SOME massive wins and a couple of genuine contenders have emerged after Round 3 of the VFL Women’s with AFLW-listed players slowly filtering out ahead of their own preseasons.

ROUND 3 RESULTS

Collingwood 4.2 (26) defeated by Western Bulldogs 6.13 (49)
Darebin 1.1 (7) defeated by Port Melbourne 8.5 (53)
Essendon 5.5 (35) defeated North Melbourne Werribee 4.8 (32)
Box Hill Hawks 11.9 (75) defeated Casey Demons 3.7 (25)
Carlton 2.2 (14) defeated by Sandringham Zebras 2.6 (18)
Williamstown 10.4 (64) defeated Geelong 2.5 (17)

SUMMARY

Just two teams remain undefeated after the first three weeks with the rampaging Box Hill Hawks, and gritty Sandringham Zebras both going 3-0. At the other end of the scale, Casey Demons, Geelong and Darebin are the only sides without a victory, while the remaining seven teams fit in the mid-table logjam of at least one win and at least one defeat.

2024 AFLW DRAFTEES

Carlton: Lou-Lou Field (13 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50)
Western Bulldogs: Emma McDonald (15 disposals, 6 marks, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal)

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

Box Hill midfielder Isla Baldwin‘s magnificent season rolled on, with a 25-disposal, four-mark, five-tackle, three-clearance, six-inside 50 and one-goal game for the Hawks against Casey Demons. She is one of a number of Hawks in the AFLW Draft frame, with fellow former Eastern Ranges talent Stasia Stevenson (16 disposals, five tackles, six clearances and a goal) working well alongside her and former defender Annabelle Embelton (16 disposals, five marks, 11 hitouts, four inside 50s and two goals) rotating between ruck and forward.

Collingwood speedster Charlotte Brewer was exciting on her way to 19 disposals, three marks, three tackles, two clearances and four inside 50s, as Dandenong Stingrays listed over-ager Tahlia Sanger had some big moments. Former National Academy member Millie Lang was rock solid in defence, while Lilly Leighton held her own for the black and whites.

In the Darebin-Port Melbourne clash, ex-Blue Lulu Beatty (18 disposals, three marks, five tackles, three clearances and three rebound 50s) and ex-Lion Ava Seton (18 disposals, 14 tackles and six clearances) loom as top players to earn second chances. Speaking of second chances, North Melbourne midfielder Alana Barba (22 disposals, five tackles and eight clearances) was huge against her former side Essendon.

Imogen Evans (20 disposals, eight clearances) looked a step above at the level playing her preferred midfield role, while Carlton’s Amy Trindade has enjoyed a nice season in the navy blue. Finally at Geelong, over-age prospects Chloe Bryant and Mekah Morrissy both combined for 43 disposals, 11 tackles, nine clearances and 11 inside 50s, as Abby Favell (24 disposals, 11 tackles, nine clearances and a goal) remains a mature-age prospect. Williamstown duo Jemima Wrigley and Emily Eaves also have AFLW traits.

ROUND 4 FIXTURE

Saturday, May 17:

North Melbourne Werribee vs. Western Bulldogs @ Arden Street, 12:05pm
Carlton vs. Darebin @ Ikon Park, 12:35pm
Collingwood vs. Box Hill Hawks @ Victoria Park, 2:05pm
Casey Demons vs. Essendon @ Casey Fields, 2:35pm
Port Melbourne vs. Geelong @ ETU Stadium, 4:05pm

Sunday, May 18:

Sandringham Zebras vs. Williamstown @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 9:45am