MANY of the regular stars of the VFLW continued to shine last weekend, but that did not mean new faces did not step up and give Scouting Note worthy performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#5 <\/strong>Lauren Caruso<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats: <\/strong>20 disposals, five clearances, four tackles, three inside 50s, two rebound 50s, two marks<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Caruso did rest forward at times, she continued to mainly play in the midfield, impressing in what has become a real top position for her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of her biggest strengths continues to be her clearance work, working on the inside and using her pace to really get the ball out of the pack well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #17 <\/strong>Emily Harley<\/a> (Midfield) Stats: <\/strong>10 disposals, three marks, one hit out, one tackle, one goal, one behind<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was a bit of a positional switch for Harley on Friday night, but it was one that was a true benefit to both the player and the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although more well known as a forward, she was pushed up into the midfield for much of the match, using her body strength and power kick to break through congestion and create drive into attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #10 <\/strong>Matilda Zander<\/a> (Forward) Stats: <\/strong>13 disposals, four inside 50s, three marks, two clearances, two goals, one rebound 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Zander normally does not take the spotlight, this former Pie really showed what she can do on Friday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kicking multiple goals, both with quite some power behind them, she also showed strong game sense and awareness of the positioning of team mates in certain situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #26 <\/strong>Alana Barba<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats: <\/strong>22 disposals, 11 tackles, seven clearances, three goals, one rebound 50, one inside 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n Barba continued to show how much of an absolutely sneaky midfielder she can be, but also showed she can be a goal sneak too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both her goals were not straight set shots, but required her to sneak through traffic and kick truly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #34 <\/strong>Renee Tierney<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats:<\/strong> 19 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances, five inside 50s, two marks, one rebound 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tierney is another player beginning to show versatility in her game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She played more as a midfielder than her traditional forward role on Friday, and really created a strong presence in that midfield in the way only a key forward turned midfielder can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #32 <\/strong>Simone Ruedin<\/a> (Defender) Stats: <\/strong>12 disposals, five marks, four rebound 50s, one clearance<\/p>\n\n\n\n Normally the quiet and unassuming type, Ruedin\u2019s work alongside the rest of Darebin\u2019s defence was the true cornerstone of the team\u2019s success on the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She was a really strong marker, and really worked hard to take away the strengths of the Bulldogs\u2019 forwards, which is marking in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #33 <\/strong>Caitlin Bunker<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats: <\/strong>14 disposals, 10 tackles, six inside 50s, one rebound 50, one clearance<\/p>\n\n\n\n The inspirational leader of the Falcons had another captain\u2019s game on the weekend and continues to truly lead the team from the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She had another strong game in the clearance department, and just did not stop working all day, playing with absolutely no fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #52 <\/strong>Monique DeMatteo<\/a> (Forward) Stats: <\/strong>14 disposals, six tackles, five goals, two behinds, one mark, one inside 50, one clearance<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although DeMatteo is someone who has been really growing as the season has progressed, her performance on the weekend was on another level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kicking five goals, all of differing types and difficulties, she continues to show that she has really improved her foot speed and was strong both in the contest like a traditional marking forward, but also out the back of contests like a smaller forward traditionally is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #51 <\/strong>Dominique Carbone<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats: <\/strong>21 disposals, five tackles, four clearances, four marks, two inside 50s, one behind<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although it was the kind of game for the Western Bulldogs that could have seen their players easily just drop their heads, one player who never did was Carbone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She was hard working all game, truly leading from the front and working hard at the bottom of many a pack, much like her opposite number in Bunker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #63 <\/strong>Jaimi Tabb<\/a> (Forward) Stats:<\/strong> 13 disposals, five tackles, three clearances, two goals, one behind, one mark, one inside 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although overall it was a pretty tough day for the Bulldogs\u2019 forwards, one player who bucked the trend was Tabb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She stood up when others were being beaten, and made the most of the rare chances she was given.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #37 <\/strong>Georgia Foran<\/a> (Defender) Stats: <\/strong>14 disposals, five rebound 50s, three marks, three tackles, one clearance, one inside 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n In what was at times a frustrating game to be a Southern Saint, Foran really stood tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Playing across the half back line, Foran was a really strong intercept marker, which allowed her to rebound back into attack really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #24 <\/strong>Megan Williamson<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats: <\/strong>17 disposals, 10 clearances, seven inside 50s, six tackles, two marks, one goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Williamson has shown glimpses this season, last weekend\u2019s match was one of her best games of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Really strong in the clearance game, her positioning around the contest was really good, but she may have to watch her temper better at times after giving away a 50m penalty because of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #25 <\/strong>Sharnie Whiting<\/a> (Forward) Stats: <\/strong>Five disposals, three marks, two goals, one tackle, one rebound 50, one inside 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was another typically strong performance from Whiting, who continues to show how much of an influence she can be despite not racking up the disposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She snapped a couple of goals in very typical Whiting fashion, and even did a spell in defence to help out her team mates and sure up the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #18 <\/strong>Meg Macdonald<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats: <\/strong>23 disposals, 13 tackles, 10 clearances, six marks, five inside 50s, three rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was not an easy game for any Dee by any stretch of the imagination, but Macdonald really stood tall and tried to lead by example for her team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She was again hard at the contest and not afraid to put her body on the line, and was also really strong in the clearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #36 <\/strong>Tegan Williams<\/a> (Ruck) Stats: <\/strong>20 disposals, 16 hit outs, four clearances, three marks, three tackles, three inside 50s, one rebound 50, one behind<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key players being unavailable meant a position change on the weekend for Williams, and one that she seemed to slot into with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although more known as a