A review of Round 4 in the 2023 rebel VFLW season.
WILLIAMSTOWN vs DAREBIN FALCONS
WILLIAMSTOWN 1.1 2.2 3.9 5.13 (43)
DAREBIN FALCOS 1.0 3.3 3.3 3.3 (21)
WILLIAMSTOWN came from behind to record its first rebel VFLW win for the year with a runaway 22-point victory over Darebin Falcons at DSV Stadium on Saturday.
The Seagulls fell seven points behind at half-time in a tight and entertaining battle between two teams searching for that breakthrough triumph but found another gear in the second half to hold the Falcons scoreless – and in fact should have won by a lot more after spraying 3.11 for the half.
Jasmine Kawa was in everything for Williamstown, leading all comers with 24 disposals, six clearances and eight inside-50s, while Sarah Cameron (14 disposals, two goals), Nicole Julian (19 disposals), Bridie Kennedy (18 disposals), also played well, Perri King, Brittney Gray and Maddie Edwards stuck nine tackles each and Eliza Straford also bagged two majors.
Angelica Gogos (15 disposals, eight tackles, five clearances), Bec Goring (14 disposals, six tackles), Emma Mackay (16 disposals) and Mikayla Plunkett battled hard for Darebin and Alyssa Mifsud kicked two goals.
PORT MELBOURNE vs WESTERN BULLDOGS
PORT MELBOURNE 3.1 3.3 5.4 5.6 (36)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.2 2.4 3.7 4.9 (33)
WESTERN BULLDOGS’ drought-smashing victory last week has been sandwiched between two heart-breaking defeats as Port Melbourne held on gamely for a vital three-point victory at ETU Stadium on Saturday.
The Borough seemed to have the game in control from the time they kicked two late goals to lead by 11 points at quarter-time and Stella Reid’s second major in the eighth minute of the third put them 18 in the clear.
But they managed just three more behinds for the rest of the game as the Bulldogs scrapped their way back into it, getting with two points with 5:40 on the clock only to be unable to land the killer blow.
In a low-disposal game, Stella Reid was crucial for Port Melbourne with 16 disposals and two goals, while Lauren Caruso (17 disposals, nine tackles) was on the bottom of every pack, Kaitlyn O’Keefe (16 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances) got her hands dirty and Steph Williams booted two goals from three kicks to take her opportunities.
Bulldog Dom Carbone led all comers in a top effort with 20 touches, five tackles and five clearances, with Tahlia Meyer (19 disposals, six tackles, five clearances), Sarah Skinner (17 disposals, seven clearances), Dom Carruthers (17 disposals, eight tackles) and Jaimi Tabb (10 tackles) also strong, while Imahra Cameron booted two goals from four kicks.
NORTH MELBOURNE vs CARLTON
NORTH MELBOURNE 1.1 1.1 2.2 2.4 (16)
CARLTON 1.2 2.6 4.9 7.9 (51)
CARLTON climbed to the top of the ladder in style, running away from North Melbourne by 35 points at Arden Street Oval on Saturday.
The Kangaroos tried desperately to stick with the Blues, with both their goals being quick replies to Carlton majors, but they couldn’t hold them all day and the visitors finally broke the dam wall with three strikes in the last term.
Millie Klingbeil dominated for the Blues with 26 possessions, seven clearances and six inside-50s, and she found able assistance from Maddie Di Cosmo (22 disposals, seven tackles), second-gamer Taylor Ortlepp (22 disposals), Ashlee Thorneycroft (16 disposals, nine tackles) and Chloe Bain (11 tackles), while Eliza Wood, Brooke Vickers and Mia Cowan all snagged two goals.
Audrey Rhodes was a standout for North Melbourne with 19 disposals, Ciara Fitzgerald (15 disposals, five tackles, seven rebounds) was tireless in defence and Annabel Scott (14 disposals, five tackles, five clearances) also made her presence felt.
SOUTHERN SAINTS vs GEELONG CATS
SOUTHERN SAINTS 0.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 (7)
GEELONG 1.2 1.4 1.4 2.5 (17)
GEELONG conceded just two scoring shots for the second week in a row and moved to second spot after outslogging Southern Saints by 10 points at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday.
With the sides going to battle in soggy conditions, the match went without a score to either team from Lucy Burke’s goal for the Saints at 8:21 in the second quarter until Cheryl De Groot kicked the sealer for the Cats 11:36 into the last.
