By Evan Tudor
After taking last weekend off for the final competition bye of 2026, women’s top flight action is back as the race towards finals ramps up.
Round 12 opens with a high-stakes battle at Town Centre Recreation Reserve as Caroline Springs and Essendon Doutta Stars battle it out.
With the finals series just five weeks away, both the Lakers and Stars will be eager to put another win on the board and step closer to a top-four finish.
Currently holding the ladder’s fourth rung is Caroline Springs who are two games ahead of Essendon Doutta Stars on fifth.
The Lakers enter this contest after a 47-point defeat to Strathmore, their third blemish to the season.
In spite of the outcome, the Lakers continued to show strong signs through the likes of star ruck Jordin Williamson, key ball possessors Taya Meiers and Nikki Perrett, and courageous work in front of goal from Ebony Stevens.
Those are some of the Lakers to watch on Saturday, and if the side can work on stringing together more effective passages of play, and see Jacinta Kondis return to doing what she does best – kicking goals – then Caroline Springs will set itself up in a good position.
Essendon Doutta Stars shone in the foggy conditions a fortnight ago, with many talents putting on compelling performances in the 64-point victory over Keilor.
Like always, Ada Pizzinga will be one to watch on Saturday with her impressive specialty in quickly moving the Sherrin into attacking 50.
Stephanie Mitchell will continue to look to make an impact on the scoreboard after a four-goal display in the wintery weather, while Mia Tully continues to be among the action.
When the Stars and Lakers last met in Round 4, it was Caroline Springs who were victorious by five points.
Another close match may be on Saturday’s menu, and it truly is anyone’s game.
First will play third at JP Fawkner Reserve as Aberfeldie hits the road to meet Oak Park in a contest between two of the competition’s strongest outfits.
On top of the ladder with an unrivalled percentage, Aberfeldie displayed its full potential with a 97-point victory over Moonee Valley last round.
The Two Blues share the ladder points with second place Strathmore and will need to keep winning if they want to maintain their top spot credentials.
Abers is the home of the division’s top goalscoring talent, with Moana Hope and Emily Smith finding a respective 28 and 24 majors from just nine matches.
Lara Churchill has also been impactful for the Two Blues and joins a stellar line-up, strengthened by captain Olivia Madden who constantly puts on ball-winning masterclasses.
Aberfeldie will look to show no mercy on Saturday, but Oak Park has a goal of its own: a seventh-straight win.
Perhaps having gone under the radar of some, the Kangaroos find themselves third on the ladder after a string of six wins, winning each by an average of 42 points.
The Roos find consistency through Sarah Dargan, Tayah Kelly, Holly McGregor, and Sasha Nelson, a threatening squad who have been in and amongst the goalkickers and best-on lists of recent.
Terira Fry has been named one of the Roos’ best in all six of her topflight appearances.
Felicity Theodore has also been noteworthy, with five goals and four best-ons coming from seven matches.
Along with teammate Nelson, Theodore hit the scoreboard with two majors when Oak Park and Aberfeldie met in Round 2.
It was an arm wrestle when these sides last met, but it was Aberfeldie who came from behind to win by eight points.
Will Aberfeldie continue its grip on top spot, or will Oak Park’s streak extend to seven?
Traditional rivals will meet in the women’s topflight for the second time this season, as Keilor hosts Strathmore at Joe Brown Oval.
After the Blues and Mores met in Good Friday’s season opener, which saw Strathmore victorious by 20 points, both sides have been down contrastingly different paths.
Currently sitting second on the ladder, Strathmore has gone 8-2 and has every chance at finishing the season on top.
With a dynamic line-up led by one of the league’s most impressive players and ball winners, Eloise Egglestone continues to be a key star for the Mores and was dominant in last round’s upset win over Caroline Springs.
Goals continue to flow through Milla Murphy (17) and Talia Motta (10), while Charli Sette also remains one to watch.
The Mores hold a good position heading into Saturday’s match.
It’s been a difficult season for Keilor, but strong attitudes and resilience live on at Joe Brown Oval.
Keilor remains at the foot of the table still searching for a win.
The Blues’ never give-up attitude was present in their display under Friday night lights two weeks ago, with the team combining to help Sarah Ingram slot a major in the third term and become a more competitive side as the match drew on.
Laura Wright has been named best-on for the Blues in eight out of nine appearances, behind Strathmore’s Egglestone with 10.
Maddison Cotten has also earnt seven honours out of seven, finding herself in the top six of best player listings.
As both sides enter this clash after the shared bye, it gives the Blues and Mores a fresh look heading into Saturday.
Round 12 closes off at Ormond Park as Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong Park meet for the battle of Moonee Ponds for the second time in a month.
Both sides will be looking to make the most of Saturday’s contest and get a win on the board after suffering heavy defeats to Aberfeldie in their recent hit outs.
A solitary goal was put up by the trustworthy Nadia Valenti in the Fog’s match against Abers two weeks ago, with Moonee Valley ultimately going down by 97 points.
Maribyrnong Park gave Abers it’s all back in Round 10, putting up a 2.4 (16) display in 50-point defeat.
But much has happened since those results, and a new opportunity arises for the Fog and Marby to pick up a win.
