Melbourne’s Austin at her damaging best

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 5, 2026

Melbourne defeated Collingwood by 21 points at Victoria Park, with newcomer Mia Austin kicking three goals and collecting a career-high 15 disposals. Austin’s strong performance helped fill the gap left by Eden Zanker’s departure, while Melbourne’s superior stoppage work and scoring efficiency proved crucial to maintaining their offensive strength.

Melbourne continued to solidify its forward line transformations in the AFLW off-season with a significant contribution from newcomer Mia Austin in a 21-point victory over Collingwood at Victoria Park on Saturday. Austin, acquired from Carlton, delivered a standout performance by kicking three goals and recording a career-high 15 disposals, bringing her season total to 16 goals—just two shy of the league’s leading goal scorers, Hawthorn’s Aine McDonagh and Geelong’s Chloe Scheer.

Austin’s impact extended beyond her scoring, as her ability to push up the ground offered Melbourne a versatile offensive option, especially important following the departure of Eden Zanker to Fremantle during last year’s trade period. Her dynamic presence in the forward line has eased concerns about Melbourne’s attacking structure.

Meanwhile, in the absence of captain Kate Hore, sidelined due to a neck injury with no definitive timetable for return, Megan Fitzsimon seized the opportunity to impress in the midfield. Fitzsimon amassed 23 disposals and a personal best of seven clearances, reflecting the depth available to coach Tom Wilson in the center of the field. She was supported effectively by Olivia Purcell, who gathered 32 disposals, and Tyla Hanks, who contributed 24 disposals along with a goal.

On the opposing side, Collingwood’s Ash Centra, the 2024 No.1 draft pick, demonstrated her growing importance as a midfielder against Melbourne’s strong center unit. Centra produced a career-high 29 disposals and 18 contested possessions, displaying both her power in stoppage situations and ability to advance the ball. Tarni White also maintained her strong form with 28 disposals from halfback, continuing her best season to date.

A decisive factor in Melbourne’s victory was their dominance at stoppages, where the Demons led scoring efficiency by converting 19 of 20 opportunities. This efficiency yielded a 26-21 advantage in clearances over Collingwood. The visitors, despite a strong midfield performance, struggled to capitalize on their chances inside the forward 50, ultimately hindering their scoring potential.

Melbourne’s balance between offensive potency and midfield resilience was instrumental in securing the win, underscoring their depth and adaptability as the season progresses.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.