ROUND 3 of the VFL Women’s is a true bonanza in every sense of the word. All the matches are taking place tomorrow, and there is an extra match with the start of GWS and Sydney’s brief involvement in the competition.

North Melbourne vs Casey
11am
Arden St Oval

These two sides could not be having more different starts to the year.

North Melbourne are one of the teams to beat thus far this season, and have only made one change this week, bringing in Annabel Scott for the injured Jennifer Guy.

Casey meanwhile need to make better use of its chances if it wants to pick up its first win of 2024, and have made five changes this week. It gains some AFLW listed help in the likes of Sarah Lampard and Ryleigh Wotherspoon, but they come in for some key players including Olivia Morris and Sarah D’Arcy.

Southern Saints vs Geelong
11am
Trevor Barker Oval

These two have also had very contrasting starts to the year. The Saints are still comfortably undefeated, while Geelong will be desperately hoping one of its longest trips of the year can result in its first win of 2024.

Darcy Guttridge headlines four inclusions for the Saints this week, but Deanna Jolliffe is one of their outs.

Meanwhile for the Cats young Coates Talent League star Chloe Bryant is one of three inclusions, but one of the outs is Johanna Sunderland who was one of Geelong’s best last week but has been selected to play in the Under 23 All Stars side.

Darebin vs Essendon
11:05am
The Hangar

This match might be the one to watch this week, with its result perhaps far from a foregone conclusion.

Despite not getting the chocolates last week the Falcons are starting to build and things are starting to click, while Essendon butchered a really strong start to come away with a draw last week.

Darebin has some big inclusions this week in Victoria Blackwood and Monique DeMatteo, while Marnie Robinson and Ava Jordan are two big outs for the Bombers.

Box Hill vs Collingwood
12:05pm
Box Hill City Oval

Box Hill have been flying so far this season, but this week brings a real test. Emily Bates, Eliza West and Lucy Wales have been the real core of their success so far this season, but none of them are playing this week so the Hawks will now have to show if they really are one of the sides to beat this season. They have brought in some younger AFLW talent which will help, but filling the void of those three will be difficult.

Collingwood meanwhile will be looking for a big response this week after a poor outing last week. Rebecca Grant is one of the inclusions this week, but it also has some big outs, including injured pair Carly Remmos and Kasey Lennox.

Western Bulldogs vs Sydney
1pm
Whitten Oval

The Swans make history this weekend by venturing into the VFLW scape for the first time. Much of their side for this weekend is AFLW listed, but there are some non AFLW listed players, including Senna Gulden.

The Bulldogs for their part are coming off an impressive performance last week, and have only made the one change to their side for this week, bringing back Chloe Leonard.  

Carlton vs GWS
2pm
Ikon Park

Five years after their last appearance in the competition the GWS Giants are back, and this week take on an in-form Carlton side.

Many of GWS’ AFLW stars will be making the trek south this weekend, but they have included several non AFLW listed players, including former Southern Saint Grace Buchan and academy member Sophia de Castella.

Carlton meanwhile did record the loss last week but has still had a pretty strong start to the season. It has made five changes this week, headlined by the return of Gena Lawson-Tavan and Marianna Anthony.

Williamstown vs Port Melbourne
2:05pm
DSV Stadium

This one could also be one of the clashes of the round. Williamstown has had a strong start to the year and pulled off an impressive comeback for the draw last week, but it has a tough challenge this week coming up against the very in-form Port Melbourne.

Mikayla Plunkett is one of two ins this week for the Seagulls, while Eilish Sheerin is a massive in for the Borough.