MANY of the regular stars of the 2024 VFLW season continued to shine on the weekend, but that did not mean new faces did not pop up and impress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Peter Williams <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n #45 <\/strong>Maggie Mahony<\/a> (Midfielder)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>27 disposals, three marks, seven tackles, 10 clearances, six inside 50s, one rebound 50, one goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Oakleigh Chargers small showed she has no issues finding the ball at any level and simply dominated through the midfield against senior opposition. Facing a opposition with a number of strong inside midfielders, Mahony not only held her own, but excelled with a game-high 27 disposals and 10 clearances, while also finishing off with a classy goal. She is enjoying an outstanding top-age season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #46<\/strong> Sarah Poustie<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats:<\/strong> 23 disposals, seven marks, nine tackles, three clearances, four inside 50s, one rebound 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Mahony starred, Poustie impressed as well, showing her elite running capacity and an ability to balance between winning the ball on the inside and outside. She clunked quite a few marks and got her hands dirty with nine tackles, while getting involved in scoring chains too. One who ticked another box going up against quality senior opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #34<\/strong> Renee Tierney<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats: <\/strong>20 disposals, four marks , six tackles, six clearances, one inside 50, three rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tierney thrived through the middle and showed she can play a role in there with the former Essendon AFLW forward now a bonafide onballer. She was strong at the coalface, extracted the ball consistently, and was fierce defensively to not give her opponents any space both in midfield or behind the ball where she also mopped up on a number of occasions with safe hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #5 <\/strong>Lauren Caruso<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats:<\/strong> 14 disposals, 10 tackles, five clearances, two inside 50s, two rebound 50s, one goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caruso again played more of a midfield role than the defender role she was playing more towards the start of the year, with much success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her strong running ability helped her influence the game both in the heart of defence and attack, with many midfielders not venturing into either space, and Caruso even managed to snap a goal from a tight angle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #8 <\/strong>Eloise Ashley-Cooper<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats:<\/strong> 22 disposals, 12 tackles, eight clearances, five inside 50s, two rebound 50s, two marks<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was another strong game from Ashley-Cooper against her old side, proving that there were no feelings felt towards her former team mates. She was a tackle machine, and was really influential in working the ball out of the core of the contest, and into a position where forward momentum could be generated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #43 <\/strong>Olivia Manfre<\/a> (Forward) Stats:<\/strong> Nine disposals, three goals, two marks, two tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arguably her best game of the season, Manfre was a true goal sneak and drove much of Essendon\u2019s attacking momentum. She did kick three majors, with the first two coming from kicks curled around her body while the third was a more regulation shot directly out in front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #72 <\/strong>Sophie Molan<\/a> (Defender) Stats:<\/strong> 22 disposals, six rebound 50s, six marks, four tackles, one inside 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n Essendon\u2019s defence saw plenty of the ball, particularly early, and an important rock and calming influence in the backline was Molan. Mainly working along the top of the 50, her intercept marking was particularly strong and crucial in repelling Borough attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #50 <\/strong>Eliza Wood<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats:<\/strong> 18 disposals, nine tackles, three inside 50s, two rebound 50s, two clearances, one mark, one goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wood has so often been an example of a leader that really leads with her actions, and last weekend was no different. She is a hard working midfielder, and was able to create a lot of drive out of midfield for her side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #68 <\/strong>Paige Duffy<\/a> (Defender) Stats:<\/strong> 11 disposals, three tackles, two marks, two rebound 50s, one clearance<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a match where the Carlton defence was really tested, it was one of its youngest defenders in Duffy who really stood up and shone. Playing mainly on the last line of defence, strong intercept work was one of her most influential assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #39 <\/strong>Jessica Matin<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats:<\/strong> 14 disposals, three inside 50s, three tackles, two marks, two behinds<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Matin is normally a forward, she played more of a midfield role on the weekend to much success. She got her head down and just went to work at the heart of the midfield, but did also push forward at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #60 <\/strong>Grace Matser<\/a> (Ruck\/Forward) Stats:<\/strong> Seven disposals, four hitouts, three goals, one tackle<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Matser started in the ruck, her move into the forward line proved to be more influential on the match result. She kicked three goals, with al three kicked in very different situations, and also set up a fourth goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #66 <\/strong>Mietta Kendall<\/a> (Forward)<\/strong> Stats:<\/strong> 11 disposals, three tackles, three inside 50s, two goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kendall played mainly in the forwardline, but did push up to as much as the halfway line at times during the game, trying to influence the game. Her first goal came at the culmination of a great chain of play, while her second goal showed a lot of control as it was a kick around her body while she was being tackled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #51 <\/strong>Dominique Carbone<\/a> (Midfielder\/Forward) Stats: <\/strong>21 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances, four inside 50s, two marks, two behinds, one goal, one rebound 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was another true captain\u2019s game performance from Carbone. She was really hard working and did not stop all game, and created plenty of strong drive through particularly the midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #73 <\/strong>Isadora McLeay<\/a> (Forward\/Ruck) Stats: <\/strong>11 tackles, eight disposals, five hitouts, four marks, one inside 50, one goal, one behind<\/p>\n\n\n\n McLeay did move into the ruck later in the match, but her most influential moments in the game all came when she was playing in the forwardline. She was a really strong marking target and displayed good game awareness, but would have preferred to have more successful shots on goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #29 <\/strong>Chloe Hunt<\/a> (Forward) Stats: <\/strong>Nine disposals, three behinds, two goals, two clearances, two hitouts, one mark, one inside 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a