Premier C Women’s: Season Preview

Aidan Sinclair

The 2021 VAFA season sees a completely new look Premier C Women’s competition to that of the one in 2019. Brunswick, Mazenod, North Brunswick and St Bede’s/ Mentone Tigers are the only remaining sides in the 8-team competition. Yarra Old Grammarians will play in the Premier B competition after being promoted. Ivanhoe and Aquinas have come into the competition from Division 1 and 2, respectively.

Brunswick Renegades

Brunswick had a successful 2019 campaign in which they were runners up to Yarra Old Grammarians. One of their takeaways from the season would’ve been the spread of goalkickers throughout the year, with Jessica Brown spearheading the attack with 17 goals for the year. One would assume that Brunswick will be high achievers in the Premier C competition again in 2021, but can they go one better and win the flag?

UHS-VU

UHSVU’s 2019 season was a rollercoaster ride. They won 12 of the 14 home and away games, including keeping three sides scoreless. However, they came crashing down come finals time when they were knocked out in straight sets by Preston and Hampton. The combination of Madeline Hince and Lillian Ingram was formidable in 2019, as they combined for a whopping 80 goals. Will they be able to replicate this? After dominating the 2019 regular season in the Division 3 competition, how will UHSVU fair against some tougher opposition in Premier C for season 2021?

Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe’s 2021 season will be one to keep your eyes on. The side has been promoted from Division 1 in 2019 when they finished 5^th, two wins out of the top 4. The likes of Emily Jane Johnson are crucial if Ivanhoe are to really compete this season. Johnson finished with 14 goals from 14 games in season 2019 and will look to backup that consistency. Emilia Bisogni and Rachel McLean will also look for big seasons as they were among Ivanhoe’s best across the entire 2019 season.

Aquinas

Aquinas is a genuine wildcard side for this upcoming season. They finished 7^th in Division 2 in 2019. This was second last in an 8-team competition, but they only finished outside the top 4 by half a game, so they will very much back in their chances of being competitive this year. Chelsea Tucker will be looking for a big year after finishing in Aquinas best players in 8 out of her 14 games. Laura McHugh will look to provide plenty of spark. Her 2019 season saw 6 goals in 10 games, leading the side’s goalkicking.

North Brunswick

North Brunswick have a lot of wriggle room in the way they approach the 2021 season. Their 2019 season wasn’t what they would have been hoping for with both the Premier C and Premier C Reserve sides finishing last with one win each. Susie Worthington, Jessica Ashcroft and Madeleine McGuffie were all amongst the Bulls best in 2019 and will be hoping for big years.

Mazenod

Heading into 2021, Mazenod will have plenty of confidence. Their 2019 campaign was one that was packed full of positives with the Premier C side finishing in 5^th, two games outside of finals and their Premier C Reserves finishing as minor premiers, unfortunately going on to lose the Grand Final narrowly. Key players include Sarah Biviano and Jennifer Vissenjoux who kicked 26 goals between them in 2019.

St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers

The Tigers will be hungry following their 2019 season in the Premier B competition. The side finished a couple of games outside the top 4, in 5^th. The reserves side will be looking for something more impressive in season 2021 as they finished second last in the Premier B Reserves competition, with one win and 89 points scored for the entire year. Players like Olivia Steinfort, Meg Geschke and Nina Coghill will be instrumental in what looms to be a fascinating season ahead for the Tigers.

Richmond Central

After a big promotion from Division 4 in 2019, Richmond Central will be in for a good fight in the Premier C competition. They managed to finish 2^nd on the ladder in 2019, down in Division 4, and lost the preliminary final. Although, winning 10 of their 13 games gave the girls a world of confidence. Amanda Traficante to Collegians is a significant loss but Tenille Moselen and Ailish Puren will be amongst an abundance of Snakes players to look out for in 2021.