WESTERN Bulldogs have ended North Melbourne Werribee’s unbeaten VFL Women’s start to 2026, surviving a monumental territory deficit to snatch a one-point win in the Round 12 headline act at Avalon Airport Oval.

North Melbourne Werribee 5.3 (33) def. by Western Bulldogs 5.4 (34)

The Bulldogs won this game in the opening 20 minutes and then spent the next three quarters refusing to give it back. Missing six players to AFLW match simulation duties and forced into seven changes, the visitors kicked 4.1 to 0.0 in the first term and held on from there, prevailing 5.4 (34) to 5.3 (33) against a side that had not lost all season. In a game where they were outplayed on every count but one, that opening quarter was the match.

North responded with three unanswered goals in the second quarter to cut the deficit to eight points at the main break, and levelled the scores at 5.2 apiece by the final change. The last term produced three behinds and nothing else – two to the Bulldogs, one to the Kangaroos – and that single point was the difference.

The raw numbers say the Kangaroos should have won comfortably. North had 259 disposals to 176 – won the kicks 160-114 and the handballs 99-62 – took 53 marks to 25, controlled the stoppages with 49 hitouts to 27 and 35 clearances to 29, and even edged the inside 50 count 30-28. The Bulldogs won exactly one meaningful category – tackles, 84 to 59 – and it was enough. North’s ball movement was constant but rarely clean, its entries hurried under pressure, and eight scoring shots from 30 forward-50 entries was the cost.

India Barker led the Bulldogs’ ball-winning with 15 disposals, five tackles, three inside 50s and three rebound 50s, but the performance of the day belonged to Kiera Leare, whose 14 disposals came with 12 contested possessions, a game-high 12 tackles and three clearances. Jaimi Tabb was equally unrelenting at the coalface with 11 disposals – 10 contested – seven tackles, seven clearances and three inside 50s, while Ellie Bishop matched her almost stat for stat with 12 disposals – 10 contested – seven tackles, three clearances and three inside 50s.

Erica Fowler held her own against a two-pronged ruck division, posting 23 hitouts to go with nine disposals, five marks, seven tackles and three inside 50s. Steph Asciak (12 disposals, six tackles) and Jemima Wrigley (10 disposals, three tackles and three inside 50s) were busy, while Rain Dodd (10 disposals, eight contested and four tackles) and Chelsea McDermott (10 disposals, four marks and three tackles) both justified their recalls. Up forward, Cassidy Mailer made her return count with two goals from just six touches.

For the Kangaroos, Ava Seton was clearly best afield in a losing side, amassing 29 disposals – a huge 20 contested possessions – six tackles, nine clearances, five inside 50s and a goal. Alana Barba was similarly damaging with 24 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances and a goal, while Matilda Zander (16 disposals, three marks and five clearances) provided the third prong through the middle.

Gabby Collingwood was prolific on the outside with 19 disposals, three marks, four tackles and three inside 50s, and Poppy Ella Schaap (15 disposals, three marks and three tackles) kept the ball moving. Stella Reid (14 disposals, four marks and five rebound 50s) and Bridget Deed (16 disposals and three rebound 50s) were the primary launchers out of defence.

Emily Hurley had the most hitouts through the ruck with 24 to go with 11 disposals, three marks, three tackles, three clearances and three inside 50s, ably supported by Lauren Jatczak (nine disposals, five tackles and 22 hitouts). Tahlia Meier was the most dangerous forward with two goals from 16 disposals and four marks, while Amanda Ling (12 disposals, four marks and three tackles), Ellyse Gamble (11 disposals, five marks and three tackles) and Chloe Bryant (12 disposals and three inside 50s) all contributed.

Young development-listed pair Polly Conway (seven disposals, four marks and six tackles) and Addison Baars (eight disposals, eight contested, three tackles and three clearances) showed plenty in a beaten side. Nyakoat Dojiok was well held for one goal from eight disposals.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

In arguably the only other match that could come close to knocking off the above for upset of the season, Geelong rolled Collingwood in an incredible nine-point victory at Deakin University in Waurn Ponds. The Cats have suffered some tough times over the last couple of years but are on the improve in 2026, and came from eight points down at the final break to boot three goals to nil in the final term and win, 4.3 (28) to 2.6 (18) and hand the Magpies just their second loss of the season.

