Essendon 3.7.25 defeated by North Melbourne 4.5.29

North Melbourne kept its finals hopes alive with a come-from-behind win over Essendon. The Bombers led at every change but were held goaless in the final term by the Roos who hit the front courtesy of Meg Sinclair. Essendon had 10 more inside 50s than its opponents yet couldn’t capitalise on its opportunities in front of goal. North now sits on five wins alongside the Southern Saints and Carlton just outside the six, while the Bombers remain in finals contention in fifth.

Alexia Hamilton had a day out for North Melbourne dominating in the ruck with 32 hit outs, 24 disposals and six tackles. Tassie talent was on full display for the Roos with Brooke Brown in the best with seven marks and midfielders Meagan Kiely and Mia King also instrumental. Fellow Tasmanian Sinclair kicked two goals including the crucial fourth quarter major that put North in front.

Alana Barba booted two goals for the Bombers but couldn’t quite get her side over the line. Georgia Nanscawen and Eloise Ashley-Cooper applied plenty of pressure around the contest and Lauren Ahrens was good in her return. Georgie Prespakis and Emilia Yassir also turned out after starring in the NAB League Girls competition, looking at home at the level.

Casey Demons 5.5.35 defeated by Port Melbourne 8.1.49 

Port Melbourne got its revenge on a Casey Demons side that defeated it just four weeks ago. Like that match up in round eight, only a handful of points separated the sides at half-time. It was the Borough this time that shot out of the blocks in the third quarter, kicking four goals to one and adding an extra against the wind to ice the game. Port Melbourne held onto third spot with the win, keeping the Demons at bay in fourth.

GWS Giant Katherine Smith had a best on ground display for Port kicking two goals, leading the disposals with 18 and laying 10 tackles. Kodi Jacques was not far behind with 17 touches, a goal and 12 tackles and was supported by Claire Dyett through the middle. Emily Harley had two goals to her name, with Olivia Barton and Maddy Brancatisano also hitting the scoreboard.

Eliza McNamara led the disposals for the second week in a row for the Demons, finishing with 23. Libby Birch and Eliza West were also among the best in the loss with 18 disposals apiece. Dees spearhead Imogen Milford kicked two goals to go equal first on the VFLW goalkicking leaderboard. 

Carlton 4.7.31 defeated Geelong 3.4.22

The Blues have kept the door ajar for a finals appearance with an upset win over the Cats at Ikon Park. Geelong was on a seven-game win streak before Carlton was able to break it with high-pressure football. The Cats led at the first change but after that Carlton broke away with two goals, never relinquishing the lead. Geelong threatened to take it back but just couldn’t get over the line.

Abbie McKay and Grace Egan combined to find plenty of the footy again, as did Bry Gurr and Lucy McEvoy. McEvoy also had a crucial goal to ice the game for the Blues late in the piece, Steph Lawrence, Courtney Jones and Eliza Wood were all threatening inside 50.

Veteran Renee Garing had an impressive 15 tackles and led the disposals for the Cats. Laura Gardiner and Annabel Johnson were also crucial with their work in the midfield. To make the loss even worse, Geelong will be sweating on scans for Olivia Barber who went down with what looked like a knee injury early in the game.

Darebin 3.3.21 defeated by Collingwood 11.6.72 

Collingwood shored up the 2021 minor premiership and remains undefeated after a 52-point win over Darebin. The Pies got off to the perfect start with four goals in the first quarter, and went on to kick another seven across the next three quarters. Darebin is still without a win since defeating North in round six this season, but did improve as the game went on.

The Pies had four multiple goalkickers, with Mikala Cann and Joanna Lin bagging three goals each. Imogen Barnett’s two majors puts her equal with the Demons’ Imogen Milford on the VFLW goalkicking leaderboard. Jaimee Lambert and Jennifer Guy were important through the middle, with Lambert leading the possessions with 26.

Steph Simpson was again one of the Falcons’ best with two goals from 12 disposals. Jess Dal Pos and Nicole Callinan led the midfield with 14 disposals each and Alyssa Mifsud led the tackle count with nine.

FINALS ON THE RADAR Check out the VFLW ladder after round 12

Williamstown 2.9.21 defeated by Hawthorn 6.7.43

Hawthorn notched its fourth win of the season with a 22-point victory over Williamstown. The Hawks led at every break and never relinquished the lead. The Seagulls did kick their highest score since round six when they faced off with the Southern Saints, but inaccuracy in front of goal continues to be a problem. The Hawks now find themselves tenth on the ladder above Williamstown and Darebin.

Chantella Perera was in the Hawks’ best in her second game of the VFLW season, showing off her experience in the backline. Northern Territory Under 19 representative Ashanti Bush was a livewire inside 50, finishing with two goals. Georgia Bevan and Alison Drennan were also commended for their efforts in the win.

Lisa Steane and Libby Graham were among the Seagulls’ best in the loss, as was Sydney Swans Academy product Jess Doyle. Eliza Straford and Erin Todd kicked the Seagulls’ only two goals of the game.

Southern Saints 3.9.27 defeated by Western Bulldogs 5.3.33

The Western Bulldogs jumped into sixth spot with a stirring win over the Southern Saints. It was an even contest up until half-time with the Saints leading by two points at the main break. The Bulldogs kicked three goals to one to close out the game, but the Saints weren’t without their chances, registering more scoring shots and inside 50s than their opponents. The Saints are now one of three teams currently outside the top six that could still make the finals after the loss.

Isabelle Pritchard had her best output of the VFLW season to get the Bulldogs the win. Pritchard finished with 25 disposals and six tackles and was well supported by Jess Fitzgerald and Annabel Scott through the middle. Caitlin Sargent and Elisabeth Georgostathis kicked crucial goals for the Dogs.

The Saints had some key ins for the match, with AFLW young guns Tynna Smith and Georgia Patrikios appearing for the first time. Hannah Stuart and Jayde Van Dyke led the midfield with 25 and 22 disposals respectively, while Gabby De Angelis also hit the scoreboard.