AN INCREDIBLE penultimate round of VFL Women’s action had a significant impact on the race for the last spot inside the top six. Five sides are now locked in with a round to play, but after Round 13, three teams are fighting it out for sixth.

Essendon jumped into the box seat with a five-point win over Sandringham Zebras, while Darebin Falcons remained hot on the Bombers’ heels after defeating Carlton by 21 points. Those results made Port Melbourne’s loss to the Western Bulldogs by a point even worse, seeing the Borough slip to eighth on the table, two points outside the top six.

In other results, North Melbourne Werribee’s crushing season rolled on with a 64-point belting of Casey Demons, while Collingwood moved up to second after defeating Geelong, and Box Hill Hawks went down to Williamstown. The latter result guaranteed the Seagulls a finals birth.

ROUND 13 SCORES

Darebin Falcons 5.6 (36) def. Carlton 2.3 (15)
Essendon 3.1 (19) def. Sandringham Zebras 2.2 (14)
Geelong 3.3 (21) def. by Collingwood 9.2 (56)
Port Melbourne 3.4 (22) def. by Western Bulldogs 3.5 (23)
Casey Demons 3.2 (20) def. by North Melbourne Werribee 12.12 (84)
Williamstown 5.5 (35) def. Box Hill Hawks 3.9 (27)

DRAFT PROSPECTS

Williamstown and Box Hill had several AFLW Draft prospects impressing as defenders Matilda Van Berkel (21 disposals, five marks, six tackles and seven rebound 50s) and Jemima Wrigley (17 disposals, two marks, five tackles, three inside 50s and 10 rebound 50s) both put up big numbers. Hawks’ Isla Baldwin (15 disposals, nine tackles and four clearances) was busy on the inside, as defender Annabelle Embelton (15 disposals, six marks and seven rebound 50s) worked well in tandem with Van Berkel.

Sandringham Zebras’ Abbey Tregellis produced another huge game with 27 touches, three marks, eight clearances, 12 tackles and four inside 50s. Ex-Devils utility Lucy Thompson (20 disposals, four clearances and three inside 50s) was important for the Bombers. At the Bulldogs, Jaimi Tabb (17 disposals, three marks, six tackles, seven clearances and eight inside 50s) held her own in AFLW company.

Collingwood young gun Tahlia Sanger and fellow over-ager Geelong counterpart Mekah Morrissy both impressed when they went head-to-head. Charlotte Brewer provided some important run and carry for the Magpies, while Hayley Peck was impressive in the ruck. For the Roos, Alana Barba, Reese Sutton and Madeline Di Cosmo combined for 25 clearances and 25 tackles. Forward Nyakoat Dojiok slotted four goals from 18 touches and four marks.

ROUND 14 FIXTURE

Friday, August 1:

Carlton vs. Box Hill Hawks @ Ikon Park, 6:35pm
Western Bulldogs vs. Essendon @ Whitten Oval, 6:35pm

Saturday, August 2:

Williamstown vs. Collingwood @ DSV Stadium, 9:35am
Port Melbourne vs. Casey Demons @ 9:35am

Sunday, August 3:

Sandringham Zebras vs. North Melbourne Werribee @ Trevor Barker Oval, 9:15am
Geelong vs. Darebin Falcons @ KFC Oval, 12:35pm