AFTER a long-awaited three-week break, the Victorian Football League (VFL) Women’s competition returned to action in Round 13, with several sides ruled out of finals contention, whilst others secured their spot in the post-season series. A number of NAB League Girls made their debuts in the competition, as we took a look at how they performed, as well as some of the others who have graduated the elite junior competition.

Geelong held off Hawthorn in a tight battle between the rival clubs, with the Hawks’ plethora of Eastern Ranges talents getting a run around. Isabelle Khoury (12 disposals, eight tackles) was the pick of the bunch, with current teammates Cadhla Schmidli (seven disposals), Eloise Chaston (six disposals and one goal), Keeley Sherar (six disposals, six tackles), Bridget Deed and Sarah Humm all donning the brown and gold.

Former Ranges player Jenna Richardson had the 13 disposals, six marks and four tackles in an impressive effort, whilst Gippsland Power’s Grace McRae (12 disposals, four tackles) and Northern Territory young gun Dominique Carbone (nine disposals, three marks and five tackles) also impressed. For the Cats, ex-Murray midfielder Tamara Smith continued her impressive season with 13 disposals and seven tackles, while former Falcon Paige Sheppard (nine disposals, two marks, three tackles and a goal) and current GWV Rebels utility Chloe Leonard (seven disposals) also played in the tight contest.

Collingwood dominated the Western Bulldogs in the second half on their way to a huge 64-point victory, and had plenty of young talents coming through. Oakleigh’s Stella Reid (13 disposals, two marks) and Eliza James (10 disposals, three tackles) both held their own in the contest, with former Gippsland Power defender Jasmine Ferguson standing up on the last line, and Olivia Meagher also playing through some early soreness to finish the game.

The Western Bulldogs had a trio of GWV Rebels return to the side, led by Ella Friend (seven disposals), Lilli Condon and Tahlia Meier (both five), with Western Jets midfielder Trinity Skenderis picking up the eight touches and ex-Bendigo Pioneers skipper Brooke Hards laying 13 tackles and having three clearances from her four kicks.

Another former Bendigo skipper in Megan Williamson ran around for the Seagulls again laying five tackles with her five touches, whilst the current Bendigo skipper was on the opposite side – Essendon – with Tara Slender making her debut, picking up six touches, two marks, three tackles and a behind. Calder Cannons’ Zali Friswell booted a goal from three scoring chances for the Bombers, as Calder teammates Emelia Yassir (13 touches, seven tackles) and Kasey Lennox (seven disposals, two marks) also impressed.

Former Cannons Alana Barba (17 disposals, 11 tackles), Grace Dicker and Lauren Caruso also played in the match, with ex-Bushrangers talent Eloise Ashley Cooper picking up 10 touches and laying four tackles in the win.

A couple of former NAB League talents in Emma Horne (seven disposals) and Bridie Winbanks (five disposals, 12 hitouts and five tackles) ran around in Casey Demons’ win over Darebin. For the Falcons, Northern Knights duo Trinity Mills (11 disposals, five marks and four tackles) and Mikayla Plunkett (10 disposals, two marks and eight tackles) were named the best for the losing side. Calder Cannons’ Peppa Poultney and Katelyn Hazlett were among he present and former NAB Leaguers to pull on the Darebin jumper.

Southern Saints enjoyed a tight win over Carlton to give themselves best chance at a finals spot, and they had a number of young guns running around. Sandringham Dragons’ duo Pia Staltari (nine disposals, four tackles) and Emma Stuber both got their chance at VFLW level, whilst Jemma Radford had another game coming out of the Stingrays’ program. Ex-Ranges forward Gabi De Angelis had 15 disposals, two marks and nine tackles, whilst former Chargers tall Amelia Peck booted a goal from eight touches and four marks. Ex-Stingray Grace Hodder continued her stint at senior level for the Saints.

The Blues welcomed back Northern Knights duo Maeve Chaplin (10 disposals, five tackles) and Tara Delgado (six disposals, two tackles), while ex-Charger Amber Micallef stood up with 11 disposals, three marks and three tackles in the loss.

Port Melbourne had no shortage of young stars running around in its big win over North Melbourne, lead by Oakleigh Chargers’ Brooke Vickers (13 disposals, two marks) and Dandenong Stingrays’ Ashleigh Richards (11 disposals, four marks and a goal). Chargers’ Amanda Ling had another impressive outing with 10 touches, three marks, four tackles and a goal, whilst Dandenong Stingrays’ Jaide Anthony (seven disposals, two marks) and ex-Bushranger Sophie Locke (seven disposals, two marks and five tackles) also worked hard. North Melbourne had GIANTS Academy hard nut Jayde Hamilton back onball for nine touches, four marks and three tackles.