forward, Williams played a fair amount of the match in the ruck, and really competed with the bigger and sometimes more experienced Collingwood ruck duo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #52 <\/strong>Akayla Peterson<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats: <\/strong>25 disposals, nine rebound 50s, six marks, four tackles, one inside 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although 2024 has not always gone to plan like Peterson probably would have liked, her performance on the weekend was more like the Lambert-Pearce Medal winning form she showed last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She played more of a defensive midfield role, but still created plenty of drive into attack for her side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #55 <\/strong>Maya Ellin<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats: <\/strong>15 tackles, 12 disposals, three marks, two clearances, one inside 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although probably better known for her prolific tackling work, Ellin really showed on the weekend that there is more to her game than just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although her tackle work was still impressive, her intercept mark game was one of her biggest weapons on the weekend, which was really helpful in the sometimes chaotic and scrappy nature of the midfield battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #42 <\/strong>Maddison Ford<\/a> (Defender) Stats: <\/strong>22 disposals, nine marks, five rebound 50s, two inside 50s, two marks, one clearance<\/p>\n\n\n\n The younger of the Fords was mainly working around the half back region, and provided a great hazard to the Carlton attackers trying to penetrate forward 50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her intercept marking was particularly strong, and she provided great rebound back up the ground for her side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #45 <\/strong>Sarah Ford<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats:<\/strong> 14 disposals, six clearances, five tackles, three inside 50s, one mark<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ex AFLW Swan was industrious through midfield, and playing a much bigger role than her height or perhaps her reputation would expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through her strong clearance work she was able provide great forward momentum through midfield for her side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #73 <\/strong>Sophie Molan<\/a> (Defender) Stats:<\/strong> 19 disposals, five rebound 50s, two tackles, one mark, one inside 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was another impressive game from Molan, who continues to really grow as a footballer in the Essendon backline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of Molan\u2019s biggest strengths on the weekend was her defensive positioning, regularly knowing exactly where she needs to be in any given situation to affect the play in the best way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #51 <\/strong>Octavia Di Donato<\/a> (Defender) Stats:<\/strong> 14 disposals, three rebound 50s, one mark, one tackle, one inside 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was another strong game from the Carlton skipper, who continues to show calmness and maturity beyond her years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She took a lot of the kick outs for the Blues and was overall really composed with ball in hand, particularly as the Carlton defence was really tested at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #49 <\/strong>Grace Matser<\/a> (Ruck) Stats:<\/strong> 24 hit outs, 12 disposals, seven inside 50s, five clearances, five tackles, one mark<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Matser was really strong in the ruck on the weekend, she was more than just a standard tap ruck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She was playing more like an extra midfielder at times, roving her own taps at times and being really crucial in helping drive forward momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #51 <\/strong>Gabby Collingwood<\/a> (Forward) Stats: <\/strong>10 disposals, three tackles, two goals, one behind, one inside 50, one clearance, one mark<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was a bit of a role diversification on the weekend for Collingwood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She mainly played up the ground to much affect, but also came back to the forward line and was really clever in the way she got her two goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #56 <\/strong>Jade Wise<\/a> (Midfielder) Stats:<\/strong> 19 disposals, three marks, two tackles, two clearances, two inside 50s, two rebound 50s, two behinds<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although game time is something that has not always been forthcoming for Wise in more recent times, Wise came back into the side on the weekend and proved that leaving her out of it was a mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Playing through the midfield, she was really clean with her disposal and was a really important cog in the full ground transition for the Hawks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #29 <\/strong>Molly Walton<\/a> (Defender) Stats:<\/strong> 12 disposals, six rebound 50s, one mark, one tackle<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although it was not an easy game for any of Geelong\u2019s defenders, Walton still really stood tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like much of this season, she continued to stay really composed beyond her years and was a solid rock on the last line of defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
19\/11\/1999 | 161cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
4\/12\/2001 | 169cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nNorth Melbourne:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3\/4\/1998 | 160cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
26\/9\/2001 | 164cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
23\/5\/2002 | 166cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDarebin 6.5 (41) defeated Western Bulldogs 3.5 (23)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Darebin:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9\/11\/1992 | 173cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
28\/8\/1993 | 165cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
24\/5\/1997 | 168cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWestern Bulldogs:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
25\/9\/2001 | 161cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
9\/2\/2001 | 168cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSouthern Saints 2.3 (15) lost to Williamstown 7.3 (45)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Southern Saints:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
17\/11\/2004 | 174cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWilliamstown:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3\/2\/2000 | 158cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
23\/8\/2000 | 169cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCasey 0.7 (7) lost to Collingwood 3.4 (22)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Casey:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
29\/6\/1998 | 172cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
7\/3\/2004 | 178cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCollingwood:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2\/10\/1994 | 176cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
8\/6\/2005 | 169cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nEssendon 1.4 (10) lost to Carlton 4.10 (34)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Essendon:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
29\/3\/2004 | 174cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
24\/4\/1996 | 157cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
24\/3\/2001 | 175cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCarlton:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
23\/2\/2004 | 172cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBox Hill 14.8 (92) defeated Geelong 0.2 (2)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Box Hill:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3\/1\/2003 | 186cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
15\/1\/1999 | 163cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
5\/2\/1990 | 168cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nGeelong:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6\/5\/2004 | 173cm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n