Collingwood AFLW coach Sam Wright will step down after the final-round match against Essendon on Sunday, ending his three-season tenure. The Magpies have won just one of 11 games this season and sit on the bottom of the ladder. Captain Ruby Schleicher has already announced she is leaving the club, and other players are reportedly considering departures. Players and staff are said to be frustrated with list management, development coaching and medical treatment. Wright said he was proud of his time at the club and that Collingwood remains committed to the AFLW program.
Harry Kane has won the Ballon d'Or, becoming the first Englishman to receive the prestigious prize in 25 years. The Bayern Munich striker scored 73 goals for club and country last season and led England to third place at the World Cup. Earlier, Alexia Putellas won her third women's Ballon d'Or. The Spain midfielder ended the three-year reign of teammate Aitana Bonmati. Bonmati was not on this year's shortlist after breaking her leg in December.
Manchester United striker Elisabeth Terland scored a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw against Manchester City in the Women's Super League derby. Bunny Shaw had put City ahead in the 66th minute after a pass from Mary Fowler. The result ended City's unbeaten start to the season and let Chelsea move top on goal difference after its 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. Liverpool drew 2-2 with London City, and Aston Villa beat Everton 3-2. Charlton Athletic lost 1-0 to Birmingham City and remains pointless.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Western Jets player Tayla Olivieri is hoping to be selected on an AFLW list at the end of the year. She started playing football at 14, after joining her friends. Olivieri has since aimed to play at a higher level and represented Vic Metro at the under-18 national championships this year. She was also invited to the AFLW state combine, where she spoke with several clubs. She said Keilor had a major impact on her career and that she will keep working on her game before the draft.
Canberra United start their new era today against the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford. The club secured new owners in July and survived a difficult period. Coach Antoni Jagarinec and striker Michelle Heyman are key signings, joined by several young players. Both clubs have new owners, and the Mariners opened their season with a 4-2 win over Brisbane. The match starts at 3 pm.
Football Victoria has released its provisional competition structures for next year, including a new senior women's community league. Several clubs, among them Melbourne Knights, Hume City, North Sunshine, Keilor Park and Whittlesea United, must still meet membership compliance requirements before their status is confirmed. Green Gully has been relegated to VPL1, while North Sunshine has dropped to VPL2. Football Victoria head of competitions Jimmy Whitehead said the body wants to keep pathways clear and competitions accessible and sustainable.
The Matildas bounced back from a 4-2 loss to Germany with a 7-1 win over Haiti in France. Midfielder Leticia McKenna scored twice, boosting her chances of selection for her first World Cup. Caitlin Foord, Daniela Galic, Clare Wheeler and Holly McNamara also scored. Captain Sam Kerr played a major role in two goals despite ankle soreness. Coach Joe Montemurro said more time is needed before choosing the World Cup squad.
Leticia McKenna scored twice as the Matildas beat Haiti 7-1 in Chambly, France, on Tuesday, Australian time Wednesday. The win came after a 4-2 defeat to Germany. Steph Catley was absent, and Sam Kerr was assessed for ankle soreness after the Germany match, though she played a key role in two goals. Haiti's Melchie Dumornay equalised early before McKenna restored the lead just before halftime. Caitlin Foord, Daniela Galić, Clare Wheeler and Holly McNamara also scored, and the team kept its No.15 world ranking, placing it in pot two for the World Cup draw.
Leticia McKenna scored twice in the first half as the Matildas beat Haiti 7–1 in Chambly, France. An own goal by Haiti defender Kethna Louis before the break added to the lead. Caitlin Foord, Daniela Galić, Clare Wheeler and Holly McNamara scored the remaining goals after half-time. Sam Kerr was involved in two of the goals despite ankle soreness. The win came after a 4–2 loss to Germany and keeps Australia at number 15 in the world rankings.
Westside Strikers have appointed David Winton and Emmet Sheehan as coaches for next year's FV state league 5 north-west season. The pair have won back-to-back promotions together, with titles at Plenty Valley Lions and Balmoral. The club parted ways with coach Johnny Cvetanoski earlier. The Strikers finished bottom two this season and were set to be relegated, one point short of staying up. The club also re-appointed Rob Nedelkov as coach of its senior women's team, which won a 2026 championship and premiership and gained promotion to state league 2 for 2027.
The Matildas lost 4-2 to Germany in an away friendly in Karlsruhe, ahead of next year's FIFA Women's World Cup. Germany led 2-0 before captain Sam Kerr headed in just before halftime. Camilla Kuver scored for Germany in the 83rd minute. Holly McNamara scored a late consolation for Australia, but Sjoeke Nusken scored the winner for Germany. Tori Tumeth made her debut off the bench in the second half.
Germany beat the Matildas 4-2 in Karlsruhe as both sides prepare for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. Germany scored twice early, and Sam Kerr headed in a goal just before half-time. Camilla Kuver scored for Germany in the 83rd minute. Holly McNamara scored a late goal for Australia, but Sjoeke Nusken struck the final goal for Germany. Defender Tori Tumeth made her debut off the bench for the Matildas.
Keilor has signed several new players for next year's Essendon District Football League women's season. New coach Beejay Johnson is building a squad for seniors, reserves and under-19s. Stephanie Rozario, Heidi Gifford, Jade Murrell, Jesse Dempster and Caprice Lyons-Jones have all joined the club. Co-captains Sophie Cameron and Laura Wright have re-signed, along with Scarlett O'Donnell, Maddison Cotten and Amelia Grech. The club will play in division 1 next season after going winless this year. Johnson says the club has a strong foundation to build on.
Ange Lamanna has been appointed as the new women’s coach for the Hillside Sharks in the Essendon District Football League premier division. Lamanna, who has over 17 years of coaching experience, previously guided Diamond Creek women’s to a premiership in 2025. He expressed excitement about coaching in a strong league and aims to retain players while introducing a competitive playing style. The club will host a meet-the-coach night on 7 October at the Sporting Globe Watergardens.
