The 2025 rebel VFLW season kicks off this weekend, with Collingwood set for a big year.
With the Pies finishing just two premiership points shy of making finals in 2024, Collingwood will be looking to go further in the upcoming season.
Despite missing finals, the VFLW program still saw the immense development of players, including Carly Remmos, Lilly Pearce, and Jemma Ramsdale, who all received their AFLW opportunities having signed with Collingwood, Geelong, and GWS respectively as injury replacement players in the 2024 season.
Jordan Ivey and Sarah Ingram were also elevated to the AFLW, both being used as top up players for an injury-riddled Collingwood AFLW side in 2024.
With the Pies kicking their campaign off this Saturday against Casey, here are all your questions answered ahead of the 2025 season.
Who’s on the list?
The VFLW program were busy in the off-season, with plenty of new faces to don the black and white in 2025.
While 2024 captain Megan Ryan has moved on, reigning VFLW Best and Fairest winner Dominique Carbone will captain in 2025 after she signed on following an impressive season as captain for the Western Bulldogs’ VFLW side.
Inaugural Sydney AFLW midfielder Lauren Szigeti has also been welcomed to Collingwood after playing 20 games at the top level and will serve as vice-captain, while a host of former AFLW players have also joined the Pies, including Tamara Henry (Adelaide), Lily-Rose Williamson (Essendon), Caitlin Sargent (Essendon), Tahlia Fellows (Hawthorn), Amelia Peck (Richmond), Courtney Jones (Richmond), Molly Eastman (Richmond), Maddie Boyd (St Kilda), and Caitlin Matthews (St Kilda).
Ivey, Ingram, and Ramsdale all return to the VFLW side following their stints in the AFLW, while Remmos will remain on Collingwood’s AFLW list.
Ins: Charlotte Brewer, Jacinta Baxter, Abbey Vicino, Dominique Carbone, Amelie Gladman, Chloe Hunt, Amelia Peck, Akayla Peterson, Courtney Jones, Bella Clarke, Annie Muir, Molly Eastman, Tamara Henry, Maddie Boyd, Tahlia Sanger, Lauren Szigeti, Caitlin Matthews, Sienna Courtney, Zoe McCurdy, Lilly Leighton, Lily-Rose Williamson, Tahlia Fellows, Sophia de Castella, Mackenzie Bourne, Millie Lang, Tayla Christensen, Caitlin Sargent.
Outs: Carly Remmos, Lilly Pearce, Charli Granville, Megan Ryan, Mel Freeman, Jade Hillas, Kristen Tyquin, Kaitlyn Day, Rebecca Grant, Jayde Van Dyk, Mikalee Maroney, Olivia Smith, Hannah Dyson, Alessia Francese, Melissa Maizels, Hannah Fosbrooke, Sachi Degiacomi, Grace Osborne, Steph Williams.
What does the fixture look like?
The 14-Round rebel VFLW competition has been moved to a new season window, with the 2025 season to be played from April to August, rather than the March to July dates the competition has seen for the previous two seasons.
The Pies will kick off their season at Casey Fields against the Demons, before they head to Windy Hill to face the Bombers in the traditional ANZAC-weekend clash in Round 2.
Collingwood will enjoy their first home game of the season in Round 3 against Carbone’s former side in the Western Bulldogs. The Pies will then have a string of home games across Victoria Park and AIA Vitality Centre from Rounds 5 to 8, including reigning VFLW premiers North Melbourne in Round 6.
What about the coaching structure?
Tom Cashin returns as head coach in what will be his second year at the helm, with three new assistant coaches surrounding him in 2025.
Former AFLW premiership player Sarah Perkins – who played 40 games and kicked 26 goals at the highest level – will serve as forwards coach this year. New backline coach Tom Woodlock has come across from the Western Bulldogs’ VFLW side where he spent the last four seasons, and Tom Hams joins Collingwood as the midfield coach for 2025.
How can I stay up to date?
All VFLW matches are streamed live and free via AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
Entry to all VFLW games is free, giving ample opportunity to see the team in action this year.
