THE VFLW returned for season 2024 over the weekend, with plenty of action and telling results across the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Southern Saints were the first winners of the season on Friday night, accounting for an inaccurate Collingwood. In a match that started out scrappy, it was ultimately a clash of who could make the most of their chances, which in the end was the Saints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chloe Hunt<\/a> had a debut to remember kicking two majors for the Saints, while Georgia Ricardo<\/a> was really influential against her old side. Meanwhile for Collingwood, skipper Megan Ryan<\/a> tried to rally her troops but it was not enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Port Melbourne got their premiership defence off to a positive start with a big win over Essendon. The Borough got off to a surprisingly slow start, but eventually did get going and went on to keep the Bombers goalless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Borough spread around the goal kickers, with debutants Ava Seton<\/a> and Madeleine Patterson<\/strong> both impressing. Meanwhile for the Bombers fellow debutants Ruby Mahony<\/a> and Marnie Robinson<\/a> were impressive in the tough first up clash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Carlton also got a big win, defeating Geelong by five goals. Geelong took a narrow lead early, before Carlton came back and ultimately kicked away from the Cats and restricting them to one goal for the second half. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A couple of Carlton’s leaders in Eliza Wood<\/a> and Sophia McCarthy<\/a> really stood up in the win, while despite the loss, Abbey McDonald<\/a> and Abby Favell<\/a> were both ball magnets for the Cats, picking up 35 and 26 touches respectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n North ran out comfortable winners over the Bulldogs, winning to the tune of 22 points. In a high scoring affair, a slow start really cost the Bulldogs in the end, who were unable to make up the deficit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jennifer Guy<\/a> and Madeleine Di Cosmo<\/a> were both strong drivers out of the middle for the Roos, while for the Bulldogs Renee Saulitis<\/a> saw plenty of the ball and made quite an influence with it on the scoreboard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Williamstown was the second biggest winner of the round, defeating Darebin by 76 points. It was a pretty even start from both sides, but the Seagulls kicked away in the second term and ultimately never looked back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Molly Simpson<\/a> was a star in front of goal for the Seagulls, while her skipper Eliza Straford<\/a> also had plenty of influence in front of goal. Meanwhile for the Falcons it was their leaders – including the likes of Angelica Gogos<\/a> and Caitlin Bunker<\/a> – who again really stood up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Box Hill was the biggest winner of the round though, accounting for Casey to the tune of 108 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Benefitting from a host of AFLW listed players – including ball magnets Jasmine Fleming<\/a> and Emily Bates<\/a> – the Hawks ran rings around the Dees, who, despite the best efforts of the likes of Melanie Hogg<\/a> and Lauren Jatczak<\/a> were no match for their visitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mietta Kendall<\/a> (Box Hill) \u2013 five goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Molly Simpson<\/a> (Williamstown) \u2013 four goals<\/p>\n\n\n\nEssendon (0.7.7) lost to Port Melbourne (9.0.54)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Geelong (4.4.28) lost to Carlton (9.5.59)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Western Bulldogs (6.7.43) lost to North Melbourne (10.5.65)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Darebin Falcons (0.2.2) lost to Williamstown (11.12.78)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Casey Demons (2.2.14) lost to Box Hill (19.8.122)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
VFLW Round 1 Leading Goal Kickers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n