COLLINGWOOD is through to the 2025 VFL Women’s Grand Final after defeating Box Hill Hawks by 25 points at ETU Stadium on the weekend. In the major semi-final, the Magpies backed up their qualifying final win over North Melbourne with a comprehensive defensive performance against Box Hill to salute, 6.5 (41) to 2.4 (16).

The Magpies overcame a tight tussle in the first term to boot the only five goals of the first three quarters and lead by 33 points to the last change. Unlike the week before where Amelia Peck did all the damage with four goals, the black and whites shared the majors around, and by the end of the game had six individual goalkickers.

Box Hill had a sniff early in the fourth term, but despite majors to Mikayla Lee and Jessica Matin, were never really able to work back into the contest. In a fierce scrap which saw a total of 148 tackles laid (75-73 in favour of the Magpies), Collingwood overcame both a negative clearance (24-30) and inside 50 (33-37) differential as the Magpies defenders repelled time and time again.

Ex-Swan Jaide Anthony had a game-high five rebound 50s in the win, though it was the terrific work of ruck duo Mackenzie Bourne and Erin McKinnon who worked hard behind the ball to clear. Defender Kasey Lennox (12 disposals, five marks and three rebound 50s) was also strong as an intercepting force, being one of 12 players to collect multiple rebound 50s.

Skipper Dominique Carbone lead from the front all day, and even when Box Hill was challenging midway through the fourth quarter, stepped up to kick an answering goal a minute after the Hawks had kicked their second, to seal the game. She finished with 26 touches, three marks, four tackles, two clearances and three inside 50s.

The Magpies had plenty of contributors though, with Lauren Szigeti (21 disposals, three marks, four tackles, four clearances and four inside 50s) tough around the ball, and Tahlia Sanger (20 disposals, four marks, five tackles, three inside 50s, two rebound 50s and a goal) providing plenty of run. The highlight was a brilliant goal from Courtney Jones, while over-ager Lilly Leighton and recent AFLW addition Lily-Rose Williamson brought the heat.

For the Hawks, it was the usual suspects through midfield who got on top and forced the ball forward with ex-Saint Rosie Dillon (19 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances) and Isla Baldwin (19 disposals, five tackles, two clearances and three rebound 50s) leading the disposal counts. Stasia Stevenson (16 disposals, 11 tackles and four clearances) was fantastic defensively, while Matilda Van Berkel (13 disposals, six marks, six tackles, four inside 50s and two rebound 50s) and Nat Exon (14 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances and six inside 50s) were vital.

Collingwood now gets a well-earned week’s break to prepare for yet another VFL Women’s Grand Final, taking on the winner of Box Hill and North Melbourne-Werribee in the decider with that preliminary final taking place this weekend.

COLLINGWOOD 1.2 | 3.3 | 5.5 | 6.5 (41)
BOX HILL 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 2.4 (16)

GOALS:
Collingwood: D. Carbone, B. Clarke, S. Courtney, C. Jones, A. Peck, T. Sanger
Box Hill: M. Lee, J. Matin

RMC BEST:
Collingwood: C. Jones, D. Carbone, T. Sanger, L. Szigeti, J. Anthony
Box Hill: I. Baldwin, S. Stevenson, R. Dillon, M. Van Berkel, N. Exon

AROUND THE GROUNDS

North Melbourne-Werribee 4.17 (41) def. Williamstown 2.5 (17)

An inaccurate North Melbourne-Werribee dominated the forward half possession en route to a four-goal victory at Arden Street Oval yesterday. The Roos kicked 3.10 (28) in the first half, but completely shut out Williamstown’s offence as the Seagulls headed into the main break scoreless. Though the inaccuracy could have proved costly – and did not stop with a 1.7 (13) second half – the Roos proved far too good.

The minor premiers had 21 scoring shots to seven, and by the time Williamstown kicked their first though Georgia Howes at the 14-minute mark of the third term, North Melbourne-Werribee immediately responded with a Renee Tierney major. That snuffed out any hope of a late comeback and the Roos were able to hold off a gallant Williamstown by continuing to pepper the goals.

Tierney (17 disposals, nine marks, eight tackles, four inside 50s and a goal) was enormous in the air, while Maddie Di Cosmo (17 disposals, five marks, three tackles, three clearances, three inside 50s and a goal) and Alana Barba (17 disposals, four marks, eight tackles, five clearances and six inside 50s) wtood up amongst a great team effort.

For the Seagulls, Jemima Wrigley spent the day essentially clearing from defence with a remarkable 16 rebound 50s from 17 disposals, while Howes (11 disposals, five marks, 12 hitouts, two clearances and three inside 50s) and Cat O’Bryan (14 disposals, two marks, three tackles, 10 hitouts, six clearances and two inside 50s) battled hard through the ruck.