VFLW Match Report: Round 10 vs Darebin
20/07/2026
The VFLW Round 10 saw the Darebin Falcons sneak a four-point win against the Sandringham Zebras at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
Our four quarter efforts highlighted immense pressure and resilience but were not enough to secure the four points.
The game kicked off with a quick goal from Kera Galaminda Gellar within the first minute. Kristy Stratton was all around the ground, racking up 22 disposals for the game. Her spoils and bursts out of midfield contests were prominent in delivering forward entries. Chloe Saultry hit the scoreboard thanks to Galaminda Gellar’s kick to advantage. Both Stratton and Courtney Aughtie were quick around contests, getting handball receives and clearing the ball out of congestion.
Defensive pressure was strong with Alana Porter’s tackles and Sophie Casey’s aerial contests. However, Darebin managed to kick four of their five goals in the first term with the scores, 4.1 (25) to the Falcons and 2.0 (12) to the Zebras at quarter time.
We had a competitive start to the second term with Sunday Hollingsworth and Piper Phelan’s intercept marks. Our defence showcased clean skills when switching it out of the back half with Ali Hynes, Erin Woodford and Mackenzie Williams working hard down back.
On debut, Jacinta Boyd’s tackle rewarded her with a set shot for her first VFLW goal. We shifted the game’s momentum with Deanna Joliffe’s fast one-two with Galaminda Gellar, keeping the Falcons goalless in the second term. Hynes also held strong with a goal saving mark. We trailed by nine points at half time with the scores, 4.3 (27) to Darebin and 3.0 (18) to Sandringham.
The third quarter saw the debutant, Boyd with a forward entry, allowing Jo Lin to turn around and snap one from the corner of the goals. Casey’s pressure continued to shine with a brave smother, along with Isobel Hartog’s aerial contests preventing the Falcons from marking cleanly.
Lin’s kick to the hotspot resulted in Sophie Locke adding to the tally as we led by one point, 31 to 30. Stratton remained agile with clean pick ups and D50 exits, whilst Phelan laid some strong tackles. We went into the final break trailing by five points.
The final term was tense. Williams joined Jolliffe as the final line of defence to keep the Falcons goalless. Our backline stayed composed whilst Porter impressed with her accurate kicking, dominance in the air and her ability to run and carry and hit up the forward line. Galaminda Gellar’s quick feet allowed her to sneak up on a Falcon and lay a big tackle that was rewarded with a free kick.
Despite our efforts to push to the final siren, we could not take back the lead before the clock ran out.
We’ll turn our attention to next week when we take on the Western Bulldogs on Saturday 25 July at Mission Whitten Oval, 11:05am.
SANDRINGHAM 2.0 (12), 3.0 (18), 5.1 (31), 5.3 (33)
DAREBIN 4.1 (25), 4.3 (27), 5.6 (36), 5.7 (37)
Goals
Boyd, Galaminda Gellar, Lin, Locke, Saultry
Photos: Archie Edelsten and Anthony Vella
Written by Amelia Tran - Sandringham FC Media