CASEY Demons spoiled the party on the Apple Isle as Round 1 of the VFL Women’s season kicked off for the 2026 season. The Demons headed south for the historic opening match of the Tasmania Devils’ VFLW side and outlasted the home team with a three goals to nil fourth quarter to seal the 8.6 (54) to 4.5 (29) victory.

While all eyes were on the Devils as they took the next step towards becoming an AFLW team, Casey was focused purely on the job at hand, and raced out of the blocks to a 22-point lead at quarter time. With the crowd behind them, the Devils wrestled back momentum to cut the deficit to just nine points at the final break, before the Demons kicked away at the end.

Goals to Anna Vrsecky and Alice Robinson in the first six minutes of the final quarter all but sealed the result, before Abbey Rabot put the icing on the cake in the dying minutes. It was a fairly even game across the board with both sides having 31 entries despite the Demons marginally ahead on clearances (29-27). The Devils slowed play down when they could, taking 96 marks to 76, and while both sides brought the heat with 90-plus tackles each, the Demons lead all game to take home the four points.

Leading from the front was Meg Macdonald who notched up a game-high 26 disposals, five marks, 11 tackles, five clearances, five inside 50s and five rebound 50s, while Vrsecky peppered the goals all day with three majors and four behinds from 19 disposals and four marks. She supported Demons ruck Zahri Burn (27 hitouts) around the stoppages, while ex-Gippsland Power skipper Rebecca Fitzpatrick (17 disposals, three marks and seven tackles) and fellow Vic Country representative Lillian Snow (12 disposals, three rebound 50s) impressed.

For the Devils, former Northern Melbourne player Libby Haines made history kicking the club’s first ever VFLW goal, and she also had a team-high 19 disposals, three marks, six tackles, four clearances and three inside 50s. Angelica Clark (16 disposals, three marks, 11 tackles and four inside 50s) also hit the scoreboard, while Jessie Williams, Sarah Skinner and Perri King showed their experience from AFLW clubs now back in their home state with impressive outings.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Reigning premiers North Melbourne Werribee showed no signs of slowing down in 2026 with interim VFLW coach Emma Kearney leading the side to a comfortable 44-point win over Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium. The Roos trailed at the first break by 11 points, but piled on 8.10 to 0.3 in the final three quarters to storm to an 8.14 (62) to 2.6 (18) victory.

Maddie Di Cosmo (32 disposals, seven marks, nine tackles, seven clearances, four inside 50s and a goal) was superb, and she was well supported by former Cat Abby Favell and best on ground in last year’s grand final, Alana Barba. Former Western Jet Alex McBride-Loane made a promising start to her VFLW debut season with 16 disposals, five marks and seven rebound 50s in the back 50.

Collingwood also produced a good win, shaking off preliminary finalists Box Hill to show the reigning runners-up will be there again. The Magpies saluted 9.10 (64) to 5.7 (37) at Box Hill City Oval, with skipper Dominique Carbone and Geelong Falcons recruit Stella Huxtable among the better players. Amelia Peck and Ash Patton both kicked two goals. Hawthorn’s defence of Matilda Van Berkel, Annabelle Embelton and former National Academy member Ella Stoddart was strong, as the trio combined for 60 disposals, 17 marks and 22 rebound 50s.

The game of the round saw Sandringham snatch the four points from Essendon, after trailing most of the day but being in front when it counted. The Zebras only lead for 10 minutes – compared to the Bombers- 69 – but that mattered little at the end with the home team getting up, 6.5 (41) to 5.8 (38). It was no surprise to see the likes of Grace Hodder and Deanna Jolliffe leading the way, as recruit Mackenzie Williams had 17 disposals, seven marks and seven rebound 50s out of the back half. El Chaston (25 disposals, six marks, six tackles, five clearances, nine inside 50s, four rebound 50s and a goal) was the clear star for the Bombers.

Carlton also got its VFLW season off to a great start with a 17-point win over Darebin, 7.8 (50) to 5.3 (33). The Blues really dominated around the coalface (35-22 clearances) and had 37 inside 50s to 27 to ensure the game was played on their terms. Hannah Scott and Zoe Larkins found plenty of the ball, as Grace Matser starred in the ruck and Sophia McCarthy booted a couple of goals. Caitlin Bunker and Lulu Beatty were standouts for the Falcons, while Kasey Lennox battled admirably in the defensive half.

In the other game, Williamstown could hardly miss at Deakin University in Waurn Ponds, securing a massive 55-point win over Geelong, 12.3 (75) to 3.2 (20). The Seagulls’ accuracy really put them on top early, and a four goals to one second quarter was the difference. Mia Zielinski kicked four goals from 10 disposals and eight marks up forward, as Emily Eaves and Ellen Williams were amongst the best for the winners. Recruits Annie Lee and Isabella Davies both did well for the Cats in a tough loss to start the season.