ON an intriguing weekend of results in the VFLW, there were plenty of VFLW listed players that continued to shine despite the continuing presence of AFLW stars.

Port Melbourne 2.3 (15) lost to Western Bulldogs 7.6 (48)

Port Melbourne:

#4 Courteney Bromage (Forward)
18/2/1999 | 164cm

Stats: four disposals, four marks, two tackles

Although the stat numbers would say otherwise, Bromage was an influential component for the Borough.

She was a lively forward that sometimes pushed up into the midfield, and even though she did not get her hands on the ball too many times officially, was sneaky enough to keep her defenders with one eye on her.

#5 Lauren Caruso (Defender)
19/11/1999 | 161cm

Stats: 15 disposals, seven tackles, three inside 50s, three rebound 50s, two clearances, one mark

Not short of opportunities to influence the game, influence the game is certainly what Caruso did.

Clearing the ball was Caruso’s strong suit on Friday night, with her long and powerful kick able to clear the defence and get the Borough out of trouble a number of times.

Western Bulldogs:

#57 Ashleigh Snow (Defender)
23/10/2002 | 158cm

Stats: 12 disposals, three rebound 50s, two marks, two tackles, one clearance

As someone who has sort of flying under the radar this season, she finally came to prominence in this game.

Playing off the half back line, Snow was a strong intercept marker and able to consistently repel the ball back into attack.

#63 Jaimi Tabb (Forward)
9/2/2001 | 168cm

Stats: 18 disposals, nine tackles, five inside 50s, three clearances, one mark, one rebound 50, one goal

It was another strong game from Tabb, who is the kind of player who really uses her height and agility to her advantage.

She displayed good lateral looking for the best option, and her powerful kick saw her kick a goal from about 50m out.

Williamstown 4.8 (32) defeated North Melbourne 4.4 (28)

Williamstown:

#18 Eliza Straford (Midfielder)
13/12/1997 | 159cm

Stats: 14 disposals, four marks, one clearance, one tackle, one behind

It was a true captain’s game from Straford, who was everywhere in midfield for the home side.

She was hard working and continuously putting her body on the line for the success of her team, but was also alert enough to what was going on around her to change her movement mid action if an intercept opportunity arose.

#20 Teagan Brett (Forward)
8/2/2001 | 157cm

Stats: Seven disposals, two tackles, one clearance, one mark, one goal, one behind

Although she is not what would be considered a tall forward, Brett sure does play like one.

She has strong leading and marking abilities, and is also a good judger of the breeze when shooting for goal, which is certainly important playing for a club with a home ground like Williamstown’s.

#25 Sharnie Whiting (Forward)
23/08/2000 | 172cm

Stats: Six disposals, two goas, one behind, one mark

Whiting is renowned for a few things in her game, and she showed them off again on the weekend.

She was a strong marking presence, and showed off her powerful kicking to kick several goals.

North Melbourne:

#12 Maddie Di Cosmo (Midfielder)
11/2/2002 | 169cm

Stats: 18 disposals, five clearances, four tackles, one mark

A true leader in North Melbourne’s midfield, Di Coso showed that again over the weekend.

A very hardworking midfielder, Di Cosmo was not afraid to get right into a pack and do whatever it took to get the ball out to her teammates.

#40 Nyakoat Dojiok (Forward)
07/01/2003 | 175cm

Stats: 15 disposals, eight hit outs, six tackles, five marks, three goals, one behind

Much like others in this game, Dojiok is renowned for certain things and showed off those prowess’ on the weekend.

Her strength in the air combined with creativity on the ground in front of goal makes her a hard opponent to match up on.

Darebin 7.6 (48) defeated Carlton 3.5 (23)

Darebin:

#20 Riley Christgoergl (Defender)
28/6/1996 | 168cm

Stats: Nine disposals, one tackle, one inside 50, one rebound 50

Although the stats may say otherwise, Christgeorgl was an important cog in Darebin’s backline on the weekend.

