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Darebin Falcons<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Carlton VFLW<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nSaturday 16 May | 11:05am | Preston City Oval<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carlton arrives at Preston City Oval carrying one of the heaviest injury tolls in the competition \u2014 Jemma Stokes<\/a>, Asha Turner-Funk<\/a>, Roxy Maslin<\/a>, and Scout Howden<\/a> headline a long absentee list – but the Blues have the AFLW-listed depth to absorb those losses, with Hannah Bowey<\/a>, Lucy Burke<\/a>, Emma Horne<\/a>, and Grace Matser<\/a> expected to carry significant responsibility. Darebin have their own absentees – Bella Gray<\/a>, Sabine Du Parquet<\/a>, and Lucy Burgess<\/a> among those sidelined \u2014 but remain well-stocked through Alyssa Mifsud<\/a>, Caitlin Bunker<\/a>, and Monique DeMatteo<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From a draft lens, this game has genuine intrigue on both sides. Darebin’s standout young prospect – who already has AFLW experience – is Lulu Beatty<\/a>, an exciting ball-user who profiles as the Falcons’ most dynamic young talent and will be keen to make an impression against a Blue team she knows well. Joining her in the development conversation is Avaa Hishongwa-Gibb<\/a>, who comes out of the Northern Knights as a key forward option and adds a physical dimension to Darebin’s attack that could cause Carlton’s backline problems from the first bounce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the Blues, three former Northern Knights teammates of Hishongwa-Gibb are set to line up against her. Phoebe Hargreaves<\/a>, Katelyn Busuttil<\/a>, and Tahlia Plunkett<\/a> are all former Knights who will be key players at VFLW level this season, and the storyline of those shared pathways meeting on opposite sides of the ball adds a compelling subplot to what is already a fixture worth watching.<\/p>\n
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Port Melbourne VFLW<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>North Melbourne Werribee VFLW<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nSaturday 16 May | 11:35am | ETU Stadium<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Port Melbourne head into their home opener with Charley Ryan<\/a> lost for the season to a knee injury, and further uncertainty around Athene McInerney<\/a>, Meg Buchanan<\/a>, and Emily Harley<\/a>. North Melbourne-Werribee are without Ellie Pawlowski<\/a>, Polly Conway<\/a>, and Sarah Ingram<\/a>, though their formidable past AFLW contingent makes the visitors a serious proposition regardless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From a prospects perspective, Port’s development list has plenty of names worth following this season, and ETU Stadium is the place to start. Alex McBride-Loane<\/a> and Isabelle Creaton<\/a> in defence give the Borough an exciting young pairing, while Maya Crestani<\/a> is a 185cm ruck prospect who will test herself against quality opposition without a VFLW game to her name yet. Kiara Bischa<\/a> and Keely Fullerton<\/a>, both former Suns, add further intrigue to a Borough development group that could turn heads this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Werribee counter with their own compelling cast. Abby Favell<\/a> has made the move from Geelong and, alongside Alana Barba<\/a>, gives the Roos a pair of readymade options who can compete at this level right now. Jemima Douglas<\/a> is another name to file away, as is Ava Seton<\/a>, the former Port Melbourne product who will be looking to make the most of her move to a new program.<\/p>\n
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Sandringham Zebras VFLW<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Essendon VFLW<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nSaturday 16 May | 12:05pm | Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Essendon’s injury list heading into Round 1 is a concern – Lucy Thompson<\/a> (knee, 11 weeks), Chloe Prpic<\/a> (knee, 13 weeks), Scarlett Orritt<\/a> (shoulder, 9 weeks), and Georgia Tyrrell<\/a> (foot, 9-10 weeks) headline a brutal absentee list that runs eleven names deep. Sandringham, by contrast, are near full strength, with St Kilda players including Sophie Butterworth<\/a>, Darcy Guttridge<\/a>, and Rene Caris<\/a> supplementing a settled primary-listed group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The draft conversation around this game is rich on both sides. At Sandringham, Grace Hodder<\/a> has been one of the competition’s more discussed names over the past twelve months, with the skipper having transformed her game significantly and shaping as a genuine mature-age contender. The tall Ava Bibby<\/a> – a 187cm ruck from Bendigo Pioneers – is one of the most physically imposing over-agers in the competition this season and will attract attention immediately, while former National Academy member Mackenzie Williams<\/a> is a rebounding defender who adds another dimension to what the Zebras can offer across half-back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Essendon’s depleted list forces their young players into larger roles than they might otherwise have expected in Round 1, which could cut both ways. Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb<\/a> presents as a genuine ruck prospect at 182cm and will be tested immediately at this level. Amelie Gladman<\/a>, the former AFLW Bomber, brings experience and readiness that the Bombers’ development group will lean on, while Eloise Chaston<\/a> is a readymade forward-midfielder who profiles as one of the more complete players in the Essendon system at this level.<\/p>\n
