THE TWO best sides have reached the VFL Women’s Grand Final, with a rematch of the earlier qualifying final three weeks ago. On that day, Collingwood took home the chocolates, but it is a whole new ball game now with North Melbourne-Werribee eyeing off back-to-back flags, while the Magpies also search for the second in VFLW history.

DETAILS

Venue: ETU Stadium
Date: Saturday, August 30
Time: 3:15pm

LAST TIME

Qualifying Final: North Melbourne-Werribee 4.8 (32) def. Collingwood 7.3 (45)

Just three weeks ago Collingwood caused an upset over North Melbourne-Werribee to skip to the grand final just a game later thanks to a 13-point victory over the Roos. The Magpies only kicked one goal in the second half, but their 25-point lead at half-time was enough to see them home. Tahlia Sanger was prolific for the Magpies, while Amelia Peck‘s four goals were the difference. Alana Barba was the Roos’ best in defeat

TEAMS

Collingwood:

B: T. Henry (58) A. Peck (50)
HB: T. Fellows (73) D. Carbone (45) A. Muir (56)
C: J.Anthony (68) T.Christensen (77) C. Jones (53)
HF: E. McKinnon (43) L.Szigeti (63) C. Matthews (64)
F: L.Leighton (71) Z.McCurdy (70)
R: B. Clarke (55) M.Ellin (39) J. Ramsdale (51)
INT: K. Lennox (47) J.Ivey (33) T.Sanger (62) S.Courtney (66) M. Bourne (75)  

North Melbourne-Werribee:

B: B. Deed (15) – J. Douglas (13)
HB: A. Ling (24) – S. Reid (6) – M. Zander (10)
C: C. Ryan (5) – A. Barba (11) – C. Ugle (1)
HF: M. Clifford (47) – Z. Savarirayan (35) – N. Dojiok (40)
F: Z. Flanigan (16) – R. Tierney (23)
R: K. Reynolds (44) – R. Sutton (4) – M. Di Cosmo (12)
INT: T. Ortlepp (34) -T. Meier (2) – C. Blair (26) – G. Nicholas (9) – S. Ingram (21)

CHANGES

Just one change has been made for the big day between the two sides with Collingwood’s Lily-Rose Williamson missing due to her new AFLW commitments, out of the side with Jordan Ivey making her return to the Magpies’ lineup. The Roos have gone in unchanged.

ANALYSIS

Collingwood comes into the match with wins in both of its clashes against North Melbourne-Werribee. The Magpies have a well-balanced unit with the emergence of Sanger a massive boost along side the likes of skipper Dominique Carbone and players such as Tahlia Fellows and Erin McKinnon with quality AFLW experience. Courtney Jones and Peck are dangerous forward options for the black and white as well.

For the Roos, the midfield strength of Barba and Maddie Di Cosmo has been a key feature, while leading goalkicker Nyakoat Dojiok is always a handful. Alongside fellow ex-Pies Matilda Zander and Charlotte Blair, the Roo have key ball-winners who can impact forward of centre, with Tahlia Meier and Renee Tierney among them.

PREDICTION

North Melbourne-Werribee has been the best side all year, and Collingwood’s luck in grand finals – since winning it back in 2019, has not been great. In saying that, the Pies have had their measure in 2025, so that has to count for something. Expect a tight contest, we’ll go Roos by two points.