Lucy Marescuk (27 disposals, three tackles, three clearances and six inside 50s) and Mekah Morrissy (21 disposals, 12 tackles, six clearances and five inside 50s) won the battle against former Geelong Falcon teammate Stella Huxtable (27 disposals, four marks, seven tackles, six clearance and six inside 50s) and ex-Cat Lily Jordan (21 disposals, three marks, three tackles and four rebound 50s). Nikita Harris was the difference with three goals from 14 touches and six tackles up forward for the Cats, while Abbey Tregellis (25 disposals, four marks, 12 tackles and three rebound 50s) was industrious again for the Magpies.

Meanwhile an inaccurate Darebin Falcons suffered a second straight goalless loss, going down to Port Melbourne, 4.8 (32) to 0.7 (7). After failing to score against the Magpies last round, Darebin had its chances this week with only two less inside 50s (34-36) and one more clearance (33-32), while dominating the hitouts (63-27), but could only convert seven behinds.

In an even team performance, Courtney Jones had the most touches for Port Melbourne with 20, as well as five tackles, three clearances and five inside 50s. Kaitlyn O’Keefe struggled with some inaccuracy kicking 1.4 from 16 disposals, nine tackles and six clearances, while Eloise Ashley-Cooper (17 disposals, 13 tackles and eight clearances was enormous around the stoppages. For Darebin, Caitlin Bunker (31 disposals, six marks, six tackles, eight clearances, seven inside 50s and seven rebound 50s) was best-on in defeat, while the ever reliable Isabella Daddo and Alyssa Mifsud were also amongst the best.

Carlton’s promising season rolled on with a 28-point win over Casey Demons, as Hannah Scott, Zoe Larkins and Octavia Di Donato combined for 92 disposals in the victory. Scott and Larkins also shared in 15clearances, while Di Donato plucked five marks, had six inside 50s and booted a goal. Asha Turner Funk stood up in the middle as well, contributing eight clearances from 19 disposals. Zoe Mitchell worked hard for the Demons with 23 disposals, five clearances, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s, while Meg Macdonald and Jessica Pacevski also battled on.

Meanwhile Tasmania Devils came away with a comfortable 40-point win over Essendon at Windy HIll, claiming a convincing 9.5 (59) to 2.7 (19) victory with the Bombers’ two majors both coming in the second term. Forward Ava Read tore the home side apart with five goals from 10 disposals, four marks and four tackles. Ellie Hall (25 disposals, 11 marks, three inside 50s and four rebound 50s) was enormous in gaining momentum, while Sarah Skinner, Perri King and Alicia Gordon all were among the best. Ashlea Melnikas (20 disposals, four marks, four tackles, five clearances, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s) and Amelie Gladman (18 disposals, four marks, three tackles, seven clearances and three inside 50s) were the best for the Bombers.

In the standalone Sunday match, Williamstown put an inaccurate afternoon at Trevor Barker Beach Oval behind them as the Seagulls took out Sandringham Zebras by 19 points, 6.11 (47) to 4.4 (28). Leading from the front, star Seagull Emily Eaves was enormous with 19 disposals, four tackles, secen clearances, four inside 50s and a gaol, well supported by Taelah Smith (19 disposals, six marks, five tackles and three inside 50s). Mia Zielinski booted 2.2 from 16 disposals and six marks, while Georgia Howes starred through the ruck with 33 hitouts alongside 12 disposals, five marks and four inside 50s. Georgia Zuchowski (17 disposals, three marks, four tackles, three clearances and four rebound 50s) was the top ball-winner for the home team, while Charlotte Taylor (17 disposals, four marks, eight tackles, five clearances and six rebound 50s) also stood up in defeat.