Who will challenge the Premiership trifecta of St Kevin’s in 2024?

As the anticipation builds and the countdown begins, the 2024 William Buck Premier Women’s Competition promises another thrilling chapter in the illustrious history of VAFA football. With the commencement of the season imminent, fans are eager to witness the intense battles, dazzling displays of skill, and the quest for ultimate glory.

Caulfield Grammarians

The Caulfield Grammarians are battlers and embody the VAFA spirit, playing week to week For the Love of the Game. They finished the 2023 season in the middle of the table Caulfield have retained the likes of Matilda Mottram who polled well in the league’s B&F last season, and Chloe O’Malley who is a sharpshooter in front of goals.

Caulfield kick off the season hosting Coburg FC, a side they are yet to defeat, and will be hungry to do so to get their first win of the board for 2024.

Coburg

This is Coburg’s second season in the VAFA. Having sussed out the competition in 2023, they will have a better feel for their match ups and will be looking to assert their presence in the VAFA with a memorable 2024 program.

Led by co-captains Claire Cashman and Amy Duguid the Lions are a tight-knit group who have each other’s back on and off the field. Look out for them to open their 2024 campaign with a bang when they take on the likes of the Caulfield Grammarians.

Collegians

Collegians have put together one of the most comprehensive preseason campaigns, tackling everything from on field performance, teamwork, mindset, and a focus on community.

Dom Lucarelli is in the driver’s seat for the women’s side and will be looking to take them to finals again. They came unstuck in the semi-final against a formidable Old Scotch outfit. The purple and gold will take on MUWFC at home this Saturday in Round 1.

Kew

Ahh the Kew Bears! They are the epitome of hard work and determination, leading the competition at every turn in 2023 and falling short to the likes of the St Kevin’s Saints in the grand final. With only two losses on the board last season, they will hope to retain their stella form in 2024 under the guidance of new coach Emily Avery.

Hungry for victory, with skipper Rachael McDonough at the helm, Kew face off against Monash Blues at home in Round 1.

Melbourne University Women’s

MUWFC did not have the 2023 season they would’ve been hoping for, finishing 8^th on the ladder. Although their abilities were not reflected on the ladder, they are not to be underestimated. Emma Delaney is the captain of the squad, leading the charge alongside coach Colleen Gwynne.

They have a tough match up in Round 1 playing away against Collegians; a side they were not able to overcome last season.

Monash Blues

The Monash Blues are a true success story of VAFA Women’s football. After taking home the premiership in Premier B Women’s last season, they have been elevated to the highest level to face new opponents in 2024.

The depth of their line-up includes goal kicking machine Molly McFarlane, and 2023 best and fairest winner Ainslee Elliott.

How will they fair in William Buck Premier Women’s? The wait is over and we are about to find out with no tougher start to the season than 2023 ladder leaders and grand finalists, Kew FC.

Old Scotch

The Scotch Stars had arguably one of the most impressive seasons of Women’s football in the William Buck Premier Women’s competition in 2023, having just been promoted to the top grade and finishing 3^rd on a competitive ladder and making it all the way to the preliminary final.

There is a whole lot of talent down at Old Scotch which will once again be harnessed and guided through the expertise of coach Dean Anderson.

Lucy Morley was the leading goal kicker runner up, while Mia Caffry polled well in the sections Best & Fairest.

Old Yarra Cobras

The Old Yarra Cobras are the other newcomers to the Premier Women’s competition. The team delivered a strong season being a newly amalgamated club in 2023, finishing 2^nd on the ladder, missing out on the premiership by just 2 points in the grand final.

Michael Wines is coaching the Cobras whilst the team welcomes a number of impressive VFLW players to their side. They will be looking to make their mark right out of the gates, facing Old Scotch in Round 1.

St Kevin’s

The reigning champions, St Kevin’s, enter the season with an air of confidence after securing three consecutive premierships. Led by their seasoned coach Tom Purcell and bolstered by a roster brimming with talent, the St Kevin’s outfit aims to etch their name further into VAFA folklore by clinching an unprecedented fourth consecutive title.

With a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, they remain the team to beat, and their rivals will undoubtedly be plotting strategies to dethrone the reigning monarchs.

West Brunswick

West Brunswick have tasted success in the Women’s Thirds competition and are hungry to replicate such triumph against the best of the best in the William Buck Premier Women’s competition.

They put together a commendable 2023 and will be looking to draw strength from their cohesion as a playing group to go even further this season under the leadership of coach Marnee Silver.

With the stage set and anticipation reaching fever pitch, the 2024 William Buck Premier Women’s Competition promises to deliver a spectacle of footballing excellence. From the opening bounce to the fisnal siren, fans can expect thrills, spills, and moments of pure sporting magic as the battle for supremacy unfolds on the hallowed turf of VAFA grounds. As the journey begins, only one question remains: Who will rise to the occasion and etch their name in the annals of VAFA history?