VFLW Round 4: Williamstown vs Port Melbourne Preview

Round four of the rebel VFLW sees an important matchup between the 4^th placed Port Melbourne Borough and the 5^th placed Williamstown Seagulls. With both teams coming off impressive wins in the previous round, the contest will look to be a close one at DSV Stadium.

Both teams come into this game being 2 wins and 1 loss, with Port Melbourne coming off a dominating 46-point win against Darebin as well as a 19-point win to Essendon in round 1. Williamstown registered a 47-point win against Geelong as well as a 10-point win against Footscray in their opening game.

The Borough come into this game with players to watch across the ground, who will no doubt have an impact on this game.  Lauren Caurso has had a standout 2025 season so far with the Richmond AFLW prospect averaging 14.8 possessions a game as well as 6.7 tackles and 5.3 clearances. She has been influential down back and through the middle, coming off solid 20 possession, 7 tackle and 8 clearance game last week. Georgia Booth has been continuing on her consistent form of 2024, being a critical part of the Borough’s midfield and ruck capacity. Booth averages 10.3 disposals, 9.3 hit-outs, 4.5 tackles and a goal game coming off a clinical 13 possession, 9 hit-out and goal game last round. Youngster Georgia Alomes who came in for her first game since 2023, finished up with an impressive 2 goal effort last week and could be one to watch ahead of this game as a goal kicking, forward pressure option to help course headaches for Williamstown defence.

The Seagulls will look to compete with their own informers ahead this game with key names across the ground as well. Eva Eaves as been one of the Seagulls best this season with the half back flanker averaging a team high 18 possessions and 6.7 clearances, continuing her dominant form of 2024. Continuing her pressure game across half forward will be Megan Williamson who has been averaging a team high 9.7 tackles and 12.7 touches a game, not doubt a player the Borough will want to stop.

Key match ups see a batter in the ruck between the Borough’s Molly Denahy Maloney (averaging 19.7 hit-outs and the Seagulls Cat O’Bryan (averaging 22 hit-outs). Another sees the Borough’s centre halfback Kate Adams looking to contest the high marking ability of Williamstown centre half-forward Sharnie Whiting in what makes to be a crucial clash down back for the red and blue.

The Borough will look to continue there strong inside 50 game and giving the forwards plenty of options, averaging 30.7 per game whilst looking to improve their clearance game (averaging 27.7) and put a stop the Williamstown mids (averaging 32.2).

A win could see Port Melbourne jump to second on the ladder if the Sandringham Zebras and North Melbourne both lose, no doubt the result the club will be after.

By Rob Maiorana