Division 2 Women’s Season Preview

The start of the 2025 VAFA Division 2 Women’s season is right around the corner, with Round 1 fixtures kicking off on Saturday 5th April. In a unique composition, the season ahead sees the majority of clubs from 2024’s Division 3 move up a step to compete in Division 2. Regardless of the reshuffle, the season promises to be action-packed and filled with competitive balance right from the outset.

AQUINAS

Aquinas joins Division 2 this season for the first time. The club has competed in the Premier B Women’s competition since 2022 and faces a drop in grade for season 2025. Although Aquinas has faced an abundance of quality opposition in the Premier B competition over the past three seasons, the club is not taking anything for granted heading into the new year, well aware of the quality talent and depth Division 2 possesses.

BOX HILL NORTH

A strong final term from Box Hill North against De La Salle in the first round of finals last year was not enough to see them advance deeper into season 2024. Coach Steve Jackson is hoping his side can continue that competitive nature from last year that saw them become a very difficult team to line up against. Jackson also concedes his side mustn’t get ahead of themselves, wary of the competition’s ultra-close nature. Box Hill North will definitely be a team to beat this season, playing a brand of football that is more than capable of winning premierships.

BRUNSWICK

Although last season’s bottom-of-the-ladder result for Brunswick was not the best-looking on paper, the confidence the side took out of the back end of the year will put them in good stead for season 2025.

Senior Coach Sasha Dougherty believes there are plenty of positives to take out of last season’s efforts. “I think the cohesion within the side grew as the season progressed, and that will be something we are hoping to continue this year.”

Throughout the offseason, Brunswick has been looking to put more effort into stoppage work and structure, allowing the players to become more game aware. Dougherty and the playing group are hoping for an improved 2025 on the field, ultimately striving to move up the ladder.  

DE LA SALLE

A great season last year for De La Salle saw the club record a top 4 finish and a preliminary final appearance. The club hosts fiercest rivals Box Hill North in the season opener. Only five points separated the two teams after their two meetings during the regular season last year, on top of a narrow one-goal victory for De La Salle in week 1 of the finals.

The talks of a potential premiership this year for De La Salle are ones that cannot be ignored, especially following the club’s impressive home record in 2024, which saw them only lose two matches at home all season.

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY

Coming off a Grand Final loss to Therry Penola last season, La Trobe will be looking to go one better this year and taste premiership success. They are no doubt pegged as a team to beat for 2025; La Trobe is being considered somewhat the benchmark for Division 2. The club will be eager to get off on the right foot against Brunswick and send a message to the rest of the competition in Round 1.

MCC FC

Being hailed as the new kids on the block for 2025, MCC FC will be facing a plethora of new opposition. The club will be looking to continue their positive performances from 2024, hoping to remain competitive in all games this season.

Having never played the majority of their opponents this season, MCC heads into season 2025 with no knowledge of their rivals. However, a pair of new recruits from South Melbourne and Black Rock, in addition to a return from club legend Eloise Robertson, are all acquisitions that will help the club greatly.

OLD CAREY

Narrowly missing finals footy last year will be something Old Carey is keen to forget before the upcoming season. A strong finish to 2024 saw Old Carey win five out of their last six games. The club will be looking to build on this late form from last season, with a trip to Bennettswood Reserve to face Wattle Park kicking off the club’s 2025 campaign.

PARKSIDE

There has been an influx of new faces for Parkside heading into the new season, with plenty of new talented footballers entering the fray for the upcoming season.

Parkside Coach Anthony Romano revealed that the competition for spots can be a tricky situation but also went on to reveal that it is no surprise considering the culture of the club. “We are a real inclusive club and have trained regularly throughout the offseason with the men to promote a real togetherness.” Romano also conceded that the players and he are striving for finals footy in 2025, declaring his team is ready and rock-hard fit.

UHS-VU

A middle-of-the-pack finish for UHS-VU in 2024, although the club did finish on a high note, winning their last two games of the home and away season in convincing fashion.

A tough Round 1 fixture for UHS-VU sees the club travel to Aquinas College to take on the former Premier B side Aquinas OC. There were plenty of positives to take out of the club’s back end of 2024, giving the club a live chance of achieving finals in 2025.

WATTLE PARK

Wattle Park Senior Coach Mel Dell’Olio admits that his side playing in a higher division this year, like most of their competitors, is a challenge they must take head on. Impressed by several new players with past footy backgrounds, Dell’Olio is hoping his team can grow together as leaders.

The club has identified several key areas in which they can improve but say that the response from the playing group to these improvements has been tremendous. Dell’Olio understands the constraints the club faces being aligned with a university but is confident the club can maintain a strong level of depth throughout 2025.