COLLINGWOOD’S hopes of back-to-back premierships is well within reach following its semi-final win over Essendon at Victoria Park.

The Pies and the Bombers played out a tight and low-scoring contest with just three goals kicked between the two teams. Collingwood held a slender lead throughout, with the Bombers unable to claw back the deficit, falling short by just seven points.

Goals to Mikala Cann and Imogen Barnett were the difference for the Pies with Cann also leading the disposals with 21. Chloe Molloy, Ebony O’Dea and Olivia Meagher were the other biggest contributors for Collingwood in the win.

Essendon captain Georgia Nascawen again led the Bombers with 28 disposals and 13 tackles. Lauren Ahrens was another key performer alongside high draft prospect Georgia Prespakis playing her best game in the black and red.

Up the highway at GMHBA Stadium, Geelong and the Southern Saints played out a thriller that will see the Cats head to the preliminary final to face Essendon.

Georgia Clarke’s four goals were the difference for the Cats, her two in the last quarter especially crucial in a term that saw Geelong’s lead see-saw between one and  seven points. The Saints led by as much as 12 points early in the contest, but a goalless third term put Geelong in front and the Saints on the back foot, ultimately unable to reel in the deficit.

Rebecca Webster was impressive with 21 disposals, eight tackles and a crucial goal, as was Paige Sheppard and Annabel Johnson in helping keep the Cats’ season alive.

For the Saints, Alice Burke did a mountain of work in defence, finishing with 22 disposals, while Hannah Stuart and Tyanna Smith were crucial at the contest.

Unfortunately for the Saints, their season ends with the loss. The Cats now go into the preliminary final to face the Bombers, with the winner heading to the Grand Final to take on Collingwood at ETU Stadium on July 25th.

VFLW Preliminary Final

Saturday 17th July

Geelong v Essendon: Windy Hill, 12pm Windy Hill