In fact, Burke’s goal was the Saints’ last score of the match, while the only other major went to Geelong’s Analea McKee four minutes into the contest.
Charlotte Simpson showed herself to be a wet weather specialist as far and away the best player on the ground with 31 disposals, seven tackles, 12 clearances and five inside-50s for Geelong.
Renee Garing laid a crazy 18 tackles on her way to 19 disposals and five clearances and Chloe Scheer (20 disposals, five entries), Sachi DeGiacomi (17 disposals, five clearances), De Groot (14 disposals, nine tackles, one goal) and Sophie O’Dea (nine tackles) also important.
Jemima Wrigley was the standout for the Saints with 20 disposals, 13 tackles and eight clearances, just ahead of Winnie Laing (19 disposals, eight tackles), Deanna Jolliffe (18 disposals, eight tackles) and Gabriella De Angelis (19 disposals).
Cats Kalani Scoullar (26 hitouts) and McKee (18 hitouts, one goal) had a great battle in the ruck with Saints Margaret Kershaw (23 hitouts) and Sarah Black (19 hitouts).
ESSENDON vs CASEY DEMONS
ESSENDON 2.6 3.9 4.12 4.13 (37)
CASEY DEMONS 0.0 3.2 3.4 5.5 (35)
ESSENDON finally got its premiership defence underway by holding on for a heart-stopping two-point win over Casey Demons at the NEC Hangar on Sunday.
The Bombers looked the better team all day but didn’t take their opportunities – in fact they could have had the game wrapped up at quarter-time when they led 2.6 to 0.0.
It almost cost them as the Demons charged home from 14 points down at the last change and got within range when Megan Fitzsimon booted a goal with 2:36 to play, but the home team was able to hang on for a season-saving win.
Paige Scott was the hero for Essendon, grabbing 20 touches and kicking 3.3, with Joanne Doonan (16 disposals, five tackles), Amelia Radford (18 disposals), Grace Dicker (14 disposals, 10 tackles) and Reese Sutton (13 disposals, eight tackles) also important.
Alyssa Bannan (20 disposals, five marks, seven tackles, nine clearances, seven rebounds) and Fitzsimon (23 disposals, five clearances, one goal) almost dragged Casey over the line with support from Charlotte Wilson (15 disposals, five marks, seven rebounds), Amber Kinnane (13 disposals, 10 tackles) and Leah Swain (25 hitouts, five clearances, five tackles).
BOX HILL HAWKS vs COLLINGWOOD
BOX HILL HAWKS 0.1 0.2 2.3 3.3 (21)
COLLINGWOOD 2.0 3.2 3.3 7.3 (45)
COLLINGWOOD sent Box Hill Hawks crashing to their first loss of the season, winning by 24 points in the Sunday afternoon rain at Box Hill City Oval.
The Magpies kicked three goals to none in the first half and twice responded when the Hawks drew within a goal to kick clear with the last three majors of the game.
Magpie Sarah King (32 hitouts) had a great battle with Hawk Grace Matser (30 hitouts) in the ruck, but it was Collingwood who dominated possession with the top six ball winners.
The victors were led by Jess Bates (27 disposals, eight clearances, 14 tackles, one goal) and Matilda Zander (20 disposals, eight tackles), supported by Elizabeth Jackson (16 disposals, five tackles, five clearances) and Nyakoat Dojiok (16 disposals, five tackles, five entries, one goal).
Matilda van Berkel was the leading disposal winner for Box Hill with 13 (plus five tackles), but Amanda Tessari (12 disposals, one goal), Jordan Mifsud (11 disposals, 13 tackles, one goal) and Tamara Smith (12 tackles) also got involved.
ROUND 5 FIXTURE
Friday, April 21: Port Melbourne vs Box Hill Hawks (7:00pm, ETU Stadium). Saturday, April 22: Collingwood vs Essendon (11:00am, Victoria Park); Geelong vs Western Bulldogs (12:00pm, Deakin University); Carlton vs Williamstown (2:00pm, IKON Park); Darebin Falcons vs North Melbourne (2:30pm, Preston City Oval). Sunday, April 23: Casey Demons vs Southern Saints (10:30am, Casey Fields).
Click here to view full fixture and ladder.
Broadcast and streaming: All matches in the 2023 rebel VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website (AFL.com.au) and AFL Live Official App.
Live scoring and stats: Live scoring and stats will be available via both the AFL Live Official App and VFL App. Download the VFL App from the Apple or Google Play stores.