quieter few weeks from the key forward, Hunt really lifted her game again on the weekend. She was again a strong mark and strong presence in the pack, and went on to be the only player in the game to kick multiple goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #5 <\/strong>Charlotte Ryan<\/a> (Defender\/Midfielder) Stats: <\/strong>26 disposals, six clearances, eight rebound 50s, two inside 50s, one tackle<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ryan mainly played mainly along the half-back line, but did also venture up into the midfield. Her intercept marking was the most impressive component of her game, but she would probably like to have another go at her subsequent kicks, who did not always go the way she would have planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #20 <\/strong>Riley Christgoergl<\/a> (Defender) Stats: <\/strong>Eight disposals, three tackles, one mark, one rebound 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was a milestone match to remember for Christgoergl, who was an absolute rock in Darebin\u2019s defence. In a defence that was well tested despite the final scoreline, her tackling pressure was one of her strongest assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #31 <\/strong>Caitlin Bunker<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats: <\/strong>22 disposals, 11 tackles, nine clearances, three marks, two rebound 50s, one inside 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was a captain\u2019s performance once again from Bunker, who truly led with her actions in the midfield. She continued to show off her strong in game awareness, fully scanning around her to make the right decision to help the team forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #52 <\/strong>Monique DeMatteo<\/a> (Forward) Stats: <\/strong>14 disposals, five marks, five inside 50s, three goals, one behind, one tackle, one clearance, one rebound 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was another stellar performance up forward from the towering forward, who continues to change up her game to suit the team\u2019s needs and show off her versatility. She kicked three majors on the weekend, and in doing so she showed off that she can be a sneak in front of goal despite normally playing as that tall, key target forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #19 <\/strong>Niamh O’Neill<\/a> (Forward) Stats: <\/strong>11 disposals, five hitouts, two clearances, two marks, two tackles one rebound 50, one goal, one behind<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although she took a while to get involved in the game, once she did O\u2019Neill did she became an important cog in Casey\u2019s resurgence in the game. She became a really reliable target up forward, with her strong marking ability and high level of power in her kick able to be relied on to get her side back in the game. She also spent some time in the midfield, which continues to show how multifaceted her game is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #21 <\/strong>Zoe Mitchell<\/a> (Midfield) Stats:<\/strong> 16 disposals, seven tackles, four clearances, two inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n A busy bee in midfield, Mitchell\u2019s hard work through the middle did not go unnoticed. Mainly playing through the corridor, she was a reliable marking target, tackling menace and quick with ball in hand, all crucial in helping her team gain some kind of control through the middle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #20 <\/strong>Teagan Brett<\/a> (Forward) Stats: <\/strong>16 disposals, four marks, four goals, two tackles, one behind, one inside 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last weekend\u2019s clash was one of Brett\u2019s most dominant for the season. She was a really sneaky little forward, and when kicking for goal judged angles really well to kick multiple goals from around her body and from at times difficult angles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #39 <\/strong>Molly Simpson<\/a> (Forward) Stats: <\/strong>12 disposals, three marks, three behinds, two goals, two tackles, two inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was one of Simpson\u2019s best games on the weekend, and perhaps one of the best showings of her true potential all year. She was really calm under pressure and used the angles clever well, and almost had a brilliant third goal but the kick off the ground smacked into the post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #17<\/strong> Lily Jordan<\/a> (Midfielder)<\/strong> Stats:<\/strong> 28 disposals, four marks, eight tackles, five clearances, two inside 50s, five rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Playing her best game of the year, Jordan was a standout despite the heavy defeat, racking up the ball at will after missing last week due to injury. She got first hands to it consistently, laid plenty of tackles and was able to get involved in the few scores that the Cats did kick.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCollingwood:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
19\/10\/2006 | 161cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
05\/01\/2006 | 170cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nNorth Melbourne:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
23\/05\/2002 | 164cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nPort Melbourne (3.9.27) lost to Essendon (6.3.39)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Port Melbourne:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
19\/11\/1999 | 161cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
1\/8\/2000 | 165cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nEssendon:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
18\/9\/2003 | 168cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
24\/3\/2001 | 175cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCarlton (3.0.18) lost to Box Hill (12.6.78)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Carlton:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
25\/1\/1999 | 169cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
1\/1\/2005 | 173cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBox Hill:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
28\/6\/2002 | 164cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
3\/1\/2003 | 186cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
3\/9\/2002 | 160cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWestern Bulldogs (5.4.34) defeated Southern Saints (3.6.24)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Western Bulldogs:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
25\/9\/2001 | 161cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
18\/9\/2003 | 178cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSouthern Saints:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2\/12\/1997 | 175cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
28\/4\/2003 | 161cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDarebin (7.7.49) defeated Casey (4.4.28)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Darebin:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
28\/6\/1996 | 168cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
28\/8\/1993 | 165cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
24\/05\/1997 | 168cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCasey:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10\/05\/1996 | 171cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
14\/8\/1998 | 164cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWilliamstown (13.11.89) defeated Geelong (0.3.3)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Williamstown:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8\/2\/2001 | 157cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
05\/08\/1996 | 175cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nGeelong:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
29\/06\/2005 | 164cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n