Port Melbourne has suffered a series of injury blows ahead of its standalone rebel VFLW showdown against Box Hill Hawks at ETU Stadium on Friday night.

The VFLW takes centre stage at the State league level under Friday night lights for the first time, the Borough being forced to rule out six players from last week’s win over Western Bulldogs, including star recruits Eliza Morrison, Chanelle Slater and Jemima Woods and the experienced Lisa Davie.

But it isn’t all bad news, with Rohenna Young medallist Federica Frew returning to Port’s team alongside fellow key player Beth Wilson, while Caulfield Grammarians and Sandringham Dragons recruit Tilly Mottram will make her debut.

The Hawks have gone for plenty of experience, with Nic Garner, Kristy Stratton, Louise Stephenson, Jess Trend and Sophie Locke among seven inclusions that also includes a debutant in defender Laura Elliott, who was drafted to Hawthorn at pick 26 from Point Cook Centrals and the Western Jets.

Three AFLW Hawks – Charlotte Baskaran, Janet Baird and Catherine Brown – have been rested, while Nadia von Bertouch and Akayla Peterson are injured.

Essendon broke through for the first win of its rebel VFLW premiership defence last week and has rolled out the cavalry as it aims for two in a row against the in-form Collingwood at Victoria Park on Saturday.

The Bombers have recalled premiership players Eloise Ashley-Cooper and Bella Clarke to take on the Magpies, with AFLW recruits Georgia Clarke and Steph Wales to play their first games for the club, VFLW signing Maddi Wilson in for her second and Bendigo Pioneers young star Lila Keck to make her debut at just 17.

Last week’s best-on-ground Paige Scott is the biggest omission, going down with concussion late in the game.

The Magpies have recalled Tricia Cowan, Liv Storer and Joanna Lin among five changes, with captain Caitlin Bunker, Alana Porter and Selena Karlson among those out.

Casey Demons have a Melbourne AFLW recruit making her VFLW debut against Southern Saints, with Gold Coast Suns inclusion Shannon Danckert to play for the first time, while Dandenong Stingrays ruck Bianca Lyne will have her first game and Brooke Smith her second after being reinstated to the list this week.

The Saints have two Coates Talent League debutants in Caitlin Matthews and Abbey Tregellis, but ruck Sarah Black and Kim Ebb are among a group of significant omissions.

Darebin has brought back two of its best and most experienced players for its game against North Melbourne, with Victoria Blackwood and Steph Simpson into the team, while the Kangaroos have lost Dalia Edward and Ash Melnikas.

Carlton has four players pulling on the CFC monogram for the first time, led by AFLW draftee Marianna Anthony, who starred in two VFLW games for the Kangaroos to earn her selection, plus youngster, Keeley Skepper, Keeley Sherar and Sydneysider Maddy Hendrie.

The Blues’ opponent, Williamstown, will be without Bridie Kennedy for the game, with Scarlett Dunell and Megan Williamson among the inclusions.

And Geelong has recalled key players Liv Fuller, Georgia Rankin, Sarah Perrott and Breanna Beckley for its danger game against Western Bulldogs, who will have a debutant of their own – a Geelong local in the form of Emmalyn Nekrep.

All matches in the 2023 Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website and AFL Live Official App.

Casey Radio will also broadcast Port Melbourne vs Box Hill Hawks.

PORT MELBOURNE vs BOX HILL HAWKS

Friday April 21, 7:00pm, ETU Stadium
Head-to-head: Box Hill Hawks 2-0. At ETU Stadium: Box Hill Hawks 1-0. Streak: Box Hill Hawks 2

PORT MELBOURNE
B: M. Shaw (11), O. Barton (1)
HB: L. Caruso (5), M. Denahy Maloney (35), M. McKellar (14)
C: C. Dyett (15), C. Bromage (4), I. Stutt (29)
HF: L. Wright (19), F. Frew (28), S. Reid (48)
F: S. Williams (44), A. Peck (60)
R: K. Dudley (2), J. Williams (26), K. O'Keefe (18)
INT: B. Wilson (16), A. Campbell (20), J. Livingstone (3), M. Mottram (24), T. Watson (23)
EMG: L. Hart (31), E. Robins (22), J. Farrugia (22), T. Farrell (37), B. Mueck (31)

