FRESH off a bye after a first-up win against Tasmania, the Swans produced another strong performance, downing Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels at Highgate Recreation Reserve by seven goals. That was our feature game of Round 5 as a jam-packed eight-match fixture filled both days across multiple states.

Sydney Swans Academy triumphed at Craigieburn with a 42-point victory over GWV Rebels at an unusually pleasant and sun-scorched Highgate Recreation Reserve. The Calder Cannons’ home ground which is best known for its wind and quite often rain was found to host perfect conditions for the travelling sides. It made for a genuine football contest without too many obstacles – such as excessive behinds – and the Swans were able to salute with 16 scoring shots to nine in the match.

There were not much between the sides in the opening term as it took a while for either team to score, feeling each other out in the clash. It was athletic tall forward Alex Neyland who broke the drought, getting the Swans on top, before the Rebels peppered the goals and eventually answered through Macy Irvin. However it would be a long time between drinks for the Rebels as the Swans piled on four unanswered goals in the second term and kicked 10 of the next 11 majors to blow the margin out to 47 points midway through the last term.

To the Rebels’ credit they kept fighting to the end with speedster Scarlett O’Donnell and ruck/forward Nikki Clover both adding their names to the scoresheet late, in between an Emma Juneja major. Earlier, Taylor Smith had kicked three second half goals – after her first game 14 minutes into the second term – with the undersized lead-up forward being a strong target on the lead and making the most of her 11 disposals and four marks.

The Swans had plenty of winners all across the park with high-upside midfielder Kiera Yerbury (26 disposals, three marks, four tackles, six clearances, four inside 50s and one goal, though also got on the wrong side of the umpires with five frees against. Neyland (22 disposals, six marks, eight tackles, four inside 50s and two goals) stood tall up forward after partner in crime Grace Parsons came off with a sprained ankle midway through the match.

Bottom-age star Charlotte Tidemann did as she pleased from the back half with 25 disposals and seven rebound 50s, while the inclusion of the over-age prospects such as Smith, Juneja, Lauren Bull and Ellie Veerhuis were important to getting the win. Left-footed midfielder Molly Thomas, ruck Madeleine Quinn and hard-running Frances Walsh also caught the eye in what was a team effort, as Lucinda Watson also ran both ways.

For the Rebels, Isabella Davies was a clear standout, racking up 32 disposals, three marks, seven tackles, four clearances, three inside 50s and seven rebound 50s to provide plenty of resistance both around the ball and behind it. Maggie Johnstone used her strength out of the middle well, while Jovie Skewes-Clinton almost kicked the Goal of the Year under pressure from the boundary but it was only just touched on the line.

O’Donnell’s run across the field culminated in her nice goal, while Elsie Conroy was a rock in an often undersiege defence, finishing with 10 rebound 50s from 15 disposals and four marks. Clover and Lila Evans were also among the most productive Rebels on the day.

Sydney Swans Academy takes on its biggest challenge yet in Round 6 when it tackles Eastern Ranges at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday, while the GWV Rebels head to Swan Hill to face western neighbours, Bendigo Pioneers.

GWV REBELS 1.3 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 4.5 (29)
SWANS ACADEMY 1.0 | 5.1 | 8.3 | 11.5 (71)

GOALS:
GWV Rebels: S. Burton, N. Clover, M. Irvin, S. O’Donnell
Swans Academy: T. Smith 4, A. Neyland 2, K. Yerbury, E. Juneja, L. Micheletti, E. Haley, A. Wain

RMC BEST:
GWV Rebels: I. Davies, S. O’Donnell, J. Skewes-Clinton, M. Johnstone, E. Conroy
Swans Academy: K. Yerbury, A. Neyland, T. Smith, C. Tidemann, F. Walsh

TASMANIA DEVILS 1.1 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 5.6 (36)
GIANTS ACADEMY 3.1 | 4.3 | 7.5 | 10.8 (68)

IN A NUTSHELL

Winning all four quarters, the Giants Academy came away with the 32-point win down on the Apple Isle, overcoming a Tasmania Devils side that again got caught out by a slow start before finding more rhythm in the second half.

KEY PLAYERS

Tasmania Devils

Priya Bowering – 22 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 7 clearances, 4 inside 50s
Matilda Lange – 21 disposals, 3 tackles, 8 clearances, 2 inside 50s
Ava Read – 16 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Giants Academy

Majella Day – 11 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles, 6 goals
Ellie Hall – 24 disposals, 8 marks, 5tackles, 2 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s, 1 goal
Darcie Prosser-Shaw – 22 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 4 clearances, 9 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

NEXT ROUND

Giants Academy vs. Western Jets | Sat May 17, 10:30am @ Windy Hill
Tasmania Devils vs. Geelong Falcons | Sun May 18, 10:00am @ North Hobart

BENDIGO PIONEERS 2.2 | 3.3 | 4.4 | 5.4 (34)
CALDER CANNONS 5.3 | 8.6 | 8.12 | 10.17 (77)

IN A NUTSHELL

Calder Cannons scored a big 43-point win over Bendigo Pioneers up at Queen Elizabeth Oval thanks to an eight goals to three opening half before inaccuracy set in that reduced the final margin in what had been an inside 50s domination.

