Editorial: Women’s Finals Kick-Off

This weekend marks 12 months since VAFA football was last played in 2021. For our women’s competitions, one team had secured a Grand Final berth, and two teams were ready to battle out the Preliminary Final before the season was ultimately cancelled.

That didn’t impact Fitzroy, who were knocked out in the first week of the Premier B Women’s finals in 2021. Yet the women from Brunswick Street Oval have qualified on top of the Premier B Women’s ladder in 2022 and will take on Old Brighton with confidence in the second semi-final to be played at Coburg City Oval this weekend.

In Premier C Women’s, last season was abandoned with St Bedes/Mentone Tigers preparing for a Preliminary final contest. This year they have gone undefeated, winning all 14 home and away games and creating a new record in conceding the lowest points against in a single season (96) at an average of only 6.8 points per game. On the scoring front, the Tigers have been led brilliantly by Madi Wilson, the leading goalkicker for the Premier C competition with 26 goals for the season. No doubt they will be red hot favourites for their semi-final against Parkdale Vultures.

Last year in Division 1 Women’s, Beaumaris were also awaiting a Preliminary final contest when the season was abandoned. In 2022, they have responded in exactly the same fashion as St Bedes/Mentone, putting together an undefeated home and away season and going into this week’s semi-final at home against Old Haileybury as hot favourites.

In Division 2 Women’s, Hampton Rovers had qualified for the 2021 Grand Final and were waiting to see who their opponents would be. Fast forward a season, and the Rovers have put together another undefeated season. In fact, they are on a 23 game winning streak, with their last loss coming in the 2019 Grand Final at the hands of Preston Bullants. Hampton will assume home ground advantage as they host Albert Park in this weekend’s semi-final.

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In Division 3 Women’s, the MCC have also turned in an undefeated season in 2022, after being left high and dry in a Preliminary Final position in Division 4 in 2021. MCC will take on second placed Bulleen Templestowe, whom they only overcame by 1 point when the two teams met in Round 4 this year, so this final looms as a cracking game.

And in amongst all the ladder leaders mentioned above there are only two teams that can actually go on to claim the title of “back-to-back premiers”.

In Premier B Women’s, Old Scotch (who finished the 2022 season in 4^th place) are the reigning 2019 Division 1 Flag holders. Whilst in Division 1 Women’s, Therry Penola (who also finished this season in 4^th position) are the reigning 2019 Division 2 Premiers.

We should celebrate the fact that we are having a finals series this year and wish all teams the best of luck.

As always, I hope everyone continues to Enjoy the Footy!

Jason Reddick