IN: A. Campbell, F. Frew, T. Mottram, A. Peck, T. Watson, B. Wilson
OUT: K. Byrne, L. Davie, I. Hartog, E. Morrison, C. Slater, J. Woods (all injured)
NEW: Tilly Mottram, 19, Caulfield Grammarians/Sandringham Dragons

BOX HILL HAWKS
B: C. Perera (55), L. Stephenson (12)
HB: M. Van Berkel (86), L. Elliott (20), E. Everist (25)
C: C. Hammans (75), B. Hipwell (19), N. Garner (64)
HF: K. Stratton (50), E. Woods (52), T. Smith (24)
F: G. McRae (88), A. Tessari (80)
R: G. Matser (60), J. Mifsud (54), S.Locke (21)
INT: E. Mclinden (57), J. Trend (63), A. Muir (59), M. Trusler (81), M. Kendall (66)
EMG: C. Thorne (78), H. Fosbrooke (83), D. Ryan (93)

IN: L. Elliott, N. Garner, S. Locke, A. Muir, L. Stephenson, K. Stratton, J. Trend
OUT: A. Peterson, N. von Bertouch (injured), J. Baird, C. Baskaran, C. Brown (managed), D. Ryan, C. Thorne (omit)
NEW: Laura Elliott, 18, Point Cook Centrals/Western Jets

COLLINGWOOD vs ESSENDON

Saturday April 22, 11:00am, Victoria Park
Head-to-head: Collingwood 4-2. At Victoria Park: 1-1. Streak: Essendon 1

COLLINGWOOD
B: J. Lin (35), R. Busch (67)
HB: O. Storer (73), R. Christgoergl (56), E. Jackson (65)
C: E. James (2), J. Bates (50), M. Jarvis (48)
HF: E. Shepherd (49), E. Morris (21), N. Dojiok (61)
F: M. DeMatteo (44), J. Tweddle O'Donnell (60)
R: R. Caris (68), I. Evans (5), M. Zander (51)
INT: T. Cowan (54), S. King (46), C. Van der Vlies (69), S. Hosking (47), T. Hurst (45)
EMG: A. Kane (57), A. Weston (58), E. Southgate (53)

IN: T. Cowan, I. Evans, T. Hurst, J. Lin, O. Storer
OUT: C. Bunker (concussion), S. Karlson (concussion), A. Whiley (shins), A. Porter (managed), A. Weston

ESSENDON
B: T. Crook (49), B. Clarke (45)
HB: G. Clarke (17), S. Molan (73), E. Ashley-Cooper (74)
C: K. Heil (78), J. Doonan (12), C. Ugle (41)
HF: A. Clarke (33), M. Ryan (76), M. Wilson (66)
F: E. Chaston (61), T. Hart-Aluni (59)
R: S. Wales (30), A. Radford (22), A. Barba (11)
INT: M. Bateman (62), G. Dicker (44), T. Davidge (77), C. Prpic (58), L. Keck (75)
EMG: Z. Hurrell (53), O. Manfre (43), K. Russell (50)

IN: E. Ashley-Cooper, B. Clarke, G. Clarke, L. Keck, S. Wales, M. Wilson
OUT: P. Scott (concussion), A. Van Loon (managed), M. Gray, K. Jacques, K. Russell, R. Sutton (omit)
NEW: Lila Keck, 17, Strathfieldsaye/Bendigo Pioneers; Steph Wales, 19, Casey Demons

GEELONG CATS vs WESTERN BULLDOGS

Saturday April 22, 12:00am, Deakin University
Head-to-head: Geelong 3-2. At Deakin University: Geelong 1-0. Streak: Geelong 3

GEELONG CATS
B: M. Bragg (44), G. Rankin (10)
HB: B. Beckley (28), A. McDonald (39), C. Leonard (37)
C: A. Favell (42), A. McKee (43), E. Ramsay (33)
HF: C. Scheer (14), B. Pratt (36), S. Degiacomi (30)
F: O. Cicolini (53), C. Simpson (51)
R: K. Scoullar (29), S. O'Dea (47), R. Garing (12)
INT: S. Perrott (59), E. Firth (48), M. Walton (64), D. Stewart (27), O. Fuller (13)
EMG: E. Wilson-Macdonald (57), E. Worpel (49), J. McMeel (38), L. Stewart (34)

