NORTH Melbourne Werribee turned it on for the latter of its names with a dominant 88-point thrashing of winless Geelong at Avalon Airport Oval in Round 8 of the VFL Women’s. After a week off over the Kings Birthday long weekend, the action returned and just eight points separates first from ninth who are the only realistic chances for finals already.

ROUND 8 RESULTS

Western Bulldogs 5.3 (33) def. Port Melbourne 3.5 (23)
Casey Demons 3.5 (23) def. by Williamstown 6.4 (40)
Collingwood 7.5 (47) def. Essendon 6.3 (39)
Box Hill Hawks 6.7 (43) def. Darebin Falcons 1.5 (11)
North Melbourne Werribee 17.8 (110) def. Geelong 3.4 (22)
Sandringham Zebras 6.7 (43) def. Carlton 2.3 (15)

SUMMARY

An eight-point win to the Magpies over the Bombers saw Collingwood enter the top six and join Essendon on five wins, just two points off Sandringham Zebras. The Zebras accounted for the struggling Carlton, with Box Hill and Williamstown accounting for Darebin Falcons and Casey Demons respectively seeing them keep touch with North Melbourne Werribee. In the other match, Western Bulldogs knocked off Port Melbourne with the Borough and Bombers losing to the two sides outside the top six in what was a weekend of top six sides against the bottom six.

UP THE GRADES

GWV Rebels’ Isabella Davies finished with 14 disposals,, six tackles, two clearances and two inside 50s for the Dogs, working hard alongside fellow over-age Rebel Brook Ward (seven disposals, two rebound 50s).

Dandenong Stingrays’ Tahlia Sanger continues to star for the Magpies at VFLW level, recording another 21 disposals alongside 10 tackles, four clearances and two inside 50s during Collingwood’s victory over the Bombers. Gippsland Power’s Lilly Leighton (13 disposals, three marks, five tackles, three clearances, two inside 50s and a goal) and Oakleigh Chargers’ Amelie Gladman (10 disposals, three marks and three tackles) also contributed well.

Another over-ager in Geelong Falcons’ Chloe Bryant helped herself to 10 disposals, three clearances, two inside 50s and three rebound 50s in a hard-working effort against the dominant Kangaroos. Also stepping up in a loss were Northern Knights pair Kira Lemire and Mary Robinson who both represented Carlton.

Sandringham Dragons’ Ash Patton (19 disposals, two marks, three tackles, three clearances, five inside 50s and two rebound 50s) was busy, with Giants Academy over-age ruck and cross-coder Yasmeen Janschek (nine disposals, 24 hitouts) and Dandenong forward Makhaela Bluhm (five disposals, two tackles and a goal) all fronting up for the Zebras.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

Nyakoat Dojiok (North Melbourne Werribee)
Stats: 14 disposals, 7 marks, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 7 goals

The performance of the weekend, Dojiok put Geelong to the sword with seven majors and continues to push the question with AFL Women’s clubs. The former National Academy member via the GWV Rebels and then Collingwood VFLW has the explosive pace and aerial ability to be a huge threat in front of the big sticks and has been for a while.

Emily Eaves (Williamstown)
Stats: 17 disposals, 9 tackles, 7 clearances, 2 inside 50s

It is hard to knock the contested ball-winning midfielder’s form and she is a readymade player with a few tricks up her sleeve. While able to crash and bash her way around the contest, Eaves has nice smarts and very clean hands which enables her to get first touch on the ball out of the stoppage.

Stasia Stevenson (Box Hill)
Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 11 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Box Hill has a stack of draftable prospects, though Stevenson looks the most well-balanced given her elite athletic traits that combine with her natural footballing nous. She has not put a foot wrong this season and was enormous defensively in the win over Darebin. Has plenty of upside too.

Hayley Peck (Geelong)
Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 23 hitouts, 10 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Peck was around the mark in her draft year and over-age season, and she remains a potential tall option for the crucial readymade ruck stocks clubs are desperate for at the elite level. She can win hitouts, but covers the ground exceptionally well to put up midfielder-like numbers. Worked hard defensively.

Abbey Tregellis (Sandringham Zebras)
Stats: 21 disposals, 7 tackles, 6 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The former Stingrays tall has really come to life this season and is starring as a big-bodied inside midfielder. Capable of playing on all three lines, Tregellis is a player with potential to fill out a number of roles for any side and is enjoying a big year for the Zebras through the middle and winning the contested ball.

Amy Trindade (Carlton)
Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 8 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

It was another big performance from the standout midfielder who has been a star all year long. She is finding the consistency and ball-winning ability that she lacked as a junior, and is living up to the potential she showed late in her top-age season. Has had AFLW interest in the past, so watch this space.

ROUND 9 FIXTURES:

Saturday, June 21:

Williamstown vs. Essendon @ DSV Stadium, 10:05am
Port Melbourne vs. Collingwood @ ETU Stadium, 11:05am
Casey Demons vs. Box Hill Hawks @ Casey Fields, 12:05pm
North Melbourne Werribee vs. Darebin Falcons @ Arden Street, 12:05pm
Western Bulldogs vs. Sandringham Dragons @ Whitten Oval, 1:05pm

Sunday, June 22:

Carlton vs. Geelong @ Ikon Park, 11:05am