Playing on the last line of defence, she was mopping up the ball really well and had strong vision to be able to open up the angles and find the best positioned team mate further up the ground to keep Darebin’s momentum moving forward.

#33 Caitlin Bunker (Midfielder)
28/8/1993 | 165cm

Stats: 22 disposals, eight clearances, seven tackles, two rebound 50s, one goal

After not playing the week prior, Bunker came back into the Falcons’ side and continued to truly lead from the front.

There was plenty of in and under work from the Falcons’ co-captain, not afraid to throw her body into the contest and never give up until success had been achieved for her team.

#50 Sabine Cowley Du Parquet (Forward)
2/9/1997 | 174cm

Stats: 13 disposals, five marks, three tackles, one hit out, one clearance

It was another strong game from Cowley Du Parquet, who is continuing a purple patch of form in recent week.

Seemingly playing with an increased confidence, she was once again proving to be a strong marking presence, both in the attacking 50 and on the win, and was really helpful in Darebin’s transition into attack.

#52 Monique DeMatteo (Forward)
24/05/1997 | 168cm

Stats: 14 disposals, five tackles, three goals, two behinds, two marks, one clearance

DeMatteo is having an impressive season despite its late start and that just continued on the weekend.

Despite frustrations from calls going against her threatening to boil over, she was once again a strong and reliable marking target and powerful kick, with one of her goals coming from a 40m+ kick.

Carlton:

#52 Isabelle Khoury (Midfielder)
10/3/2003 | 164cm

Stats: 19 disposals, seven tackles, four marks, two clearances

A bit of a workhorse through midfield, Khoury created a lot of momentum for her team.

She was the one at the bottom of the packs, fishing the ball out to her team mates, but also creating that tackle pressure to make things harder for opponents.

#57 Georgia Tait (Forward)
11/7/2003 | 165cm

Stats: Seven disposals, three tackles, two marks, one goal, one behind

The forward who started things off for Carlton, Tait’s forward presence early really set the tone for her side, creating plenty of space and ultimately kicking the first goal that was truly against the run of play.

#62 Amy Trindade (Forward)
30/10/2005 | 160cm

Stats: 23 disposals, eight marks, five tackles, one goal, one behind

It was arguably Trindade’s most impactful game for the season, with the young forward a true shining light.

Despite her height classing her as a small forward, her strong marking presence and powerful kick had her playing like someone much taller.

Essendon 10.7 (67) defeated Casey 4.2 (26)

Essendon:

#49 Emily Tassiopoulos (Forward)
4/4/2004 | 172cm

Stats: 14 disposals, three marks, three goals, two tackles, two clearances, two inside 50s, one behind

In one of her most influential games of the season, Tassiopoulos was a massive part in Essendon’s second quarter dominance.

She was taking strong intercept marks to restart attacking play but was also a strong judger of the angels, kicking some goals from some pretty tight angles.

#61 El Chaston (Defender)
23/2/2002 | 169cm

Stats: 15 disposals, five inside 50s, two rebound 50s, one mark, one tackle

Despite the margin, the Bombers’ defence certainly had plenty of work to do and Chaston was at the forefront of any success the group had.

Playing off the half back line, Chaston was a great repellent off that half back line, creating plenty of drive back into attack.

#77 Tia Davidge (Forward)
7/11/2004 | 168cm

Stats: eight disposals, three goals, three tackles, two inside 50s, two marks

Davidge also starred up forward for the Bombers, and was also important in her side’s second quarter dominance.

She was the tall target up forward, and played that role really well and rewarded her teammates’ feeds with a game high three goals.

Casey:

#31 Kasey Phillips (Defender)
17/12/2003 | 175cm

Stats: 12 disposals, eight tackles, five marks, two hit outs, one rebound 50

Casey’s defence sure was tested on the weekend, and Phillips was the shining light of the group.

Playing on the last line of defence, she took a number of strong intercept marks and worked the ball back out of defence.