IN: B. Beckley, O. Fuller, S. Perrott, G. Rankin
OUT: C. de Groot (illness), E. Vella, E. Wilson-Macdonald, E. Worpel

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: J. Paten (43), T. Delgado (69)
HB: F. Taylor (48), C. Pickett (59), A. Ling (29)
C: S. Asciak (26), T. Meier (42), E. Greet (52)
HF: D. Carbone (54), K. McCarthy (49), I. Barker (56)
F: I. Cameron (32), M. Sandral (39)
R: J. Borg (64), D. Carruthers (47), S. Skinner (62)
INT: E. Nekrep (41), K. Tracey (44), K. Henry (46), R. Beuzeville (50), I. Robson (60)
EMG: T. Pulcino (36)

IN: I. Barker, K. Henry, E. Nekrep
OUT: M. McLeod (leg), T. Skenderis (ankle), J. Tabb (unavailable)
NEW: Emmalyn Nekrep, 20, St Joseph’s

CARLTON vs WILLIAMSTOWN

Saturday April 22, 2:00pm, IKON PARK
Head-to-head: Carlton 3-0-1. At IKON Park: Carlton 2-0. Streak: N/A (Last match was a draw)

CARLTON
B: B. Gurr (9), K. Lennox (13)
HB: A. Bild (7), G. Lawson-Tavan (10), L. Beatty (33)
C: B. Vickers (36), T. Ortepp (2), M. Anthony (38)
HF: A. Thorneycroft (27), K. Sherar (32), K. Skepper (30)
F: M. Cowan (26), E. Wood (11)
R: E. Hurley (18), A. Klingbeil (1), M. Di Cosmo (20)
INT: L. Hosking (3), I. Khoury (5), M. Hendrie (14), C. Bain (4), L. Robertson (16)
EMG: R. Watts (35), T. Nicolaou (22), T. Kolevski (28), O. Di Donato (31), G. Tait (29)

IN: M. Anthony, M. Hendrie, L. Robertson, K.Sherar, K. Skepper
OUT: P. Trudgeon (managed), T. Read (injured), L. Robertson, G. Tait, R. Watts
NEW: Marianna Anthony, 25, North Melbourne VFLW; Maddy Hendrie, 18, UNSW-Eastern Suburbs/Swans Academy; Keeley Sherar, 19, Carlton AFLW/Hawthorn VFLW; Keeley Skepper, 19, Shepparton United/Murray Bushrangers/Collingwood VFLW

WILLIAMSTOWN
B: T. Wright (7), Z. Day (34)
HB: S. Bridgewater (12), S. Whiting (25), M. Edwards (17)
C: B. Gray (44), N. Julian (35), P. King (38)
HF: E. Straford (18), L. Stepnell (4), E. Eaves (6)
F: A. Newman (37), J. Kawa (23)
R: T. Moss (42), E. Cleland (5), S. Cameron (43)
INT: S. Dunell (21), D. Pedersen (15), C. Tyrell (39), T. Brett (20), M. Willamson (24)
EMG: D. Di Santo (8), C.Linssen (11), E. Freeman (33), P. Chisholm (32)

IN: S. Dunell, T. Moss, M. Williamson
OUT: B. Kennedy (managed), D. Di Santo, N. Phipps (omit)

DAREBIN FALCONS vs NORTH MELBOURNE

Saturday April 22, 2:30pm, Preston City Oval
Head-to-head: Darebin 2-1. At Preston City Oval: Never Met. Streak: North Melbourne 1

DAREBIN FALCONS
B: A. Gunn (11), P. Kearney (28)
HB: V. Blackwood (44), K. McNiece (5), T. Mills (43)
C: M. Shone (60), A. Gogos (1), V. Smiljanic (58)
HF: P. Louey (3), S. Ruedin (32), E. Mackay (39)
F: Z. Larkins (21), A. Misfud (9)
R: S. Simpson (17), S. Egan (34), M. Plunkett (18)
INT: S. Du Parquet (50), R. Goring (12), J. Phung (4), S. Lynch (24), S. Dickens (29)
EMG: A. White (46), S. Kenna (15), C.Weston-Sirett (52), M. Giannopoulus (54)

