All the key players ahead of the 2024 VFLW finals series

The VFLW finals will kick off this weekend and each club will have plenty of talent in their ranks. These are the players who could have a big impact for their side.

Sharnie Whiting led Williamstown’s goalkicking. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos)

Just six teams remain in the hunt for the VFLW premiership success.

The finals series will kick off this weekend.

We’ve had a look at all the key players for each side.

THE KEY PLAYERS

WILLIAMSTOWN

India Barker: Doesn’t need much of the ball out on a wing to break a game open.

Emily Eaves: Enters the finals in strong form after a big last fortnight. An important part of the Seagulls’ line-up.

Sharnie Whiting: Finished as he side’s leading goalkicker this season with 22 majors, two behind the competition’s best.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Dominique Carbone: The skipper has led from the front all season. A tough in and under midfielder who knows how to find plenty of the footy.

Keeley Hardingham: One of the best talls in the competition during her first year with the Dogs. The young ruck is in the game in the air and at ground level. Can also go forward and hit the scoreboard.

Jaimi Tabb: A powerful forward who can make an impact with spurts in the middle. A reliable goalkicker who can win her fair share of clearances.

Tamara Luke has enjoyed a strong season. (Photo by Rob Lawson/AFL Photos)

BOX HILL

Gabby Collingwood: Usually splits her time between the middle of the ground and up forward. Across the ground, she is a strong marking option. A must watch.

Tamara Luke: The experienced tall is capable of turning a game in the ruck of up forward. Remains in the contest when the ball hits the ground.

Danika Spamer: Doesn’t need much of the ball to hurt opposition teams with her smart use.

NORTH MELBOURNE

Alana Barba: The ex-AFLW Bomber has flourished in the middle of the ground for the Roos this year. While she finds plenty of the footy, she is more than capable of swinging forward and kicking a goal.

Madeleine Di Cosmo: Finds plenty of the footy but also more than capable of applying physical pressure at the source, averaging 7.9 tackles a game.

Nyakoat Dojiok: The athletic tall has been pivotal forward of centre for the Roos this season. Dojiok kicked 22 goals for the season and has eight goals in her last three outings.

Ruby Mahony of the Bombers. (Photo by Rob Lawson/AFL Photos)

ESSENDON

Eloise Chaston: The Bombers love the ball in her hands out of defence. Uses the ball by foot well.

Ruby Mahony: One of the leading ball winners in the competition this season, averaging just over 19.1 disposals.

Jayda Richardson: Coming off a big performance in the final game of the season where she had 16 disposals and kicked three goals against Geelong.

PORT MELBOURNE

Courteney Bromage: A small forward capable of bobbing up with a goal or two. Let her goalside and opposition defenders will be in trouble.

Lauren Caruso: One of the best clearance players in the VFLW this season. Box Hill put some big minutes into her when the two sides drew last weekend.

Belinda Woolcock: In her first year with Port, Woolcock has been an important part in defence.

HOW THE FINALS SERIES WORKS

1 v 2 — Williamstown v Western Bulldogs

The winner will move through to the second semi-final with the opportunity to play for a direct passage through to the grand final. For the loser, a place in the first semi-final awaits against the lowest ranked team from the semi-finals.

We're on the path to the 2024 rebel VFLW Grand Final 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gjYi5xIfrN

— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) June 26, 2024

Elimination finals

The highest ranked winner will earn a place in the second semi-final against either Willi or the Dogs. The lowest ranked winner will move through to the first semi-final.

If the fifth and sixth placed sides were to win their respective games, fifth would move through to the second semi.

Dates for other finals are yet to be confirmed.

The grand final will be played at Port Melbourne’s ETU Stadium on Sunday, July 21.