It’s a close race in Premier Women’s competition with St Kevin’s and Old Scotch leading the pack

Lauren Atkinson

Old Scotch and St Kevin’s are yet to drop a game this season, while the ladder reflects a very healthy competition in William Buck Premier Women’s. The competitive spirit is alight on the footy field and players are well and truly hitting the scoreboard to produce bigger margins consistently. Three of five matches were won by 40+ points over the weekend, with Collegians delivering the greatest victory against the Old Yarra Cobras.

Round 4 kicked off at Glen Huntly Park where reigning Premiers St Kevin’s travelled to play the ever-competitive Caulfield Grammarians. Despite the inherent challenge and nerves that come with taking on the defending champs, Caulfield are producing some good football early on looking to compete right through to finals. They are currently at 2-2 for the season, being bested only by last year’s two Grand Finalists in Kew and SKOB.

On a cold and foggy morning, things took some time to warm up, with a single goal each way to quarter time. The ever-reliable St Kevin’s rallied from then on to make an impact on the scoreboard and keep their opponents from registering another score until the final term. It was too little too late for Caulfield, but it was star forward Serena Kuo who finished with her sides 2 goals for the day.

Hannah Smith had her best day out yet for SKOB in front of the big sticks, kicking 5 goals to put her well ahead on the leading goal kicker talley. Joining her in the best was Sarah Cameron and Emily Condon who both put in strong performances.

A goalless Kew Bears felt the wrath of a strong Old Scotch side who are storming through the competition this season. Even the best sides can have tough days and Kew just couldn’t seem to get going at Victoria Park on Saturday. The left with 5 points to their name, whilst Old Scotch ran away with a final score of 53.

Mia Caffry was deemed best afield for the Stars, ably accompanied by Maggie Wilson and Ella Crump, with their 7 goals coming from 5 different goal scorers. At the other end, Amelia Dawborn and former league Best & Fairest Dakota Villiva were best on for the Bears on a tough day. This was Kew’s first loss for the season, as the Stars continue to fly through the competition undefeated.

As the fog cleared and the sun shone down at Harry Trott Oval in the favoured 2pm timeslot, Collegians hosted the Old Yarra Cobras. The Cobras seemed to have the upper hand early, winning the first quarter 13-8. But a scoreless second and third terms opened the door for Collegians to have their say on the scoreboard.

Georgia Harris was a master in front of goals with 4 majors to her name while Roxy Beuzeville and Paris Rafferty each kicked 2. Teammate Zara Wilson was best on for Collegians and Erin Woodford led her side when they were up against it. At the final siren Collegians were ahead by a significant 43 points (62-19) and will be looking to carry their momentum into next round when they come up against Coburg.

West Brunswick and Coburg are two sides that seem to be fairly evenly matched with past encounters proving close. Coburg was victorious on both occasions that these two sides met in 2023, but it was West Brunswick who got the chocolates on the weekend in their first victory over Coburg, 53-33.

The period scores were not available at the time of writing but what is confirmed is that Kristy De Pellegrini of West Brunswick was the only goal scorer to have multiples goals for the afternoon. Clare Balbata and Taylah Watson were acknowledged as the best afield for the Westies in their second win of the season, as Sheridan Bennett and Amy Duguid were stand out performers for the Lions.

Rounding out the weekend, the matchup between Monash Blues and MUWFC at Frearson Oval proved the closest of the lot will the final scoreboard reading 22-36 in favour of the visitors. Monash looked to have the advantage for much of the day with their pressure around the ground and ability to hit the scoreboard. Despite their strong form they were unable to capitalise to secure their first win of the season, with MUW coming over the top with a 3-goal final term to charge home with the victory.

Asha Price had all the answers with 4 goals to her name for MUWFC and has climbed into equal second on the leading goal kicker tally, while Georgia Nicholas was best afield for the victors. The Monash leadership stood up, with Vice Captain Chloe Gibson making an impression around the ground and with a goal, while Alice McGinty also starred.

Some exciting matchups are on the horizon in the Premier Women’s competition, with the round kicking off bright and early at Victoria Park as Kew take on the Old Yarra Cobras; a match both sides will be hungry to win coming off significant losses. St Kevin’s will have home ground advantage against MUWFC, while Monash Blues will travel to take on Old Scotch. Coburg will host Collegians, while the match of the round could take place at McAllister Oval as West Brunswick go head-to-head with Caulfield Grammarians, both sides looking for their third win of the season.