WILLIAMSTOWN has justified its top seeded billing by taking out the minor premiership with a win over title contenders Collingwood. For the second time in the last month of the season, Williamstown has smashed a reigning grand finalist, knocking off the Pies by 37 points at DSV Stadium. The victory came after a stunning thrashing of back-to-back premiers North Melbourne Werribee, with the Roost securing the double chance in the last round as well.

The first half ultimately separated the sides with Williamstown piling on nine scoring shots to one, and racing out to a 6.3 (39) to 0.1 (1) lead at half-time. That was always going to be enough given the conditions which the Seagulls were far more accustomed to by the bay, and while it was an even second half – Collingwood kicked 3.3 to Williamstown’s 3.2 – the damage was done and the Seagulls won, 9.5 (59) to 3.4 (22).

Williamstown dominated the inside 50s count with 40 to 22, having narrowly won the clearances (26-23). Collingwood took 48 marks to 42 and laid one more tackle (69-68), but ultimately could not get any meaningful time forward of centre leading to the lopsided result. The victory sees Williamstown take on the Kangaroos in the qualifying final, while Collingwood takes on the sixth placed Western Bulldogs in a do-or-die elimination final.

Mia Zielinski slammed home four goals for the Seagulls in the win to accompany her 13 disposals and three marks, while Neve Crowley booted two goals from 10 disposals and six marks. Ellen Williams (23 disposals, three marks, four inside 50s and six rebound 50s) and Taelah Smith (23 disposals, five marks, six inside 50s and a goal) were the top ball-winners, while the usual suspects in Bella Smith (21 disposals, three marks, five tackles, five clearances and four inside 50s) and Emily Eaves (20 disposals, eight clearances and a goal) were enormous in the win.

For the Magpies, Abbey Tregellis and Millie Lang both recorded game-high disposals with 24, as well as five rebound 50s apiece. They were well supported by fellow youngsters Tahlia Sanger (20 disposals, four marks, seven tackles and five clearances) and Lily Jordan (16 disposals, three marks, six tackles and four rebound 50s).

AROUND THE GROUNDS

North Melbourne was deadly accurate in its five-goal victory over Box Hill at Arden Street Oval, with the Kangaroos running out 11.2 (68) to 5.8 (38) victors. Alana Barba had a day out for the Roos collecting 31 disposals, six clearances, 10 tackles and a goal, going head-to-head with fellow ex-AFLW player Kayley Kavanagh who recorded 33 disposals, eight tackles, nine clearances and a goal. Zoe Savarirayan (four goals), Ava Seton (two) and Nyakoat Dojiok (two) all all converted multiple majors.

The match of the round was Darebin Falcons and Essendon’s 4.8 (32) apiece draw at Preston City Oval on Saturday. The Falcons lead by nine points midway through the fourth before the Bombers hit back and tied in the 19th minute thanks to an El Chaston goal. Isabella Daddo (22 disposals, five marks, eight tackles, five clearances, five inside 50s and three rebound 50s) was instrumental in the draw, while Caley Ryan and Caitlin Bunker also impressed. Chaston had 17 disposals and eight marks to go with her goal, while Bess Keaney had an equal game-high 22 disposals, as well as five marks and five tackles.

Western Bulldogs capped off their regular season with an impressive 23-point win over Tasmania Devils at Windsor Park, closing the door on the Devils’ inaugural year in the VFL Women’s competition. The Dogs trailed at quarter time, but booted four goals to nil in the second term, and while challenged into the breeze during the third, finished off strongly to come away with the 10.5 (65) to 6.6 (42) result. Ellie Gavalas (26 disposals, nine tackles and two goals) was huge, while Jemima Wrigley (25 disposals, three inside 50s and four rebound 50) and Eleanor Bishop (25 disposals, four marks, six tackles, three clearances and four inside 50s) also contributed strongly. Perri King (24 disposals, nine tackles, seven clearances and seven rebound 50s) was the best from the home side.

Geelong might have missed finals, but the Cats’ much improved 2026 season saw the blue and white hoops score a last round victory by defeating Port Melbourne. The Cats won in a thriller, 5.8 (38) to 5.4 (34) in what was an armwrestle throughout until Nikita Harris booted the match-winner in the 16th minute of the fourth term. AFLW-listed Cat Renee Morgan was enormous in the middle, finishing with 24 disposals, 10 tackles and 13 clearances, while Borough’s Mia Caffry was phenomenal in close, notching up a game-high 13 clearances to go with 22 touches and five tackles.

Closing out the regular season with a dominant 12.8 (80) to 5.4 (34) victory to Sandringham Zebras over Casey Demons. In a battle of two bottom three sides, the Zebras showed they were a cut above, leapfrogging Box Hill in the process and moving up to boast the best percentage in the bottom seven. Casey’s disappointing year ends with a 1-13 record and the wooden spoon. Sandringham’s six goals to zip in the first term set the scene and they never looked back from there, as Dragons-listed debutant Grace Perrett did her draft chances no harm, racking up 28 disposals, eight tackles and seven clearances in the win, working well alongside Indi Sherritt (25 disposals, five tackles, seven clearances and a goal). Tylah Burn (22 disposals, 14 tackles and six clearances) tried hard for Casey.