Geelong 0.1 (1) lost to Collingwood 6.7 (43)

By Peter Williams

Geelong:

#17 Lily Jordan (Midfielder)
29/06/2005 | 165cm

Stats: 19 disposals, 13 tackles, six clearances, one inside 50, one rebound 50

The over-age midfielder had arguably her best game of the year, getting it done both offensively and defensively. While the majority of her touches were in close, she thrived at the stoppages, winning a team-high six clearances – which was more than a quarter of her team’s total clearances – and laid 13 tackles, a game high.

Her ability to exit the stoppage and use either side of her body is a highlight, and while she can be overzealous at times and give away free kicks via tackles, she gives 100 per cent and does all the team things.

#37 Caitlin Reid (Ruck)
09/04/1997 | 185cm

Stats: 10 disposals, two marks, five tackles, 28 hitouts, two rebound 50s

Reid continues to be a prominent ruck in the VFLW competition, winning the battle against AFLW-listed opponents with 28 hitouts. Though once the ball hit the deck she found it tougher to compete this week, Reid does well to work into defence and impact marking contests, with her defensive running a nice point of difference compared to many rucks at state league level. She competes below her knees as evidenced by her tackling pressure, and while she did not win a stack of it, could be proud of her work in the ruck.

Collingwood:

#51 Jemma Ramsdale (Defender)
07/05/2005 | 174cm

Stats: Eight disposals, one mark, two tackles

The ex-Dandenong Stingrays captain was one who played her role and showed off her competitive nature. She loves a scrap and is not afraid to throw herself at everything. Her draftable traits – such as her skill execution and vision – were sublime, and with Ramsdale, it always comes down to whether or not AFLW clubs can overlook the athleticism element to give her a chance as a natural footballer. Very good one-on-one and makes good decisions with ball-in-hand.

#52 Akayla Peterson (Defender)
02/10/1994 | 176cm

Stats: 15 disposals, two marks, two tackles, two clearances, three inside 50s, four rebound 50s

Considering the Magpies’ dominance, Peterson could be more aggressive coming off half-back and hold a stronger line. She has nice athletic traits for a tall, with a quick first few steps and competes in the air. As a player who has always been around the mark for AFLW clubs as a mature-age prospect, Peterson did her chances no harm in the match as one of the better Magpies. She does not need a lot of touches to do damage, and she reads the play well coming in.

#55 Maya Ellin (Midfielder)
08/06/2005 | 169cm

Stats: Nine disposals, four tackles, five clearances

While Ellin’s stats might not jump off the page, her ability to make the most of them when on the inside really stood out. She got to the right spots at stoppages, and was able to clear the ball with more than half of her touches. She was clean at ground level, and though her disposal under pressure could improve and she can get pushed off it, Ellin showed some promising signs for an 18-year-old in the competition.

Box Hill 4.5 (29) defeated Southern Saints 2.6 (18)

Box Hill:

#46 Gabby Collingwood (Forward)
15/1/1999 | 163cm

Stats: 10 disposals, three marks, three tackles, one clearance

Although she mainly played as a forward, Collingwood was able to influence the game further up the ground.

She pushed up into the midfield at times, helping the Hawks’ transition down the field.

#74 Evie Parker (Winger)
6/7/2006 | 178cm

Stats: 14 disposals, five clearances, three marks, two tackles

It may have only been her first game in the competition, but Parker took to this level like a duck to water.

She was a reliable marking target out on the wing, and was an important cog in the transition path down the ground for the Hawks.

Southern Saints:

#5 Charlotte Ryan (Defender/Midfielder)
28/4/2003 | 161cm

Stats: 19 disposals, five marks, one clearance, one behind

Speed was one of Ryan’s biggest assets against the Hawks, and she used it to full advantage.

Playing off half back and sometimes pushing up into the midfield, that speed would come in handy as she burst away from packs and into attack.

#39 Gabriella De Angelis (Midfield/Forward)
17/11/2000 | 161cm

Stats: 16 disposals, four tackles, two marks, one clearance

Just like Collingwood, de Angelis played a more wide ranging role n the weekend to very positive effect.

She also played as a midfielder, using her speed to her advantage to break open the pack and get the move going for her team.