DAREBIN Falcons are on the edge of the top six and will need to better one of the teams just inside the finals spots when they face Williamstown at Genis Steel Oval in Preston. The Seagulls sit fifth with a 7-4 win-loss record, while the Falcons are two wins behind on 5-6. However they are only six points outside the top six.

FORM

Williamstown is gunning to snap a two-game losing streak after losses to North Melbourne Werribee (21 points) and Port Melbourne (31 points) since beating Essendon back in Round 9. These sides are yet to face each other and Darebin will look for back-to-back wins following three straight losses prior to that.

TEAMS

Darebin Falcons

B: E. Southgate (54) – L. Burgess (3)
HB: E. Rayment (35) – C. Ryan (36) – C. McClure (23)
C: R. Christgoergl (5) – M. DeMatteo (52) – A. Gogos (1)
HF: T. Tysoe (14) – S. Du Parquet (50) – S. Egan (34)
F: B. Gray (24) – N. Callinan (2) – S. Simpson (17)
R: R. Langham (20) – P. Kearney (28)
INT: V. Blackwood (44) – A. Mifsud (9) – Z. Clubb (60) – B. Daddo (10) – C. Bunker (33)

Williamstown

B: A.Thorneycroft (17) L. Blue (47)
HB: M.Giannopoulos (14) E. Freeman (33) J. Wrigley (7)
C: I. Barker (16) E. Eaves (6) B.Gray (44)
HF: Z. Day (13) T. Brett (2) G. De Angelis (12)
F: K. Leare (1) C.Bain (10)
R: N.Crowley (40) M. Williamson (24) S. Whiting (25)
INT: T. Motta (39) – I Khoury (3) – K. Russell (45) – P.Chisholm (32) – R. Mahony (9)

CHANGES

Darebin Falcons have been able to recall Steph Simpson and Zoe Clubb to replace Amy Duguid and Olivia McLennan for the must-win clash. Williamstown have also made a few changes with the injured Zara Guss out of the Seagulls lineup with Yasmin Welsford and Mia D’Agostino. However they regain some height in Krystal Russell, as well as Phoebe Chisholm and Talia Motta.

ANALYSIS

Darebin Falcons have an experienced centre line that helps win the ball going forward in Angelica Gogos, Monique DeMatteo and Riley Christgoergl. It presents a fascinating battle between the arcs with the likes of Emily Eaves, Isabelle Khoury and Megan Williamson all accomplished ball-winners in their own right for Williamstown.

Up forward, the return of Simpson will provide an extra spark for the Falcons, while the evergreen Nicole Callinan and Sabine Du Parquet will be a handful for the Seagulls defender. DeMatteo is more than capable of scoring when pushing forward, kicking 15 majors this season to be equal third overall in the league goalkicking.

For the Seagulls, Gabriella De Angelis is a known goalkicker, while Sharnie Whiting leads her side in 2025 with nine. The defence is where the Seagulls thrive, as the running ability of Jemima Wrigley alongside Ashlee Thorneycroft and Laura Blue are all very talented players.

PREDICTION

Williamstown looks the marginally better team on paper, but Darebin has shown fantastic improvement this season to be a threat to just about any side. At the start the Falcons looked in trouble, but strung together four straight wins, and will be looking to recapture that form. Seagulls by 12 points.

ROUND 12 FIXTURE:

Saturday, July 12:

Collingwood vs. Casey Demons @ Victoria Park, 10:05am
Box Hill Hawks vs. Essendon @ Box Hill City Oval, 11:35am
Carlton vs. Western Bulldogs @ Ikon Park, 12:35pm
North Melbourne Werribee vs. Port Melbourne @ Arden Street, 1:00pm
Sandringham Zebras vs. Geelong @ Trevor Barker Oval, 2:05pm

Sunday, July 13:

Darebin Falcons vs. Williamstown @ Preston City Oval