IN: V. Blackwood, S. Simpson
OUT: S. Kenna, A. White  

NORTH MELBOURNE
B: K. Delia (20), R. Hicks (12)
HB: M. McDonald (5), M. McSweeney (22), G. Walsh (15)
C: T. Gatt (8), R. Tripodi (34), J. Mourney (2)
HF: A. Rhodes (4), J. Jones (17), G. Nicholas (9)
F: E. Paterno (21), J. Hillas (30)
R: Z. Flanigan (16), A. Scott (23), F. Theodore (1)
INT: C. Fitzgerald (10), T. Bradley (33), E. Macdonald (24), K. Peake (31), M. Klaumanns-Moller (14)
EMG: J. Nursey (26), A. Melnikas (18), D. Edward (3)

IN: T. Gatt, E. Macdonald, K. Peake
OUT: D. Edward, A. Melnikas, M. Purcell

CASEY DEMONS vs SOUTHERN SAINTS

Sunday April 23, 10:30am, Casey Fields
Head-to-head: Southern Saints 4-3. At Casey Fields: Casey Demons 3-1. Streak: Southern Saints 1

CASEY DEMONS
B: B. Woolcock (16), C. Wilson (46)
HB: M. Hogg (45), M. Neal (7), T. Burn (4)
C: D. Smith (3), A. Kinnane (49), A. Kirkwood (6)
HF: N. O'Neill (19), C. Keohane (40), G. Gall (29)
F: I. Makai (1), T. Williams (36)
R: L. Swain (50), S. Fairchild (8), S. Danckhert (25)
INT: K. Carew (17), I. Lehman (11), B. Lyne (30), S. Sheerin (5), B. Smith (43)
EMG: S. Rummel (28), B. Borchard (38), G. Proy (32)

IN: S. Danckert, M. Hogg, B. Lyne, I. Makai, B. Smith
OUT: C. Burke (ribs), A. Bannan, M. Fitzsimon (managed), E. Horne (unavailable), B. Borchard
NEW: Shannon Danckert, 26, Gold Coast AFLW; Bianca Lyne, 18, Beleura/Mornington/Dandenong Stingrays

SOUTHERN SAINTS
B: C. Matthews (44), G. Foran (37)
HB: J. Moore (15), A. Hynes (16), T. Boyd (21)
C: W. Laing (9), N. Cormack (12), C. Ryan (11)
HF: A. Tregellis (42), T. Kearns (23), K. Ripari (24)
F: G. De Angelis (39), L. Burke (28)
R: M. Kershaw (3), M. Podnecky (10), J. Wrigley (18)
INT: E. Stuber (7), B. Enno (26), D. Jolliffe (4), G. Hodder (31), M. Fogas (29)
EMG: M. Bertuna (13), J. Webster (32), O. Robinson (33)

IN: M. Fogas, G. Foran, C. Matthews, E. Stuber, A. Tregellis
OUT: S. Black, K. Ebb, S. Kaukiono, S. Phillips, J. Webster
NEW: Caitlin Matthews, 19, Camberwell/Oakleigh Chargers; Abbey Tregellis, 18, Bonbeach/Mornington/Dandenong Stingrays

UMPIRES

Port Melbourne vs Box Hill Hawks
FIELD: Brock Reid, Jeremy Zhou. BOUNDARY: Jake D’Angelo, Madeleine Lum. GOAL: Ben Geleit, Connor Petrie.

Collingwood vs Essendon
FIELD: Doug Haworth, Jacob Stuckey. BOUNDARY: Tom Kreun, Jesse Wilkie. GOAL: Bridget Saftenberger, Alex Tomada.

Geelong Cats vs Western Bulldogs
FIELD: Ryan Mann, James Meek. BOUNDARY: Lachlan Bezzina, Angus Cameron. GOAL: Lochlin Hamer, Cohen Shannon.

Carlton vs Williamstown
FIELD: Campbell Hymans, Ned Welsh. BOUNDARY: Vo Schofield, Ben Tingiri. GOAL: Brad Hefernan-Benfield, Joe Dorrat-Thorpe.

Darebin Falcons vs North Melbourne
FIELD: Lisa Compton-Robins, Sophia Tozer. BOUNDARY: Michael Court, Ryan Pulley. GOAL: Noah Myers, Harley Trickey.

Casey Demons vs Southern Saints
FIELD: Sophie Gleeson, Austin Tattersall. BOUNDARY: Zhi Xia McNeil, Georgia Priestley. GOAL: Brady Gutbier, Lochlin Hamer.