NORTH Melbourne-Werribee will defend its VFL Women’s premiership title when it eyes off back-to-back trophies in next Saturday’s VFL Women’s decider. The Kangaroos earned a second crack at Collingwood in the finals series after losing to the Magpies in the first week, but knocking off Williamstown and then Box Hill on Saturday to book their spot in the big dance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Roos never really looked in danger of losing, keeping the Hawks at arms-length throughout the preliminary final, booting six of the first seven goals to lead by as much as 28 points midway through the second term. To Box Hill’s credit, the Hawks kept fighting and did cut the deficit back to eight points in the last six and a half minutes of the final term, but two quick answers nailed shut any sniff of a comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While not the conventional way to reach the grand final for the minor premiers, North Melbourne looked at its most impressive best, winning the hitouts (45-34) and clearances (33-23) to get first hands to it, though Box Hill’s ability to transition the ball forward and take 19 more marks (46-27) and have four more inside 50s (33-29) was admirable and showed the potential the Hawks have for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leading the way through the midfield was the one-two punch of Alana Barba<\/a> (29 disposals, nine clearances) and Maddie Di Cosmo<\/a> (22 disposals, six clearances), while it was the competition’s leading goalkicker Nyakoat Dojiok<\/a> and inclusion Georgia Nicholas<\/a> who kicked a couple of goals each in the win. Nicholas will be hoping to keep her spot for the grand final, and her pair of majors further illustrated her case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the big ball winners impressed, North Melbourne had a number of important contributions from the likes of Matilda Zander<\/a> – who will face her former side next week – Tahlia Meier<\/a> and Charlotte Ryan<\/a>, all whom did their job to get the blue and white on top down in Frankson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Hawks had plenty of contributors too, with the experience of Nat Exon<\/a> (16 disposals, seven marks, three tackles and a goal) proving a steadying force in the front half, while Isla Baldwin<\/a>, Rosie Dillon<\/a> and Rebecca Neaves<\/a> cracked in around the ball. The size of Matilda Van Berkel<\/a> posed some problems for the Roos’ attack, while Paige Price<\/a> worked hard through the ruck once again and Annabelle Embelton<\/a> had a team-high 22 touches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n North Melbourne-Werribee will face Collingwood in the 2025 VFL Women’s Grand Final next Saturday, August 30 at ETU Stadium. The Roos will be looking to overturn two defeats at the hands of the Magpies this season, having only lost one other game between the remaining 10 sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n BOX HILL HAWKS 1.3 | 2.4 | 5.5 | 6.5 (41) GOALS: RMC BEST: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
NORTH MELBOURNE 4.1 | 6.4 | 7.5 | 9.8 (62)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Box Hill: <\/strong>M. Zielinski 2, J. Matin 2, E. Stilve, N. Exon
North Melbourne: <\/strong>G. Nicholas 2, N. Dojiok 2, M. Zander, R. Tierney, C. Ryan, S. Ingram, C. Blair<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Box Hill: <\/strong>N. Exon, I. Baldwin, P. Price, A. Embelton, R. Dillon
North Melbourne:<\/strong> A. Barba, M. Di Cosmo, N. Dojiok, M. Zander, T. Meier<\/p>\n\n\n\n