Darebin has announced an impressive leadership group for the fast approaching 2025 VFLW season. This remarkable group- Caitlin Bunker, Riley Christgoergl, Alyssa Mifsud, Stephanie Simpson and Lulu Beatty- contains high performance players, who are consistently recognised for their leadership strengths.
Caitlin “Bunks” Bunker was returned as Captain after co-captaining in 2024. Bunks has strong communication skills, and a real commitment to be a driving force on and off the field. She has built both her reputation and skills lead teams at elite standards since joining VFLW in 2019, a leader and premiership player at Collingwood before joining Darebin in 2024.
The Falcons are built on connection, community, and unity across the whole club—values that mean a lot to me. Leading a club with such a strong history in women’s and gender-diverse sport, and one that prioritises inclusivity, is something I’m incredibly proud of. The Falcons have always been leaders in this space, fighting for our right to play and be respected. I’m grateful to lead a club so strong in its identity, where I can stay true to my own values.
And I don’t take it lightly, knowing the incredible leaders who’ve come before me. This year’s team has a really special feeling to it, too – everyone has a real sense of care towards each other, there’s a level of genuine connection and teamwork that extends throughout the squad, and that’s something I’m really excited to be a part of.
Riley Christgoergl was named Vice Captain. Mostly appropriately for the multi-sport Darebin Women’s Sports Club, Christgoergl enjoyed success on the soccer field before starting Aussie Rules in 2017. Riley was selected to play for Victoria in her first season, and was elevated to VFLW in 2019. She was captain of Western Bulldogs in 2021 and 2022 and Vice Captain at Collingwood in 2023, and selected as Vice Captain at the Darebin Falcons in 2024. Riley is known for her ability to connect with players on the field, and creating a wall of defence through voice and actions.
In 2025, the VFLW Senior Leaders are Alyssa Mifsud and Steph Simpson. Both are well known to the Falcs supporters screaming from the line for their ability to step up in the big moments. Mifsud’s ability to read the game is phenomenal and she co-ordinates well with the younger squad members in action, often in the thick of the contest and under pressure. Her voice at training is well respected and her presence at the ball stoppages always brings a chance for the team to move the ball forward. Simpson has been a long-standing leader in the VFLW program, serving as captain since 2019. Steph’s support of all her team mates sets a standard for everyone around her. Her own game has that touch of athletic excitement and flair with ball in hand, and a strong commitment to creating pressure across the ground.
Another well known club contributor, Lulu Beatty was named 2025’s Emerging Leader. The youngster has been a standout at underage level with the Darebin Falcons, leading to selection in the Northern Knights at the top statewide talent competition in 2021. Beatty was named co-captain of the Northern Knights and made the Victorian Metro team at the National Carnival team in 2022. She made her VFLW debut in 2021 with Darebin, and then played with Carlton in 2023. Beatty was drafted into the AFLW early in 2023. Injury prevented consistent game time during the next couple of seasons, and Beatty is now returning to the Falcons VFLW team with added professionalism and expertise. Lulu also coaches and works with the Falcons Academy (https://falcons.org.au/falcons-academy/)
Each of us brings different strengths, which makes us a well-rounded group, and we’ve also kept a consistent leadership team from 2024, which makes it easy to work together.
Beyond that, we have incredible leadership across the entire playing group—players who’ve been in the competition since the beginning, premiership winners, and some seriously talented young players. Our focus is on helping every player find and use their strengths, while tapping into the depth of experience across the squad to be as competitive as possible this season.
See the 2025 VFLW squad in action this weekend-Round 1 will be Easter Saturday 20 April at Trevor Barker Beach Oval against the newly named Sandringham (formerly Southern Saints)
2025 Fixture Summary: San (a), WB (a), PM (h), Col (h), Car (a), Cas (h), Gee (h), Box (a), NM (a), San (h), Ess (a), Wil (h), Car (h), Gee (a)
Details of all games and match videos can be found on the official AFL app and website. https://www.afl.com.au/