By Malaya Rodezno, Williamstown Media
Saturday delivered a statement win from the Seagulls over Collingwood in near perfect conditions at DSV Stadium, securing the 2026 VFLW minor premiership.
Williamstown welcomed Lilly Pearce, Maighan Fogas, Yasmin Welsford and Elise Vella back into the side for the final game of the home-and-away season.
From the opening bounce, the Seagulls showed determination and grit, but the contest quickly became a hard-fought battle around the stoppages.
With the Seagulls trapping the ball inside forward 50, Collingwood struggled to work it out of defence. Naomi Ferres capitalised on the pressure, intercepting the ball before running into goal and slotting through the opening goal of the game.
The Seagulls continued to share the ball beautifully in attack, Neve Crowley adding another goal to the scoreboard. Mia Zielinski put the ball into Crowley’s path, allowing her to run into it and calmly slot through Williamstown’s second goal of the game.
Building on their momentum, the Seagulls pressed forward again, finding Crowley who kicked her second goal in the first quarter.
Williamstown led by 19 points at the first break.
Early in the second term, the Seagulls continued their scoring momentum, with Zielinski adding to the tally.
Just moments later, Zielinski struck again, booting her second goal in less than three minutes to extend Williamstown’s lead.
Lilu Hung hunted down her opponent, earning a free kick from the tackle before delivering the ball into the path of Taelah Smith, who calmly converted the set shot.
Hung led the Seagulls in tackles, setting the tone for the contest with her defensive pressure.
Williamstown took a 38-point lead into halftime.
To begin the third, Zielinski kicked a goal from the right pocket to kick the Seagulls away from Collingwood.
Moving the ball from end to end, Williamstown again looked dangerous in attack, with Gaby De Angelis streaming down the wing. De Angelis squared the ball in the hotspot, where Eliza Straford clearly gathered before handballing to Emily Eaves, who finished the passage with a goal.
Moments after, Collingwood were able to convert their first goal of the game fifteen minutes into the third quarter.
Williamtown led by 44 points entering the final break.
Extending Williamstown’s margin again, Zielinski kicked her fourth goal of the game in the early stages of the fourth quarter.
Collingwood kicked the final two goals of the game, however, Williamstown remained in control to secure a comprehensive 37-point victory.
Leading from the front were Taelah Smith and Bella Smith. Taelah Smith finished with 23 disposals, five marks, five tackles and a goal, while Bella Smith collected 21 disposals, five tackles and five clearances.
The Seagulls’ leading goal kicker for the season Mia Zielinski, once again proved influential, finishing with four goals and 13 disposals while providing a reliable target inside 50.
The Seagulls’ back six held strong, keeping the Magpies goalless until half time and limiting Collingwood to just two goals for the game.
It was a season-shaping win that showcased Williamstown’s intensions for 2026. The Seagulls will now turn their attention to the finals, entering September from the top of the ladder.
Full Time Score
Williamstown: 9.5 (59)
Collingwood: 3.4 (22)
Goal Kickers: Zielinski (4), Crowley (2), Smith, Ferres, Eaves
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