2026 – a season to remember for our VFLW program
Last weekend, our VFLW team made history.
For the first time since entering the competition, our women fought their way through a fiercely contested finals series, to earn their place in the VFLW Grand Final.
Having secured the Minor Premiership after an outstanding home-and-away season, seeing our women take the field at IKON Park against reigning premiers North Melbourne-Werribee in front of a large and passionate crowd was a special moment for our Club.
While the result ultimately did not fall our way, the performance demonstrated – once again – everything this team has represented throughout the season: courage, toughness, humility and an unwavering commitment to each another.
What incredible support surrounded our team on the day. The ground was filled with proud parents, grandparents, siblings, relatives, friends, members, sponsors, board directors, Club staff and supporters who travelled to be part of the occasion. The atmosphere created by the WFC faithful was extraordinary and demonstrated the deep connection that exists between this football club, its people and community.
And it was particularly encouraging to see so many young supporters wearing blue and gold and embracing our women’s program. The growth of the VFLW competition and the connection our team has built with younger generations is helping attract new audiences to our Club, creating a strong foundation for the future.
Williamstown continues to deliver on its long-standing role as a genuine pathway club, with a number of our VFLW team taking the field on Sunday coming through local junior ranks. This is a powerful reflection of the opportunities our Club provides, from community football through to VFL and AFL level, and a testament to the strength of football development within our region.
This does not happen by accident.
On behalf of the Club, I would like to pay special tribute to our VFLW coaching and football department, led by the VFLW Coach of the Year, Paul Groves. Paul’s leadership, professionalism and unwavering belief in the group have helped build one of the competition’s strongest programs and have been instrumental in delivering a season that will be remembered for many years to come.
I also want to acknowledge the efforts of our administration, operations and game-day teams. Grand Final week places extraordinary demands on a football club and our people once again rose to the occasion. A sincere thanks to Luke Attard, Lee Herrick, Mietta Williams and the many staff and volunteers who worked behind the scenes to ensure the week and match day were such a success.
As we reflect on this VFLW season there is so much to be proud of, highlighted at last week’s VFL/VFLW awards evening:
- Paul Groves – VFLW Coach of the Year
- Emily Eaves – VFLW Best and Fairest
- Mia Zielinski – VFLW Leading Goal Kicker
- Emily Eaves, Mia Zielinski, Laura Blue, Georgia Howes and Naomi Ferres – VFLW Team of the Year
Speaking at the VFLW Grand Final presentation on game day, VFL Competition Operations Manager Jennie Loughnan made a special acknowledgement of our Club’s commitment to, and investment in, women’s football, recognising the remarkable efforts of our women’s program in competing at the highest level as a standalone football club.
To our VFLW players and their families, coaches, football staff, volunteers, members and supporters: thank you.
You have helped create a season that has elevated our women’s program to new heights and strengthened the future of the Williamstown Football Club. This team has inspired our community, created lifelong memories and established a benchmark that future generations of Seagulls can aspire to.
History will remember this group as Williamstown’s first VFLW Grand Final team, a group that made our Club proud and showed exactly what it means to wear the blue and gold.
Go Towners!
Merryl Dooley
President
Williamstown Football Club