Finals aren’t necessarily out of the question for both clubs, but it’s going to take a miraculous push in addition to other favourable results going their respective ways.
Kate Maxwell continues to be a standout for Moonee Valley, while goals are aplenty for Maribyrnong Park from Tegan Matthews, who scored two when her side last met the Fog.
In Round 9’s meeting between these sides, some strong goalkicking talent of the Valley’s was on display as Charlotte D’Ambrosio and Matilda Zander found a respective two and one.
Chloe Healy put through three for the Lions, while Dimi Papadopoulos had another great day out.
Maribyrnong Park took the bragging rights by 22 points in Round 9, but a high-spirited contest this Saturday and the best efforts from all on field could see another entertaining match.
By Michelle Dunstan & Jake Reeves
Round 11 will kick off at Cole Reserve with Coburg Districts hosting Burnside Heights.
Coburg Districts enter this game in sixth spot with a 70-point win its most recent outing.
The Bears are in second spot and will be wanting to maintain that separation after a draw and a narrow win in their two most recent games.
It was an 18-point win for Burnside Heights when these sides last met in Round 3.
The Lions jumped out of the blocks but were unable to stop the Bears who powered through to the final siren.
Taylia Iglesias starred with four goals, while Olivia Antonello added two, and Aarzu Mavi was important.
Zoe Manning kicked four for the Lions with Sarah Docherty and Bridgette Aparo strong as well.
Can the Lions maintain their form, or will the Bears hold second spot?
It'll be eighth against ninth as Sunbury Kangaroos head to Lakeside Reserve to play Roxburgh Park.
The Kangaroos have struggled in their last four games, while the Magpies picked up a good win before the break.
These sides kicked off the season against each other in Round 1 with the Kangaroos winning by 40 points.
Georgia Marinier was a key difference with five goals and having not added a goal in her three games since, she'll be keen to hit the scoreboard.
Nicole Knudsen and Tylah Bell were named their best that day and they'll need to step up again if the Kangaroos are to improve.
Emily Prouse and Haylea Cooke were important in that game and have led the way for Roxy all season, something they'll look to maintain.
The undefeated Westmeadows will take on Keilor Park in a top four clash at Willowbrook Reserve in an afternoon slot.
The Tigers have had the perfect season to date and have consistently put teams to the sword with monster scores throughout the season.
It has also been a bright season for Keilor Park, which is sitting third with an eight win and two loss record, and are off the back off a comprehensive 97-point victory over East Sunbury.
Sophie Shaw and Kyiesha Taylor both had big afternoons for the Devils in their last match, kicking four and three goals, respectively.
There were five goalscorers who kicked multiple goals for the Tigers in the club's 130-point win over the Sunbury Lions, including a four-goal performance from Gemma Wright, who is having a fantastic season.
A season-defining clash awaits Gardiner Reserve as Gisborne hosts Craigieburn.
Gisborne is two games behind Craigieburn which sits in fourth on the ladder, so a win here will keep its season alive.
A loss for the Bulldogs will see them move three games and percentage behind the Eagles with three games left in the season.
It'll be the first meeting between these sides this year with young stars on show for both teams.
Amy O'Kelly missed Gisborne's last game but has been named in the best in all her nine appearances this season.
For Craigieburn, Sienna Scuderi continues to lead from the front alongside Harmony Tavita.
Both Tullamarine and Taylors Lakes will be looking to respond when they face off at Leo Dineen Reserve.
The Demons only found the solitary goal in their last match against Craigieburn, which came in the later stages of the third term on a tough afternoon for the club.
Taylors Lakes is yet to find a win in the 2026 campaign but was highly competitive against Roxburgh Park, only falling short by 11 points in a positive show for the Lions.
Despite a tough season to date, Courtney McCormack has been an undisputed superstar, racking up best players for fun and dominating week in week out in the middle for Taylors Lakes.
Co-Captain Tricia Devine has been a crucial piece to the puzzle for Tullamarine as she has fought hard throughout each game to give her Demons a chance.
Closing out the round in twilight footy at Clarke Oval is Sunbury Lions and East Sunbury.
The Lions will be hoping to put their best foot forward and continue improving to close out the year.
For the Thunder, they'll want to finish the season with more positive signs as they've shown this season.
These sides met in Round 1 with East Sunbury earning a drought-breaking victory by 41 points.
Ruby Taranto starred with four goals, while Molly Connell was dominant.
Hayley Parke and Karla Tentonello were strong for the Lions and will hope for more of the same.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
CAROLINE SPRINGS v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 1:50pm at Town Centre Recreation Reserve
KEILOR v STRATHMORE
Saturday 1:50pm at Joe Brown Oval
MOONEE VALLEY v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 1:50pm at Ormond Park
OAK PARK v ABERFELDIE
Saturday 2:15pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 10:00am at Cole Reserve
ROXBURGH PARK v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 10:00am at Lakeside Reserve
TULLAMARINE v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 11:50am at Leo Dineen Reserve
GISBORNE v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 11:50am at Gardiner Reserve
WESTMEADOWS v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 11:50am at Willowbrook Reserve
SUNBURY LIONS v EAST SUNBURY
Saturday 4:50pm at Clarke Oval
