Darebin Falcons smash Western Bulldogs for third straight VFLW win

Darebin Falcons have marched back up the VFLW ladder with three straight wins as Angelica Gogos has a field day against her former club.

Angelica Gogos in action for Darebin Falcons. Picture; Daniel Pockett

In just seven weeks Darebin Falcons have almost equalled their total wins from the past two VFLW seasons combined.

The 4-2 Falcons are riding high after an 80-point belting of Western Bulldogs and hit fourth on the ladder.

The club is just one win away from the five it won between 2019 and 2021, a remarkable turnaround under first-year coach Kate Tyndall.

Darebin is riding a three game win streak having knocked off North Melbourne, Carlton and the Bulldogs and travel to Round 1 victim Williamstown this Saturday.

Tyndall said lots of little things had helped turn the traditional powerhouse around.

Darebin celebrate a VFLW win earlier this season.

“We’ve got a great coaching group, including a really good (strength and conditioning) team, a mindset coach, so the team around the players is really good,” she said.

“We’ve had some new players come in, which has been helpful, and we’ve been fortunate that our squad has been healthy.

“And there’s just a drive across the squad, so even players that aren’t playing are still training and knocking on the door, which keeps other people wanting to get better to keep their spot.”

However, the early-season success certainly won’t be allowed to breed complacency.

“If I had a dollar for every time someone asked ‘are you keeping a lid on it’.

“We’re really happy with the progress we’ve made, we knew at the start of the season we were on a journey of improvement.

“We had to improve, you’ve got to when you win one game and are on the bottom of the ladder and I think the players are really enjoying the momentum we’ve been able to generate.

“In terms of getting carried away, we’re also realistic about where we’re at, there’s a huge gap to the top teams and that’s where we want to get to.”

Darebin Falcons coach Kaye Tyndall.

The arrival of former Western Bulldogs AFLW star Angelica Gogos has certainly been a boost.

The star midfielder has averaged 22.2 disposals per game – fourth in the competition – and 9.3 tackles – third in the competition – this season and sits on top of the VFLW Coaches votes.

Gogos (23 disposals, 12 tackles, seven clearances and a goal) and fellow former Bulldog Nicole Callinan (18 touches) had a field day against their former club.

Meanwhile, Alyssa Mifsud impressed in attack with 18 disposals, six marks and four goals.

Tyndall said Gogos’ arrival had had several impacts.

“I’m not surprised she’s on top (of the Coaches’ votes),” Tyndall said.

“Ange has been outstanding for us, not just on-field but off-field as well, she provides a lot of leadership.

“Her ability to get from contest to contest and put her head over the footy, not just high disposals but high tackles.

“We’re really happy with how she’s going and she’s enjoying her footy and, so far, injury free which hadn’t been the game for her in the last couple of AFLW seasons.

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“I think (Gogos and Callinan) they enjoying playing together and they looked forward to returning to Whitten Oval.

“They bring out the best in each other as well, we maintain that if you’re enjoying your footy you’re probably playing your best footy.”

It could only get better for Darebin as the season progresses with talented trio Mia Haas, Lulu Beatty and Tannah Hurst available in the coming weeks after the NAB League Girls season finished.

The Falcons look to continue their winning run against Williamstown on Saturday and back-up the club’s epic Round 1 comeback victory.