierney (three contested marks) finished with three majors for the game, meanwhile midfield teammates Alana Barba (23 disposals, four score involvements) and Ava Seton (21 disposals, nine tackles, six clearances) were immense in the contest. Abbey McDonald finished as the away side’s leading disposal getter on the ground with 19 disposals, whilst also having five intercept possessions and four inside 50s. Millie Lang was a standout in defence for the Pies, finishing with eight intercept possessions from her 18 touches.
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WILLIAMSTOWN 0.0 3.0 4.2 6.4 (40)
PORT MELBOURNE 1.5 1.7 2.7 5.8 (38)
Williamstown are through to take part in their first ever VFLW Grand Final after narrowly escaping rivals Port Melbourne by two points at DSV Stadium. The minor premiers were under constant threat from the Borough throughout the opening term, being unable to hit the scoreboard whilst being peppered in their own defensive 50. However, the away side’s hard work was left largely unrewarded despite an 11-point lead, only managing one-goal from six scoring shots. It allowed the hosts to get to work in the second quarter with the wind in their favour, kicking an accurate three majors whilst conceding only two behinds to turn the game on its head and lead by 17 points at half time. That momentum would continue into the initial stages of the third quarter, with a Neve Crowley goal putting the Seagulls ahead by 13 points, however Port Melbourne would turn the tables thanks to Kaitlyn O’Keefe who booted the last major of the third term and start of the fourth quarter to make it a one-point ball game. Williamstown tried to respond with some scoreboard pressure but only managed behinds before a Georgia Foran goal put the visitors in front with 13 minutes to go. However, the Seagulls had one final surge left in them, and it was Emily Eaves and Mia Zielinski who answered the call with goals just moments later to establish an eight-point buffer. O’Keefe would kick a third to keep the game on a knife’s edge for the last five minutes of the game, but it would be the final score produced by either side, helping Williamstown to advance to the decider. Bella Smith was excellent for the home side, finishing with 19 disposals, as was Eaves, who along with her goal produced five clearances. Meanwhile Jazmin Tweddle-O’Donnel’s efforts in defence were arguably match winning, as she finished with 12 intercept possessions from 14 touches. O’Keefe’s three majors from five scoring shots was a season-high whilst Borough teammate Courtney Jones was terrific again with 13 disposals, six tackles and six inside 50s.
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