DAREBIN Falcons cracked through for their first win over the VFL Women’s season in Round 4 with an incredible three-point victory over Collingwood. In what could be the last round with AFLW-aligned players in it given the preseason has begun, the Bulldogs were the only side to play any draftees from last year.

ROUND 4 RESULTS

Darebin Falcons 3.8 (26) def. Collingwood 3.5 (23)
Geelong 2.5 (17) def. by Sandringham Zebras 10.6 (66)
Essendon 7.7 (49) def. Carlton 3.4 (22)
Western Bulldogs 11.13 (79) def. Casey Demons 2.2 (14)
North Melbourne Werribee 9.7 (61) def. Box Hill Hawks 4.3 (27)
Williamstown 4.3 (27) def. by Port Melbourne 5.7 (37)

SUMMARY

Darebin’s maiden win meant that just Casey Demons and Geelong Cats are left without a victory from the first month, while up the other end of the table, North Melbourne Werribee’s 34-point triumph over Box Hill Hawks meant just Sandringham Zebras are undefeated. The top six sides all have three wins or more, with only Williamstown (two) separating those sides from the bottom five with one win or less.

2024 AFLW DRAFTEES

Western Bulldogs: Emma McDonald (16 disposals, 8 marks, 2 tackles, 1 hitout, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals, 4 score involvements), Sarah Poustie (17 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 score involvements)

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

Isla Baldwin (Box Hill) continues to catch attention with her sensational year. The former Eastern Ranges midfielder has been ultra-consistent at state league level thus far. She and one of her Eastern graduate teammates in Stasia Stevenson are good enough to reach the next level with their smarts.

Currently in the Dandenong Stingrays’ program, Tahlia Sanger is going from strength-to-strength in a Collingwood side with another team-high 24 disposals, nine marks and eight tackles, earning best afield for the Magpies in the loss to Darebin. Ex-Blue Lulu Beatty remains a name to watch for the Falcons from the same game.

Geelong’s Abby Favell has always had the talent for higher levels but just needed it all to click and she is carving out a very good state league career now. Though her Cats have been struggling on the scoreboard, she is a shining light, while tackling machine Mekah Morrissy was strong as well.

Sandringham has a host of ex-AFLW players to keep an eye on, but one yet to reach the top level is Dandenong Stingrays graduate Abbey Tregellis who can be a tall utility or even big-bodied midfielder.

Ex-Calder captain Amy Trindade and former Pioneer Steph Demeo are a couple of Blues who were on the radar in their respective draft years who are doing great things in the Navy Blue, while at the Demons, Tasmanian rebounding defender Mackenzie Williams has adapted without any problems at VFLW level.

Elsewhere, the readymade midfielders from Williamstown are players clubs should be keeping tabs on such as Jemima Wrigley and Emily Eaves, while at the Roos, Nyakoat Dojiok and Tahlia Meier have always been around the mark and had interest from AFLW clubs in the past.

ROUND 5 FIXTURE

Saturday, May 17:

Carlton vs. Darebin Falcons @ Ikon Park, 12:35pm
North Melbourne Werribee vs. Western Bulldogs @ Arden Street, 2:05pm
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 Oval, 9:45am