Collingwood 7.4.46 def Southern Saints 3.6.24

Collingwood remains undefeated following its 22-point win over the Southern Saints. The Magpies’ win came off the back of a four-goal second quarter. In fact, the Saints were held goalless for three quarters by the Pies until they kicked three goals in the last quarter when the result was a foregone conclusion.

For Collingwood, AFLW-listed player Amelia Velardo played a key role off half-back, while Maddie Shevlin showed impressive speed and ball use in her return from a broken wrist before being rested in the final quarter  

Kristy Stratton battled in the midfield all day for Collingwood, where she collected 13 disposals and laid five tackles, while Bella Smith, captain Caitlin Bunker and Olivia Meagher won plenty of the footy. 

For the Saints Alice Burke won 15 touches in the midfield and was well supported by Tara Bohanna in the ruck and Deanna Joliffe, who finished with 22 touches. In a tough day for the Saints, AFLW signing Rebecca Ott went down with a leg injury in the second quarter and didn’t return. 

Geelong 7.10.52 def Williamstown 2.0.12

Geelong returned to the winner’s list with a convincing 40-point win over Williamstown at home at Deakin University. The margin was just six points at the first break, but the Cats were able to break away with five unanswered goals to run away with their first win of the season.

Steph Williams and Maddie Boyd were back in the VFLW line up after being left out of Geelong’s AFLW team. Williams booted two goals while Boyd found some good touch after taking on ruck duties after an injury to regular ruck Olivia Fuller early in the game. Georgia Clarke also impressed for Geelong kicking a goal and winning the votes with her game high 20 disposals. 

Williamstown captain Erin Meade fought hard for her side with 22 disposals and seven tackles, while Chloe Leighton was named best for the Seagulls.

Casey 3.4.22 def by Essendon 4.7.31

An incredible 17-tackle, 25-disposal performance by Georgia Nanscawen set up Essendon’s nine-point away win over Casey, the Bombers’ first of the season. Casey sliced the lead back to three points in the final term, but Mia Rae Clifford marked inside 50 and coolly slotted the set shot to ice the game for the Bombers. 

Nascawen, a 2019 VFLW Team of the Year member, was well supported by veterans Clifford and Cecilia Macintosh, with the latter laying seven tackles of her own.

Melbourne AFLW-listed player Maggie Caris pushed for her AFLW debut with 31 hit outs for Casey, while Mietta Kendall played well off half-back, notching up 19 disposals. Imogen Milford, Eliza West and Megan Fitzsimmons kept Casey in touch each with goals across the last three quarters.

North Melbourne 5.7.37 def Western Bulldogs 2.4.16

It was a historic day for North Melbourne, with the Kangaroos too good for the Western Bulldogs in notching their first VFLW win. The 21-point victory was helped along by a three-goal performance from AFLW listed Roo Alice O’Laughlin, and a tough performance by Beth Lynch, who finished with 18 disposals.

Molly Eastman continued her strong run of form finishing with a game high 25 disposals, while former AFLW listed player Alexia Hamilton was in the best for North after playing in the ruck and forward line. 

Bulldogs captain Riley Christgoergl was named in the best for the second week in a row after her 11-disposal performance. Britney Gutknecht also followed up a strong round-one performance with 24 disposals in a push to return to the Western Bulldogs’ AFLW line-up. Nell Morris-Dalton made the most of her opportunities and was a strong target up forward, finishing the day with 15 disposals, six marks and a goal.

Darebin 3.8.26 def by Hawthorn 7.7.49

Bec Goddard claimed her first win as coach of Hawthorn with a 23-point over Darebin at Latrobe Unversity. After losing captain Jess Trend to an ACL last week, the Hawks stood up and took control of the game after an even first quarter. 

The Hawks were able to kick away in the second term to regain the lead and the Falcons were never able to get back into the contest. Darebin’s defensive pressure kept the Hawks to only one goal in the final quarter, but they could not claw back the 16-point three-quarter time deficit. 

Hawks veteran Meg Hutchins had a strong display with 28 disposals and eight tackles, while forward Jessie Williams finished with 19 disposals, five marks and three goals.

Stephanie Simpson was the leading ball-winner for the Falcons with 18 disposals and was well supported by Sabine Cubasch, who ended the day with 14 touches. 

Carlton 2.3.15 def by Port Melbourne 9.5.59

Port Melbourne continued the winning start to its inaugural VFLW season with a dominant 44-point victory over Carlton. The Blues hung on in the first quarter to only be down by five points at the first break, however, a five-goals-to-nil burst was enough to see Port home.

Richmond AFLW-listed players Laura McClelland, Emily Harley (two goals) and Luka Lesosky-Hays (one goal) led Port Melbourne on its undefeated run. GWS train-on player Pip Peshke was also prominent, gathering 21 disposals to be in the best for Port following her recent return from achilles and ACL injuries.

Carlton hard nut Jess Edwards pushed hard in the midfield with 14 disposals and five marks, alongside Charlotte Hamman’s 10 disposals. Blues captain Ally Bild collected 15 disposals, six marks and laid six tackles, while Jennifer Lew starred at half-back with 24 disposals and eight marks.