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Geelong Cats VFLW<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Williamstown VFLW<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nSaturday 16 May | 12:05pm | Deakin University<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Geelong are close to full strength – Ari Schlink<\/a> is out with a thumb injury and Simone Nalder<\/a> is on an individual program – while Williamstown head to Deakin University without seven players, including Ellie McLinden<\/a> and Georgia Smith<\/a> (both ACL). It shapes as a demanding season opener for the Seagulls, who will need their experienced heads to steady the ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Geelong’s development crop is one of the more interesting in the competition this season. Mekah Morrissy<\/a> arrives having been an injury replacement for Melbourne AFLW last season, giving her a profile that extends well beyond the typical development-listed player, and she will be a focal point for opposition scouts at Deakin University. The Crabtree sisters – Tyla<\/a> and Bindi<\/a> – return from Southport in Queensland and bring a readiness that makes them interesting mature-age options, while Bella Davies<\/a> is set to play a key midfield role roving to Hayley Peck<\/a>, a combination that could generate real impact through the middle of the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Williamstown will lean on their more experienced players to stay competitive, but the development names are worth watching too. Emily Eaves<\/a> and Georgia Howes<\/a> are mature-age options who have been building through the program and should hold their own at this level. And in Lilu Hung<\/a>, the Seagulls have a player with an interesting backstory – the former St Kilda listed player is looking for a second crack at AFLW level after spending time at the Saints, and a strong VFLW season could go a long way towards making that case.<\/p>\n
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Tasmania Devils VFLW<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Casey Demons VFLW<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nSaturday 16 May | 2:35pm | North Hobart Oval<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The occasion needs little introduction. The Tasmania Devils run out at North Hobart Oval for the first time as a VFLW club, and for a state that has waited years for this moment, the atmosphere figures to be something special. Ellie Hall<\/a>, Emma Suckling<\/a>, Meghan Gaffney<\/a>, and Candice Belbin<\/a> are all sidelined for the Devils, but the squad has the experience to absorb those absences. Georgia Nicholas<\/a>, Sarah Skinner<\/a>, and Jessie Williams<\/a> – who between them have accumulated well over 150 VFLW games – anchor the group, while Perri King<\/a>, Gabbi Featherston<\/a>, and Libby Haines<\/a> add genuine AFLW pedigree to what is a well-constructed debut list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among the younger Devils, Ava Read<\/a> and Matilda Elbourne<\/a> are two names that have been overlooked in recent drafts despite having real potential, and the VFLW stage could be the platform that changes that narrative. In a history-making match on home soil, both have the opportunity to announce themselves to a wider audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Casey will be a formidable opponent for a developmental Tasmanian side. Among the prospects in the Casey lineup, Lily Snow<\/a> is a former Dandenong Stingrays mid-forward who brings athleticism and versatility to the Demons’ forward structure, while Bianca Lyne<\/a> is a versatile option capable of playing multiple roles. It is also worth noting Casey’s unlisted player promotion this week – Bonnie Williams<\/a>, a 2007-born Gippsland Power product from Pakenham Football Club, who has earned her place in the squad for the occasion.<\/p>\n
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Box Hill VFLW<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Collingwood VFLW<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nSaturday 16 May | 4:05pm | Box Hill City Oval<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day closes with a twilight fixture that could be the most prospect-rich game of the round. Box Hill are without Lucy Page<\/a> (ankle), Ashleigh Thatcher<\/a> (shoulder), and Paige Price<\/a> (personal reasons), while Collingwood carry a significant absentee list of their own – Mia Jones<\/a>, Jorja Borg<\/a>, Abbey McDonald<\/a>, Lauren Szigeti<\/a>, and Jordi Ivey<\/a> among those unavailable. Despite the absentees on both sides, the game figures to be a genuine contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Box Hill’s development group is stacked with over-age players who were unlucky not to go last year, and this is the season to put their hands up. Zoe Vozzo<\/a>, Bree Horne<\/a>, Ella Stoddart<\/a>, Evelyn Connolly<\/a>, and Sienna Sharp<\/a> all fit that bill \u2014 five prospects with a point to prove and a premium stage on which to prove it. Among the mature-age options, Stasia Stevenson<\/a> and Matilda Van Berkel<\/a> are established performers in the Box Hill system who should play significant roles across the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Collingwood’s list is similarly compelling. Zoe Wilkinson<\/a> will face a number of her former teammates in this one, adding an extra edge to her debut, while top-agers Macy Watkins<\/a>, Ella Jeffrey<\/a>, and Stella Huxtable<\/a> were all names attracting draft interest last year and enter 2026 with something to build on. In the mature-age bracket, Abbey Tregellis<\/a> and Tahlia Sanger<\/a> are among the Pies’ most experienced development-listed players and could be the ones who set the tone for the younger prospects around them.<\/p>\n
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Mentions<\/span><\/span><\/div>
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