KEY PLAYERS

Bendigo Pioneers

Ava Bibby – 21 disposals, 11 marks, 23 hitouts, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal
Lacey Nihill – 21 disposals, 8 marks, 4 tackles, 6 rebound 50s
Sage Dennis – 17 disposals, 7 marks, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 rebound 50s

Calder Cannons

Chloe Baker-West – 38 disposals, 14 marks, 4 tackles, 10 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s
Jasmina Curtis – 20 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 goals
Shauna McElligott – 19 disposals, 5 tackles, 8 inside 50s, 1 goal

NEXT ROUND

Calder Cannons vs. Gippsland Power | Sun May 18, 11:00am @ Shepley Oval
Bendigo Pioneers vs. GWV Rebels | Sun May 18, 10:00am @ Swan Hill Showgrounds

LIONS ACADEMY 1.2 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 3.6 (24)
EASTERN RANGES 2.3 | 2.5 | 3.6 | 6.8 (44)

IN A NUTSHELL

Eastern Ranges finally shook off Brisbane Lions Academy in the final term with a three goals to one last term that secured a 20-point win in what had been a nail-biting contest up at Sandgate.

KEY PLAYERS

Lions Academy:

Kaiya Hides – 20 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Jemma Foley – 16 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 6 rebound 50s
Edie Fraser – 16 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Eastern Ranges:

Jordyn Allen – 26 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 10 rebound 50s
Tayla McMillan – 24 disposals, 6 tackles, 8 clearances, 2 inside 50s
Brylee Anderson – 21 disposals, 7 tackles, 4 clearances, 7 rebound 50s

NEXT ROUND

Eastern Ranges vs. Swans Academy | Sat May 17, 10:45am @ Box Hill City Oval
Lions Academy vs. Oakleigh Chargers | Sun May 18, 1:00pm @ Windy Hill

DANDENONG STINGRAYS 2.2 | 5.3 | 6.7 | 8.9 (57)
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 0.4 | 4.7 | 5.10 | 7.11 (53)

IN A NUTSHELL

In the match of the round, Dandenong Stingrays kept ahead of, but could never quite shake off a spirited Sandringham Dragons who dominated the inside 50s count (48-28), but still remained undefeated in season 2025 thanks to a narrow four-point win.

KEY PLAYERS

Dandenong Stingrays

Lillian Snow – 23 disposals, 6 marks, 6 tackles, 10 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Alice Cunnington – 17 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 3 goals, 2 behinds
Scarlett Marsh – 16 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 7 rebound 50s

Sandringham Dragons

Macy Watkins – 23 disposals, 7 marks, 9 tackles, 5 clearances, 8 inside 50s
Chloe Williams – 17 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal
Sienna Sharp – 17 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

NEXT ROUND

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Tasmania Devils | Sat May 31, 1:30pm @ Shepley Oval
Sandringham Dragons vs. Murray Bushrangers | Sun May 18, 1:00pm @ Deakin Reserve

SUNS ACADEMY 1.2 | 2.3 | 3.4 | 5.5 (35)
OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 2.4 | 6.6 | 7.6 | 8.8 (56)

IN A NUTSHELL

Reigning back-to-back Talent League Girls premiers Oakleigh Chargers took advantage in the first half booting six goals to two, including four majors to one in the second term which set up the 21-point victory at People First Stadium.

KEY PLAYERS

Suns Academy

Sunny Lappin – 26 disposals, 4 marks, 6 clearances, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal
Rhianna Ingram – 23 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 rebound 50s
Alannah Welsh – 22 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals

Oakleigh Chargers

Chloe Bown – 24 disposals, 5 marks, 10 tackles, 7 clearances, 7 inside 50s
Bailee Martin – 13 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 4 goals, 3 behinds
Zoe Curry – 16 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 7 inside 50s

NEXT ROUND

Oakleigh Chargers vs. Lions Academy | Sun May 18, 1:00pm @ Windy Hill
Suns Academy vs. Northern Knights | Sun May 18, 10:30am @ Genis Steel Oval

NORTHERN KNIGHTS 2.2 | 6.4 | 9.5 | 10.6 (66)
MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 2.2 (14)

IN A NUTSHELL

After Murray kicked the first goal of the game, Northern slammed home 10 on the trot to come away with the comprehensive 52-point win at Preston City Oval on Sunday.

KEY PLAYERS

Northern Knights

Marlo Graham – 33 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s
Katelyn Busuttil – 28 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal
Olivia Gorman – 22 disposals, 5 marks, 10 tackles, 9 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Murray Bushrangers

Nikhita Spiteri – 22 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Sophia Green – 22 disposals, 8 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Skylah McPherson – 21 disposals, 8 tackles, 3 inside 50s

NEXT ROUND

Northern Knights vs. Suns Academy | Sun May 18, 10:30am @ Genis Steel Oval
Murray Bushrangers vs. Sandringham Dragons | Sun May 18, 1:00pm @ Deakin Reserve

GEELONG FALCONS 0.1 | 2.3 | 3.4 | 4.10 (34)
GIPPSLAND POWER 1.1 | 3.2 | 7.3 | 8.3 (51)

IN A NUTSHELL

A four goals to one third term was the difference between Gippsland and Geelong as the Power made it two wins on the trot with a 17-point victory down at Werribee.

KEY PLAYERS

Gippsland Power

Chelsea Sutton – 20 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal
Grace Dillow – 14 disposals, 9 tackles, 4 clearances, 6 inside 50s
Abby Hobson – 13 disposals, 9 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Geelong Falcons

Stella Huxtable – 35 disposals, 8 marks, 3 tackles, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal
Georgia Tyrrell – 20 disposals, 16 tackles, 4 clearances, 7 inside 50s
Ally Lappin – 12 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s

NEXT ROUND

Gippsland Power vs. Calder Cannons | Sun May 18, 11:00am @ Shepley Oval
Geelong Falcons vs. Tasmania Devils | Sun May 18, 10:00am @ North Hobart