Darebin vs Carlton
The Falcons destroyed Carlton by 59 points on Saturday, but one could argue that the team selected by the Blues could only result in one way. No Darcy Vescio, no Nicola Stevens, no Gabrielle Pound, no Maddison Gay. It should be noted that Maddison Gay just recently got traded to Melbourne in the AFLW, but it is unclear if she will stay at the Blues VFLW team. Yes. they are only 4 names missing but if you want to stand a chance at this Darebin outfit, you better bring your best. Mouncy continues to dominate kicking 3.2, Lauren Pearce owned Briann Moody and the midfield is in TEAM Of THE YEAR form. Mithen 19 disposals, Guerin 17 disposals and 2 goals, Exon 16 disposals 1 goal, Dal Pos 19 disposals, this midfield of AFLW stars is wrecking havoc in the VFLW.
Hawthorn vs Collingwood
Chloe Molloy may not have had her kicking boots on, but she is definitely one reason that the pies held off a late charge by Hawthorn and won by 7 points. Molloy kicked 1.3 goals but was not the hero of the day, that belonged to Sarah D’Arcy who finished with 20 disposals and swept up everything across halfback. One thing that did stand out was the usual well organised defence Hawthorn normally have was absent on Saturday. Michelle Hutchins and Peppa Randall did not have the intimidating presence they have shown in the last 4 rounds. But they were not the only stars that had a poor day, Sarah Perkins was hardly sighted, the defensive efforts of Mua Laloifi kept Perkins quiet all day. Unfortunately, Laloifi went down in the third quarter with a knee injury suspected to be an ACL tear. Laloifi has been Collingwood’s best defender since the start of the competition, she will be missed in the weeks to come. On a positive note for Hawthorn Olivia Flanagan had her best game for the year, Flanagan received TAC CUP TEAM OF THE YEAR honours last year but was not drafted. More performances like that and she will be.
Richmond vs Essendon
Richmond finally responded to their poor form with a win over the Bombers by 34 points. It was the first time ever that Richmond played all their AFLW players and it was Lauren Tesoriero who led Richmond to victory with 17 disposals and two goals. Jaqueline Graham and Phoebe Monahan were two ball magnet finishing the game with 44 disposals between them and a goal. Emma King returned for her first game kicking a goal being played in the forward line, I’m sure she would prefer to be playing permanent ruck rather than having only 2 disposals in the forward line. On Essendon side, there was one player who tried her guts out and was for the second week in a row was the best on the ground. Haley Bullas continues to impress even though she managed 13 disposals, she landed 18 tackles. For this round the next closest was 12, Bullas could easily be the most important player at Essendon.
Nt Thunder vs Western Bulldogs
It just seems to happen week after week, Thunders poorest score this year is 83, no other team has come even close to that amount of dominance on Saturday in Darwin it was Thunder by 36 points. The Bulldogs were valiant in defeat with the return of Angela Gogos showed a much more competitive team. Combined with Libby Birch, Brooke Lochland, Bailey Hunt individually they were the most influential players on the ground. Yet it seems that it’s always the snior players pulling their weight and the VFL girls seem to have no standout. NT Thunder on the othert hand have the perfect mix not just the senior girls, or the delisted AFLW girls making an impact, it’s pure bred talent from the Territory. Lisa Roberts has been outstanding playing halfback and Kylie Dugganin in her first game kicked 2 goals from 10 disposals. Angela Foley, Jasmine Hewitt, Eloise Jones etc will perform week after week, but it’s what make up the 10 posistions that can’t be touched by AFLW players is what makes Thunder so dangeroues.
Casey vs Williamstown
On Sunday it was Casey with their first victory in a tug of war that had them the victor by 13 points. Darcy Guttridge was strong at halfback while Aleisha Newman had a career high 17 disposals. Casey Sheriff was their best with 22 disposals but it was the scoring power of Kaila Benzelzen with 5 majors that sealed the game. Williamstown best yet again was Jess Duffin, Jasmine Garner and Jenna Brutton. Chloe Portelli may have a new role in the forward line finishing with 2 goals for the day. One thing that has stood out for Williamstown is that Garner has been working up and down the ground but they don’t have her where they need her. She should have an experienced VFL midfield led feeding her so she can do some damage. Meggan Williamson is desperately needed back, she may have her duties to the U18 championship, but she is vital to the output of this team.
Melb Uni vs Geelong
If I was a MUGARS fan I would be heartbroken from the result on Sunday that saw them lose by 1 point. This was the game of the week, the ultimate nailbiter, the MUGARS had them by 11 points in the last quarter, then up comes Kate Darby goal, 5 points the margin with barely any time a hack kick lands in Rrachelle Cranstons lap inside the goal square. Emma Kearney was oustanding with 32 disposals and 2 goals, Ashleigh Riddell and Kate Gillespe Jones had 53 disposals between the pair and were hard at the ball all day. For Geelong Rechelle Cranston, Renee Garing and Mia Rae Clifford were all solid but their best was ruckman Madeline McMahon, who was dominant around the ground all day. I’m sure Madison Prespakis would have made a differance if she was in that midfield but sadly she wasn’t. Geelong still remain undefeated, but will have to face the test this week against Darebin. Are they a serious finals contender, or have they just been skimming by.
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