THERE were some close encounters in round four of the Victorian Football League (VFL) Women’s, as teams begin to find their form. The round also saw many TAC Cup Girls players make their VFLW debut, with many more debuts to come. AFL Draft Central wraps up all the action from the weekend.

Melbourne University 3.1 (19) defeated by NT Thunder 13.10 (88)

By: Taylah Melki

The NT Thunder dominated from start to finish, applying plenty of pressure on Melbourne University. The Thunder lead at all the breaks and did not seem to take their foot off the pedal, sharing the goal-kicking duties between them and continuing their undefeated start to the season. Melbourne University struggled to combat the intense pressure and slick ball movement of the Thunder but had some moments of brilliance.

Marijana Rajcic starred for NT, slotting two majors for the game and racking up plenty of touches while Jordann Hickey bagged three goals to help the Thunder on their way. Chelsea Randall was at her devastating best, closely followed by the likes of teammates, Angela Foley, who was the leading disposal-getter with 24 possessions, Sarah Allan and Machaelia Roberts, who gathered plenty of touches and imposed themselves on the contest. 

Ashleigh Riddell opened the account for Melbourne University, slotting an important goal and continuing her accumulative ways, gathering plenty of touches, Sophie Abbatangelo also bagged a major for Melbourne University in the opening term. In her debut game at VFLW level Calder Cannons captain, Madison Prespakis impressed, gathering 23 touches and imposing herself around the ground laying five tackles, proving why she is a future star of the game.

Darebin Falcons 11.7 (73) def. Casey Demons 1.3 (9)

By: Taylah Melki

It was a tight tussle but a third-quarter spark proved to be the difference between the two sides. The Darebin Falcons kept Casey to one goal for the game and applied plenty of scoreboard pressure after half time, going on to score nine majors. The Falcons seemed to outclass Casey, who struggled to keep up with the intensity and fast pace of the game.

The Falcons forward line came out firing after half time, with the likes of Hannah Mouncey and Maddy Guerin standing up for Darebin. Mouncey provided a strong option up forward taking plenty of good strong contested marks and leading up at the footy. Mouncey’s afternoon was topped off with five goals while teammate, Guerin bagged an impressive three goals. Eloise Gardner was never far from the action either with two goals while Karen Paxman and Nat Exon gathered plenty of touches and showcased their footy smarts in tricky situations.

Casey was ravaged with injuries in the last term but the likes of Kate Hore and Taryn Orgill were influential across the ground. Kasey Guttridge was the sole goal-kicker for the Demons while sister Darcy Guttridge imposed herself across the ground, racking up 17 touches and laying a big tackle. Making her debut appearance, Dandenong Stingrays captain, Jordyn Allen left her imprint on the game, taking four marks and racking up the disposals. Harriet Cordner was also an important player for Casey, amassing 13 touches and a whopping seven tackles in a difficult outing for her side.

Western Bulldogs 4.6 (30) defeated by Collingwood 6.2 (38)

By: Julia Montesano

Collingwood survived a fourth-quarter Bulldogs comeback to record its third VFLW win. The Bulldogs’ inaccuracy hurt them early, with only five points to half time.

Oakleigh Chargers forward, Daisy Bateman starred on the day, kicking three of the the Pies’ six goals. Teammate and Chargers captain, Hannah McLaren also put in a formidable performance, contributing six disposals and four tackles to be named in the best. AFLW star, Jaimee Lambert continued her fine form, this time against some former Bulldogs teammates. Lambert chipped in with a goal and racked up 19 touches. Vaomua Laloifi was named best-on-ground by her coaches, after clunking seven marks and amassing 13 disposals in defence.

Experienced campaigner and former Pie, Bree White was the leading disposal-getter on the ground with 21 touches next to her name to go along with five tackles. Bulldogs AFLW defender, Libby Birch was not too far off from White, as she racked up 20 disposals and six tackles in her first VFLW game. Nicole McMahon was awarded best-on-ground by her coaches with nine disposals, two marks and three tackles. Emma Mackay was also named amongst the best with one goal, 12 disposals and four tackles.

Geelong 8.3 (51) defeated Carlton 7.2 (44)

By: Julia Montesano

The scores were all-square at quarter time and three-quarter time in a seesawing contest. But Geelong’s three goals to two last quarter sealed the deal in the curtain-raiser at GMHBA Stadium.

Maddy McMahon starred for the Cats with 22 disposals, four marks and five tackles. She was complemented by explosive midfielder, Renee Garing, who continues to set the competition alight. Garing amassed 20 disposals and laid a whopping 12 tackles. Michelle Fedele was a wonderful presence up forward for the Cats with three goals, while fellow forward, Danielle Orr chipped in with a goal and 15 disposals. Mia-Rae Clifford also floated up forward to boot through a goal to go along with her 16 disposals.

For the Blues, it’s hard to look past AFLW forward, Darcy Vescio. Vescio kicked four of the Blues’ seven goals and amassed 11 disposals to go with it. Gippsland Power co-captain and AFLW Academy member, Tyla Hanks was the leading disposal-getter for Carlton in an outstanding VFLW debut. Hanks racked up 20 disposals, kicked a goal, and laid five tackles. Rugby 7s Olympic medalist, Chloe Dalton also pitched in with a goal to earn a spot amongst Carlton’s best. Recently announced captain, Kristi Harvey also had a solid outing with nine disposals and five marks.

Southern Saints 9.6 (60) defeated Essendon 3.6 (24)

By: Julia Montesano

The Southern Saints continued their great run of form with a commanding win over the Bombers. The Saints were down at quarter time but fought back immediately with a four-goal second quarter, which was the catalyst for a forward surge that the Bombers couldn’t combat.

Captain, Georgia Walker was named best-on-ground for the Saints and was complemented by Kate Macqueen, who backed up her solid round three performance. Sandringham Dragons star, Eleanor Brown played a great game, chipping in a goal and being named amongst the best. Fellow TAC Cup Girls talent and Eastern Ranges midfielder, Gabriella De Angelis also got on the scoreboard with a goal. She was one of the Saints’ eight goal-scorers.

Essendon’s defence stood up again with Courtney Ugle, Hayley Bullas and Kirby Hicks named amongst the best. Up forward, it was Alex Quigley who provided the shining light for the Bombers, kicking two of her side’s three goals. Simone Nalder also backed up her best-on-ground performance in round three by making her second consecutive appearance in the best for the Bombers.

Williamstown 8.4 (52) def. Richmond 3.3 (21)

By: Taylah Melki 

After a disappointing start to the season both teams brought their A-game, fighting hard to win the footy at the cold face but in the end it was Williamstown that came away with the four points, claiming their first win of the season. Williamstown put on a strong performance but really ran away with it in the final term.

In her first VFLW outing Greater Western Victoria (GWV) forward, Sophie Van De Heuvel impressed for Williamstown, competing hard at the contest, while experienced players such as Jasmine Garner and Jess Duffin stood up at the stoppages. Both Garner and Duffin bagged a goal each in the convincing win over Richmond. Georgia Harris also found her kicking boots, scoring two goals. Teammate, Morgan Lowe was also influential across the ground, applying plenty of physical pressure on her opponents and racking up the touches for Williamstown.

For Richmond, Lauren Tesoriero provided a lot of run and carry for Richmond and slotted two goals for the yellow and black. Emily Findlay also had an impressive game, imposing herself around the contest in what was a disappointing outing for the Tigers. The likes of Evelyn Burry and Lisa Davie worked tirelessly all game to try and create some moments of magic for their teammates and gathered plenty of touches for their hard work