Kew go top, while Old Scotch once again prove they’re the real deal

Annie Ireland

After knocking off SKOB in impressive fashion last week, Old Scotch proved that it wasn’t a one-off performance, backing it up again this week against Caulfield Grammarians. Scotch have now played two of the finalists from 2022 and will have another chance to prove themselves against first-placed and last years runner up Kew after the bye.

Elsewhere, Fitzroy failed to back up their first win of season and now sit bottom of the ladder, with Coburg close by. Here’s all the action from round five of William Buck Premier Women’s.

A win over West Brunswick now finds last year’s grand finalists, Kew, at the top of the ladder and they are mounting a strong case for finals. Whilst it was an extremely low scoring game, with only one point to each team after half time, and in the Magpies’ case, the whole game, both teams should be happy with their performances.

Although West Brunswick did not score a goal for the game, they would be impressed that they only allowed Kew to score eight points on them, making it one of their smaller losses for the season against a very strong side.

For Kew, Ashlee Kate Bruce was their best, whilst Amelie Smith kicked their only goal. Kaitlyn Day was the Magpies’ best. Kew will come up against Coburg next week at home, whilst West Brunswick will host Caulfield Grammarians.

This loomed as the game of the round, and Old Scotch backed up last week’s win against SKOB with a strong win over Caufield Grammarians. Scotch are quickly emerging as a serious contender for this year’s flag, now sitting second on the ladder with only one loss.

Old Scotch held Caulfield goalless for the first half, whilst only allowing them to score one goal in the third quarter, compared to their 5.5. However, there would’ve been some nerves in the final quarter, as Caulfield scored three goals to Scotch’s 1.3.

Serena Kuo was impressive with two goals for Caulfield, whilst Courtney Gaze-Persson was their best. Lucy Morley also kicked two goals for Scotch, but it was Maxine Wells who was best on ground.

Caulfield Grammarians now find themselves in sixth place and will be hoping to return to their 2022 form, which saw them as one of the best teams in the competition, against West Brunswick next weekend. Meanwhile, Old Scotch will have a bye, before coming up against Kew in the following week.

After last week’s impressive win over Coburg, Fitzroy suffered an unfortunate defeat to Melbourne Uni, despite showing strong signs throughout the game. It was a tightly contested match for the first half, with Fitzroy winning the first quarter and Melbourne Uni only leading by eight points at half time.

However, the flood gates opened for Melbourne Uni in the third quarter, scoring 19 points to Fitzroy’s six. Fitzroy tried to mount a comeback in the last quarter, however fell short, with Melbourne Uni running out eventual 20-point winners. Whilst Fitzroy sit bottom of the ladder, this was one of their more impressive games for the season.

Erin Gogerly had two goals for Fitzroy, whilst Lucy Kerr also kicked one to be amongst the best players. Sunday Brisbane was their best player. For Melbourne Uni, Madison Katerelos and Georgina Gough were their best and both ended with a goal.

Next week looms as a tough week for Fitzroy, as they take on SKOB fresh off their bye. Meanwhile, Melbourne Uni will host Collegians.

Collegians are now third on the ladder after a dominant victory over Coburg, who slump to eighth on the ladder. Coburg were held goalless in the first quarter, however managed a goal each quarter after to score 19 points for the game.

It was a high scoring affair for the purple army, scoring 21 points in the first quarter, and kicking another twenty in the third quarter.

Georgia Harris and Paris Rafferty both scored two goals apiece, with Harris now leading Collegians’ goalkicking tally for the year. Maddison Shaw was their best. For Coburg, Lauren Collis was their best and she finished with a goal.

Next week, Coburg face another tough opponent in Kew and will travel to Victoria Park in the hopes of causing an upset. Collegians will play Melbourne Uni away.