2024 William Buck Premier Women’s Team of the Year

The 2024 VAFA William Buck Premier Women’s premiership race was a two-way battle for most of the season, with reigning premiers St Kevin’s challenged by Old Scotch at the top of the table.

Sure enough, those two teams ultimately met on Grand Final Day, with the challengers rolling the reigning champs in a brilliant performance to raise the silverware at Elsternwick Park.

The depth of quality in this competition continues to grow exponentially year after year and this season was no exception, with talent spread up and down the ladder, making Team of the Year selection more challenging than ever before.

Each VAFA Team of the Year is based on feedback and analysis from coaches, VAFA Media and umpires.

Here is the 2024 Premier Women’s Team of the Year:

It comes as little surprise that the two Grand Finalists provide half the team.

St Kevin’s lead the way with six representatives, spread across almost every line: Emily Condon across half-back, Zara Guss on a wing, the brilliant Sarah Cameron & Kate Stanton across an unstoppable half-forward line, Hannah Smith deeper forward and the incredible luxury of Bree Doyle rotating in off the bench.

Premiers Old Scotch have five reps, including the Coach & Captain of the Year, Dean Anderson & Mia Caffry. They are joined by defensive duo Bella Gray and Katie Hunter-Scott, along with the clever Eloise Defina across half-forward, who booted a League-high 34 goals in 2024.

Third-placed Kew provides two representatives – Amelia Dawborn and League Best & Fairest Dakota Villiva, who will thrive in this incredibly deep and talented on-ball line-up.

Fourth-placed Caulfield Grammarians also provide two reps – Sarah Kenny up forward and the 2024 VAFA Anytime Fitness Rising Star Charlie Anderson as part of this impenetrable backline.

Two from Melbourne Uni as well – Ange Roan, along with Brooke Randall at half-back – while Monash Blues supply Alicia Myers at centre half-back and Brook Thompson on the wing.

Onballer Taylah Watson flies the flag for West Brunswick, while Cecilia Baldassarre (24 goals) does likewise for Old Yarra Cobras, with Sarah Jolly repping Coburg and Krystal Russell in the ruck for Collegians.

It’s an incredible line-up with a powerful midfield of inside ball-winners and outside users supplying ridiculously good firepower up forward – how can you stop ALL of those brilliant players? Then good luck scoring yourself against that rock-solid defensive group!

Selectors could have easily come up with two fantastic teams, so our congratulations to all players who have received the honour this year. It’s a great and worthy recognition of your super season.