The North Melbourne Werribee Kangaroos have made it two from two to start 2025, running away with a 19-point win over an accurate Williamstown on Anzac Day.

Former AFLW player Zoe Savarirayan kicked two goals as the Kangaroos overcame a seesawing opening to earn a 6.8 (44) to 4.1 (25) victory.

KANGAROOS v SEAGULLS Full match coverage and stats

Momentum ebbed and flowed for most of the morning at Arden St Oval, with five lead changes coming either side of half-time.

Despite controlling the territory game early, the Roos were held goalless in the first quarter, but fought back with three goals in the second term to take a slender one-point lead into half-time.

Maddie Di Cosmo (21 disposals, 12 contested possessions) was the standout in the middle, fighting through immense Seagulls pressure. The Kangaroos vice-captain recorded a team-high eight clearances and a goal from a superb diving mark in the second term.

It was over when…

A spell of repeat forward 50 entries in the final term resulted in an impressive overhead mark by Matilda Zander. Her goal saw the margin increase to 15 points.

The difference

Stella Reid (25 disposals, nine intercepts) played a major role in the Kangaroos’ inside 50 dominance (38-18), rebounding off half-back and putting in repeated defensive efforts to shut down a number of Seagulls attacks. 

The hero

Premiership midfielder Alana Barba was superb with ball in hand, picking up 16 disposals. Barba’s nine tackles also showed her relentless efforts on the defensive end.

What the coach said

VFLW coach Brett Gourley on the win: "We knew that Williamstown was always going to be tough game for us, they’re a really competitive team. We knew our girls had to be up for the fight right from the start.

"We feel like our method is a way which suits our style and our team we were able to gain some really good territory off the back of that.

"We’ve been able to get some really good time in forward half, and off the back of that we are able to score, which is really good."

On Maddie Di Cosmo & Stella Reid: "I think Di Cosmo has had a great start to the year. She’s been so consistent for us and the way in which she’s been able to play has added another layer to her game. She’s really got that outside edge to her game now, which has been fantastic.

"Stella (Reid) has been a fantastic addition to the group as well. She’s been so damaging across half-back and using that left boot to open up teams."

Next up 

North Melbourne Werribee will travel to Windy Hill to take on Essendon next Saturday, May 2. The opening bounce is scheduled for 11.05am AEST.

NORTH MELBOURNE          0.1     3.1    5.3    6.8   (44)
WILLIAMSTOWN                1.0     3.0    4.0    4.1   (25) 

GOALS 
North Melbourne: Savarirayan 2, Di Cosmo, Dojiok, Ortlepp, Zander
Williamstown: Crowley, De Angelis, Brett, Eaves

BEST
North Melbourne: Di Cosmo, Jackson, Tierney, Savarirayan, Ortlepp, Reid

LATE CHANGES
North Melbourne: Charlotte Blair (hamstring) replaced by Jemmika Douglas