FOR the most part, the margins over the weekend in the VFL Women’s were on the smaller end of the scale, but there were a few surprises thrown into the mix.

In one of the tightest results of the weekend, Box Hill has pinched a one-goal win over Carlton.

Trailing just about all game, it snuck home with a goal after the siren to earn the win.

Both teams had plenty of time in their respective forward 50s early in the match, but it was not until nine minutes in when Ashlee Thorneycroft kicked one straight that the first major went on the board.

Mia Austin gave Carlton its second minutes later to give the Blues proper reward for their time in forward 50.

The ball had spent the majority of the quarter so far in the Blues’ forward line, but after Austin’s goal, the Hawks finally got it back in their attack end, and Nicole Garner was able to get on the end of one and kicked truly to give Box Hill their first goal of the day.

That was to be the last score of the quarter though as the Blues took a five point lead into the first change.

It did not take as long for the goals to start flowing in the second term as it had in the first, with Imogen Milford slotting one home for the Blues in the fifth minute.

Even though the goals had started to come quicker in the second term, they were harder to come by as much of the play was between the 50m arcs.

Milford’s goal was ultimately the only one for the term as the Blues’ lead was out to 10 points at the main break.

Box Hill got its second half off to the perfect start when Grace Matser kicked the side’s second major inside the opening two minutes of the third term.

Just as the Hawks were starting to get some momentum and got the margin back down to three points, the Blues countered with a second goal to Milford.

For the rest of the quarter goals became as hard to find as attempting to run through the mud of Box Hill City Oval. Both sides’ defences really lifted and increased the difficulty for both sides to get a major on the board.

Things started to get fiery at the back end of the term, but in the end the margin was still 10 points in Carlton’s favour at the final change.

As the daylight began to fade slightly at City Oval, both teams again had several chances to score early in the last term but were unable.

That finally changed almost six minutes in as Matilda Van Berkel slotted a major through, and suddenly the margin was back down to four points.

The Hawks kept peppering the goals and dominated the territory battle, but just struggled to get the majors on the board.

Both sides managed to kick a couple more behinds, and it was looking like Calton would ultimately hold on for the win.

Enter Gabby Collingwood, who after earning a 50m penalty slotted a goal through after the siren to steal the win for her side on her debut.

For the Hawks Jess Vukic was really influential through the middle of the ground, proving experience and talent beyond her years. Annie Muir was also very lively up forward.

Meanwhile for the Blues Jess Good was really influential early, as was Thorneycroft and then Ally Bild.

In other results:

• In cold and slippery conditions, the Southern Saints have taken the win over Collingwood.

Although goals were hard to come by, the fact Collingwood did not kick a major until the last term was ultimately its undoing as the Saints went on to win by five points.

Jessica Bates again dominated the disposal count for Collingwood, finishing with 25 touches, while Tessa Boyd lead the way for the Saints with 24 of her own.

• Geelong has gone to outright top of the table after they came from behind to defeat Essendon by only two points.

Down by five points at the last change, the Cats rallied and kicked two goals to one to take the win.

Analea McKee starred for the Cats up front, kicking three of Geelong’s four goals, while up the other end Mia-Rae Clifford kicked half of Essendon’s goals.

• Casey is back on the winners list after a 13 point win over North out at Casey Fields.

Both teams started slow, but Casey did eventually kick into gear in the second half to stream away with the win.

Niamh O’Neill was the star up forward for the Dees with three majors, while for the Roos Jessica Mourney topped the team’s disposal tally with 17 touches.

• Williamstown has caused a bit of an upset in coming from behind to defeat Port Melbourne by four points.

Both teams began the game with a scoreless quarter, but by three quarter time the Borough were two goals up. They then went scoreless again in the last term as the Seagulls staged an almighty comeback to take the win.

Teagan Brett kicked two majors for the Seagulls in the win, while Federica Frew went one better and kicked half of Port Melbourne’s goals.

• In the only clash on Sunday, the Western Bulldogs also got back on the winners list with a comfortable 34 point win over Darebin.

A four goal to one first quarter in favour of the Bulldogs was a sign of what was to come, as the Dogs outclassed the Falcons.

Sarah Skinner was chief destroyer in front of the sticks for the Dogs with three majors to her name, while on the flipside Lauren Jatczak kicked two thirds of Darebin’s goals, including a clever banana from the pocket.