VFLW Match Report: Round 10 vs Darebin

30/06/2025

The Zebras have defeated the Darebin Falcons by five points at Genis Steel Oval, keeping their spot in the top two alive in the 2025 Rebel VFLW season.

We dominated possession, 54 per cent to the Falcons’ 46 per cent.

Photography by Jake Phillips

Zebras secure seventh win of season 2025 over Darebin

It was a grind of a first quarter. We used our ball movement well, finding transition and hitting our open targets. Stacey Livingstone was solid in the backline, taking some strong marks and using her experience well, reading the play. Sophie Locke did well creating contest opportunities and putting pressure on her opponent. Grace Hodder was crafty with her tackling pressure throughout the quarter, coming up with some great opportunities and winning the footy back late in the quarter.

The Falcons were going for every one-on-one contest, creating havoc in the backline and lifting their work rate for the remainder of the quarter, but we held onto a two-point lead at quarter time.

Q1: Sandringham 0.0 (0) Western Bulldogs 0.2 (2)

For majority of the second quarter, both teams were relentless with the pressure. We did a great job giving the Falcons no space or any easy opportunity in front of goal. 

Abbey Tregellis had a brilliant impact on the game, going for every contest at both ends of the ground. Tayla Kearns also made an impact.

Yasmeen Janschek had a break out quarter in the ruck, using her body well, and applied brilliant pressure on her opponent.

Despite the Falcons scoring a behind late in the quarter, we maintained a one-point lead at half time.

Q2: Zebras 0.1 (1) Zebras 0.2 (2)

In the early stages of the third quarter, Sophie Locke scored our first goal of the game.

We found space, cleared stoppages and used our one on ones to our advantage.

The Falcons hit back with a goal, with both teams finding their flow in attack.

Hodder continued to be relentless with her tackling pressure.

Makhaela Bluhm took some brilliant marks in attack, forcing a Falcons turnover in our forward 50.

At the halfway stage of the quarter, Locke found open space in front of the goal square, kicking her second goal of the game.

We did well, putting pressure on the Falcons defenders, using that fast break out of the backline and using our speed to our advantage.

Despite the Falcons threatening to score, we maintained a five point-lead at three quarter time.

Q3: Zebras 2.2 (14) Falcons 1.3 (9)

In the final term, we continued to build our pressure around the contest, lifting the pressure in the backline, and making our opportunities count.

Neither side scored a goal in the final term, but we held on to win by five points on the final siren.

Full Time:

Sandringham Zebras:  0.2   0.2   2.2   2.3   (15)

Darebin Falcons:           0.0   0.1   1.3   1.4   (10)

Goalkickers: Sophie Locke (2)

Best Players: Sophie Locke, Natasha Entwistle, Chloe Saultry, Yasmeen Janschek, Ali Hynes, Imogen Evans

Visit the VFL/W website for full stats. 

The Zebs will take on Box Hill at Box Hill City Oval on Sunday 6 July at 11:35am.

Written by Elly Kirlis- Sandringham FC Media