By Lauren Wood, Williamstown Media
The Seagulls sit fifth on the ladder heading into the final month of the home-and-away season and will be fighting to bounce back after a defeat to Port Melbourne last weekend.
Darebin, sitting eighth on the ladder, will be searching for win number six against a Williamstown side with a few startling changes to the team sheet.
18-year-old forward Talia Motta has had the call up to make her VFLW debut as a Seagull, bringing with her a decorated junior resume and a massive goal-kicking tally from local level.
Motta came up through the ranks at Greenvale in the EDFL, playing her 100th game for the Club in 2024 before moving across to Strathmore this season. Since Round 4, she’s been a consistent feature in Strathmore’s senior women’s side, booting 24 goals in 9 games.
A former Calder Cannons and Vic Metro representative, Motta also played in a senior women’s premiership at Greenvale, and now takes the next step in her career at Williamstown.
After undergoing ankle surgery in pre-season, Phoebe Chisholm is also ready to play her first VFLW game in 2025.
The third-year Seagull and newly appointed deputy leader has made a return through the VAFA, playing two games with the Old Yarra Cobras and proving she’s ready for VFLW level again.
Despite having only eight games in the blue and gold to her name, Chisholm’s leadership down back will be a welcome boost as finals draw closer.
Ruck Krystal Russell has been recalled to the side after sitting out last week’s clash with Port Melbourne.
Despite a Round 10 performance that saw 25 hit-outs, Russell was omitted, but now reclaims the ruck mantle in the absence of Georgia Howes and Cat O’Bryan, both still part of the rehab group.
The Gulls will be relying on her aerial dominance to take charge in the middle after struggling to gain the ascendancy last Saturday.
Coming out of the side this week is Zara Guss, who suffered a soleus injury in the first quarter against Port Melbourne, while Mia D’Agostino and Yasmin Welsford have been omitted.
Two Seagulls are expecting milestone matches on Sunday, with Teagan Brett and Izzy Khoury both selected to play their 50th VFLW games.
Brett has been a dangerous presence inside 50 since joining Williamstown in 2023. With 41 of her 50 VFLW games in the blue and gold, Brett has also had stints at Carlton (6 games) and Richmond (2 games).
She has kicked 23 goals for Williamstown so far and continues to be a high-pressure forward who creates opportunities and energy around the contest.
Her football journey began as a junior in Shepparton, before playing for Vic Country in the 2019 AFLW U18 Championships, and then signing with Richmond VFLW.
After COVID, she joined Carlton for two seasons before reuniting with coach Liam Cavanagh at Williamstown, having previously played 26 local games at Coburg Football Club, where Cavanagh was coaching at the time.
Meanwhile, Khoury reaches the 50-game milestone having played 7 games for Williamstown in 2025, following 28 at Carlton and 14 at Box Hill.
The tough midfielder joined the Seagulls this year after a big 2024 at Carlton that saw her claim the Coaches Award and place third in the Best and Fairest. Previously a Rising Star winner at the Blues and a train-on player for their AFLW program, Khoury has slotted seamlessly into the Gulls engine room.
After missing Rounds 4 to 7 with an ankle injury, Khoury has played the last four games and is in strong form heading into her milestone match.
With an exciting lineup ready to ruffle some Falcon feathers, Williamstown’s Round 12 clash will headline a double header at Genis Steel Oval, with our VFL side to follow against the Northern Bullants at 2:05pm.
Match Details:
Sunday July 13th, at 10:35am
Genis Steel Oval, Preston
Can’t make it to the game? Watch live at afl.com.au or stay updated with live match scores via Williamstown Football Club’s Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Team Selection:
