Essendon 10.12.72 defeated Carlton 3.1.19

Essendon returned to the winners list with an emphatic 53-point win over Carlton at Windy Hill. Grace Egan kicked the first goal of the day for the Blues but after that it was all Essendon, with the Bombers kicking the next six. Essendon dominated the stoppages and territory battle and applied plenty of pressure to restrict Carlton to just three goals.

Georgia Nanscawen returned from a calf injury and picked up where she left off with her 24 disposals, nine tackles and some impressive bursts from the centre stoppages. Natalie McDonald was influential all over the ground with 16 touches and goal. Federica Frew was damaging inside forward 50 with three goals and a few assists to set up her teammates.

Abbie McKay and Grace Egan returned for the Blues and were the team’s best with 26 and 19 disposals respectively. McKay also had 10 tackles, while Egan kicked the first goal. Jessie Coletti was strong in defence and prospective father/daughter pick Olivia Madden was good all around the ground.

Darebin 5.4.24 defeated by Port Melbourne 8.10.58

Darebin gave Port Melbourne an almighty scare at Bill Lawry Oval on Saturday, with the Falcons leading at half-time and staying with the Borough for three quarters. However, a goalless last quarter saw the opportunity slip, as Port kicked two majors and secured the win. The victory puts Port back on the winners list and keeps it in second place, while Darebin remains on the bottom of the VFLW ladder.

Courtney Bromage had a personal best 20 disposals to go with her characteristic tackling pressure. Sophie Molan was also in the Borough’s best with her 20 touches and a goal, well supported by Borough debutant Katherine Smith, with 17 disposals and five tackles. Sabrina Frederick was again influential as was goalkicker Sophie Locke.

Alice Caddy’s three goals for the Falcons had Port Melbourne on the ropes early, with Victoria Blackwood performing well through the middle with her 20 disposals and four tackles. Veterans Annalyse Lister and Jess Dal Pos did their best to keep Darebin in the game.

Geelong 15.9.99 defeated Western Bulldogs 2.2.14

Geelong has sent a warning to the rest of the competition with a record win over the Western Bulldogs. The Cats passed the previous high score for the season, set by the Dogs three weeks ago, piling on 15 goals to run out 85-point winners. It was clinical from the Cats who kept the Dogs goalless in the first half while kicking nine of their own. From there the Bulldogs only managed two goals as Geelong was able to kick another six on the way to the record score.

The Cats had plenty of contributors in the win, with Richelle Cranston and Georgia Clarke leading the goalkickers with three each. Laura Gardiner again led all disposal getters with her 27, with Madeline Keryk, Amy McDonald, Darcy Moloney, Annabel Johnson and Paige Sheppard also reaching the 20s. Tamara Smith and Steph Williams were also damaging inside 50, kicking two goals apiece.

Angelica Gogos and Danielle Marshall battled for the Dogs, both finishing with 22 touches. Nell Morris-Dalton and Chloe Sargent hit the scoreboard and Eliza Vale had her best game in the red, white and blue.

North Melbourne 4.2.26 defeated by Casey Demons 10.8.68

Casey Demons made it three wins in a row with an emphatic victory over North Melbourne. The Demons kicked the exact same score they did in round eight when they handed Port Melbourne its first loss of the season and, just as they restricted Port, they also kept the Roos to four goals. Casey kicked the first three goals of the game and never gave up the lead on the way to its sixth win of the season.

Alyssa Bannan had multiple goals for the second week in a row for the Demons, and Gabby Colvin kicked two of her own in her first VFLW appearance of the season. Imogen Milford went to the top of the league’s goalkicking, with two goals extending her tally to 15. The Demons midfield was again dominant with Maddi Gay, Eden Zanker, Eliza West and Shree Fairchild the difference.

The familiar trio of Meagan Kiely, Molly Eastman and Sarah Skinner continued their consistent seasons leading the Roos’ disposal getters. Meg Sinclair kicked three of North’s four goals with Beth Lynch adding the other.

Williamstown 0.2.2 defeated by Collingwood 11.3.69

A dominant four-goal display from young Collingwood forward Abbi Moloney kept Collingwood’s unbeaten run alive. The Pies came up against their 2019 premiership coach Penny Cula-Reid for the first time and were able to keep her Seagulls goalless in the team’s first outing at Downer Oval in 2021. Aliesha Newman kicked the first goal of the game in the first minute and it was all Collingwood from there.

Sophie Alexander and Matilda Zander kicked three goals each for the Pies in a dominant display inside forward 50. Abbi Moloney also led the Pies in disposals with 16 and captain Caitlin Bunker was instrumental with 15 touches and 12 tackles. Maddie Shevlin also had a hand in the big win.

Aimee Whelan and Megan Williamson battled for the Seagulls in tough conditions, as did Ella Baxter, Ash Melnikas and Sasha Long in the loss.

Southern Saints 6.8.44 defeated Hawthorn 4.8.32

The Southern Saints broke a two-game losing streak with a 12-point win over Hawthorn at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Oval in the only Sunday game. The Saints kicked the first three goals of the game, with Hawthorn able to reel back the deficit to just three points at the main break. Another tight quarter in the third left it for either team’s taking, but inaccuracy in front of goal from the Hawks kept the door ajar. The win makes the Saints’ position inside the top six that little more secure as they are now a game clear of seventh-placed North Melbourne.

Claudia Whitfort returned to the St Kilda line-up for her first game since Round 4 and had an instant impact with 19 disposals, five tackles and goal. Tara Bohana continues to be a damaging force up forward, kicking two goals, while Hannah Priest and Lucy Burke were also instrumental.

Meg Hutchins and Alison Drennan found plenty of the footy for Hawthorn through the middle. Emily Gilder had another influential game, kicking two goals from her 11 disposals, while Kristy Stratton and Nicole Garner also played a role for the side in a tough loss.