VFLW Match Report: Round 5 vs Williamstown
15/06/2026
A wet and contested game at DSV Stadium saw the Sandringham Zebras go down to Williamstown by 33 points.
Williamstown started the game strongly, winning the opening centre clearance and immediately locking the ball in their forward half. The defensive set-up of both sides came with limited opportunities, which looked for someone to take advantage of.
Courtney Aughtie (eight disposals and seven tackles) held strong down back, applying pressure and helping keep Williamstown to just two goals in the first term. Lily Skinner (nine tackles) was lively early, applying pressure around the contest, while Bridget Koczek took animportant intercept mark to slow Williamstown’s momentum in their forward half, allowing us time to reset.
Grace Hodder got us started 10 minutes into the first term with her relentless pressure earning a holding the ball free kick 35m out before she calmly converted for our first goal of the game.
Despite continuous entries inside our forward 50, we were unable to capitalise and add scoreboard pressure.
The second term followed a similar pattern. Williamstown brought significant pressure from the opening ball up. We held up defensively and were able to compete strongly around the contest; however, we were unable to capitalise on our defensive and forward half gains.
By the main break, Williamstown had extended their lead to 16 points.
We lifted our intensity, particularly around stoppages in the third. Ava Bibby continued to work hard in the ruck, finishing the game with 19 hit-outs, providing our midfielders with plenty of opportunities.
Going into the final break, we looked to build on the pressure and limit Williamstown’s scoring opportunities, holding the Seagulls to just one goal in the final quarter.
Felicity Hilford remained strong up forward in just her third game in the yellow, black and blue, with 14 disposals and four tackles showing many promising signs for the future.
Despite our continued efforts, the wet weather made it hard to transition cleanly.
The final term brought some of our best attacking efforts, generating multiple inside-50 entries and spreading the workload across multiple players. Williamstown remained composed and efficient in front of goal, converting their fifth major of the day halfway through the last quarter.
One area of the game that showed immense fight and persistence was the tackle pressure from everyone in all areas of the ground, overall collecting 105 tackles to Williamstown’s 69 for the game.
Mackenzie Williams was strong down back with three marks, as well as Charlotte Taylor, producing nine tackles and 11 disposals. Hodder led from the front all day, finishing the game with an outstanding 18 tackles.
Although the scoreboard didn’t reflect the efforts on the day, we showed promising signs and opportunities for growth.
We return to Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday 21st June for a double header against Tasmania at 10:05 am, followed by the VFL at 1:05pm.
Scores
Sandringham: 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0 (6)
Williamstown: 2.2, 3.4, 4.5, 5.9 (39)
Disposals: Hodder 24, Jolliffe 18, Hilford 14, Clarke 14
Goals: Hodder
Photos: Anthony Vella
Written by Sophie Pittard - Sandringham FC Media