Lucy Cronin in action during the 2024 rebel VFLW Round 6 match between Collingwood and Essendon at Victoria Park. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos

Collingwood fielded a completely new-look team following last year’s Grand Final defeat, with 63 players pulling on the black and white stripes across the 2024 rebel VFLW season.

BY THE NUMBERS

Position: 7th
W-L-D %: 6-8 (90.93%)
Players used: 63
Played every match: 2 – Hannah Dyson, Sarah Ingram
AFLW players used: 19 (49 matches)
Debutants: 24 – Muireann Atkinson, Jacinta Baxter, Marlo Cockerill, Lucy Cronin, Alessia Dunn, Maya Ellin, Maggie Mahony, Melissa Maizels, Mikalee Maroney, Sophie McIntosh, Erin McKinnon, Michaela Molenberg, Grace Osborne, Lilly Pearce, Sarah Poustie, Amber Schutte, Danielle Sgarbi, Lucinda Smith, Olivia Smith, Emma Stark, Kristen Tyquin, Abbey Vicino, Frances Walsh, Tarni White

STAR PERFORMERS

Best and Fairest: 1st: Katie Day, 2nd: Carly Remmos, 3rd: Jaide Anthony, 4th: Sarah Ingram, 5th: Jordan Ivey
Lambert-Pearce Medal votes: Carly Remmos (6), Akayla Peterson (5), Kaitlyn Day (4)
Coaches MVP votes:
Sarah Ingram (29), Kaitlyn Day (27), Akayla Peterson (24), Carly Remmos (24)
Leading Goalkickers: Kaitlyn Day (6), Jordan Ivey (4), Sachi DeGiacomi (4), Sarah Sansonetti (4)

STAT LEADERS

(Averages – Minimum 6 matches)

Disposals: Carly Remmos 19.6, Sarah Ingram 17.8, Kaitlyn Day 14.6
Contested possessions: Carly Remmos 10.4, Sarah Ingram 10.1, Kaitlyn Day 8.2
Kicks: Carly Remmos 12.9, Kaitlyn Day 12.8, Kasey Lennox 11.1
Handballs: Sarah Ingram 7.4, Carly Remmos 6.7, Marnie Jarvis 5.4
Marks: Carly Remmos 3.4, Kasey Lennox 3.2, Akayla Peterson 3.1
Tackles: Maya Ellin 9.7, Carly Remmos 6.4, Sarah Ingram 5.0
Hitouts: Lilly Pearce 33.0, Megan Ryan 3.9, Michaela Molenberg 1.1
Clearances: Kaitlyn Day 4.6, Carly Remmos 4.4, Sarah Ingram 4.0
Inside-50s: Carly Remmos 3.3, Sarah Ingram 2.8, Kaitlyn Day 2.5
Rebound-50s: Kasey Lennox 4.8, Lucy Cronin 4.0, Marnie Jarvis 2.1

What went right: Getting a team on the park and staying competitive was a fair effort given their entire 2023 Grand Final team departed in the off-season. The Magpies were the only club to field a near full strength team against Sydney or the GWS Giants in their guest stint between Rounds 3 to 7 and were rewarded with a monumental victory over the Swans that very nearly carried them to the finals. Another impressive achievement was holding two teams goalless, while the form of Lilly Pearce and Carly Remmos earned them AFLW list spots.

What went wrong: Losing an entire squad and having to start from scratch meant they were never likely to be a contender this year, and losing their first three matches, including a goalless game against Box Hill, was something they couldn’t eventually overcome.

Summary: Finishing seventh after their summer is a result the Magpies should consider a success. Especially given they became something of a transit lounge with 63 players, including 24 debutants, pulling on the famous black and white stripes in just 14 matches. The highlight was undoubtedly the win over Sydney, although they will also fondly recall taking the scalp of arch-rival Carlton.

Grade: 5/10

2024 REBEL VFL REVIEWS

Casey Demons
Carlton
Darebin Falcons
Southern Saints
Geelong Cats

GWS Giants
Sydney Swans