CLASSY Box Hill midfielder Isla Baldwin delivered a composed and hard-working performance in her side’s commanding win over Casey in Round 3 of the VFLW. Baldwin stood out with her sharp positioning, tireless running, and composure under pressure, showing a real maturity to her game.

>> Three Players, One Dream: Isla Baldwin

Her ability to find space and support her teammates in key moments helped Box Hill control the midfield and generate attacking momentum. Finishing her game with 25 disposals, four marks, five tackles, six inside 50s, and her first VFLW goal, Baldwin was constantly involving herself in key passages and providing a clean link between defence and attack. Her performance and game sense earned her this week’s Player Focus.

Having only turned 19 in December last year, Baldwin is still very young and already carving up a fine junior career, having battled with some injuries over the journey but is now gaining continuity in her performances. The teenager is coming off an equal second in Carlton’s best and fairest last season and now has made her home in the brown and gold.

ISLA BALDWIN PROFILE

DOB: 22/12/2005
Height: 162cm
Position: Midfielder
Strengths: Work rate, positioning, link-up play, pressure acts, composure
Improvements: Speed

PLAYER FOCUS:

2025 VFLW – Round 3:
Box Hill 11.9 (75) def. Casey Demons 3.7 (25)

#22 Isla Baldwin (Box Hill)
Stats: 25 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal, 4 score involvements

FIRST QUARTER

From the outset, Baldwin brought strong pressure and intensity around the contest. She threw herself into the play early, showing a willingness to compete physically at stoppages and cover ground, whether in attack or defence. Her awareness and positioning were key assets to Box Hill as she consistently presented as a safe option for teammates and made herself available in link-up play.

A standout moment for her came at the end of the first quarter when Baldwin pushed forward with a strong supporting run and took a mark under pressure. From there, she calmly converted the set shot for her first VFLW goal. Her involvement didn’t stop there as her first term was defined by hard chasing, important tackles, and reliable hands when gathering the ball in congestion. Her clean mark and effective disposals under pressure highlighted her footy IQ and poise.

By the end of the first quarter, Baldwin had already made her presence felt with multiple disposals, pressure acts, and her first major, laying the foundation for her brilliant four-quarter display.

SECOND QUARTER

Baldwin’s performance continued into the second quarter, staying active around the ball and constantly positioning herself smartly on the outside of contests. She provided crucial support through clever running both offensively and defensively, and while not always the first touch, her ability to link up chains of possession was pivotal in Box Hill’s overall structure.

Her pressure inside forward 50 was impressive, forcing hurried disposals and contributing to the Hawks’ attacking momentum. A strong tackle in the back half and several clean handball chains, including a smooth link-up in the second term, showed her ability to make quick decisions under pressure.

Even when she wasn’t directly involved in the play, Baldwin remained alert, regularly finding herself in the right pockets of space to either receive the ball or apply pressure. Her mark under pressure in the final minute of the first half, followed by a composed kick forward, capped off another steady quarter for her.

THIRD QUARTER

The third quarter saw Baldwin step up again for her team, with a blend of physicality and footy smarts. She began to accumulate more of the ball around the contest, often collecting loose balls and quickly dishing them to teammates in better positions. Her tracking back and tackling pressure in the defensive half proved critical to halting several Casey advances.

Her most influential moment of the quarter came at the 11-minute mark when she received a handball in traffic and then executed the perfect handball over her opponent, kept running on the overlap, received it back, and delivered a calm kick towards half forward that set up a scoring play. It was the perfect illustration of her ability to link up play through the field and influence transition play effectively.

Even in tough moments, like receiving poor passes or being on the defensive for a large portion of the quarter, Baldwin recovered well and always seemed to find a way to move the ball play on. Her repeated efforts and smart decision making stood out, particularly as the game opened up.

FOURTH QUARTER

Baldwin did not waste any time reasserting her influence in the final quarter. Her chase-down efforts and pressure acts helped her side maintain control late in the game. Halfway through the quarter she laid a strong tackle, followed up the play, and smartly found a teammate with a short easy kick to retain possession.

Positioning herself well at the top of the arc shortly after, she delivered a kick inside 50 that led directly to a scoring opportunity. Baldwin’s running capacity remained strong late, and she continued to provide options for teammates by pushing forward into space.

Her support work in the dying stages of the game, both in contest and on the spread, demonstrated her fitness and commitment. Even without scoreboard impact in the last, Baldwin’s defensive pressure and attacking link-up remained critical to Box Hill’s control.

FINAL THOUGHTS…

Isla Baldwin delivered a polished and hard-working performance in Box Hill’s win over Casey, showcasing her two-way running, smart positioning, and ability to link up the play across all four quarters. Whether she was winning the ball herself or acting as the crucial middle link in the Hawks’ chains of play, she consistently made good decisions and executed well under pressure.

Her first VFLW goal was of course a highlight, but it was her consistent pressure acts, smart use of space, and clean hands that underpinned her impact in Round 3. Baldwin’s ability to appear in the right places, stay composed in the contest, and provide repeat efforts made her a reliable asset in the midfield and a young player with plenty of upside.