Top 5 teams continue dominance

Round 4 of the VAFA Division 3 Women’s competition saw the ladder leaders continue their reign, as the top five teams solidified their positions in what’s shaping up to be an ultra-competitive 2025 season. With key performances across the board, this week’s action provided a mix of clinical wins, gritty battles, and a long-awaited breakthrough victory.

Ormond’s perfect start to the 2025 campaign continued on the weekend, with a convincing 35-point win over Mazenod. From the opening bounce, Ormond set the tone with their trademark pressure and clean ball movement, registering four goals to one in the first half to take a commanding lead into the main break.

Charlotte Fisher starred up forward with a standout three-goal performance, showcasing her strong marking and composure around goal. Indiana Harrison and Courtney Gaze-Pearson also hit the scoreboard, adding to the Ormond attack that has been a constant threat this season.

Mazenod battled valiantly throughout the match but were ultimately outclassed by the competition leaders. Despite the loss, they retain fourth position on the ladder, clinging to their top four status with percentage playing a crucial role. Meanwhile, Ormond’s undefeated run continues, and their growing percentage now places them as firm premiership contenders.

St Mary’s Salesian also preserved their unbeaten status with a solid 21-point victory over Albert Park. The game was won in the second quarter, where St Mary’s broke the contest open with four goals and four behinds, while restricting Albert Park to a single major across the first half.

Midfield dominance and forward efficiency proved crucial, with Lucy Dobbyn, Emily Wedrien, and Georgia Cropley hitting the scoreboard and providing forward pressure all afternoon. The cohesion in the St Mary’s outfit continues to impress, as they transition smoothly between defence and attack.

With this result, St Mary’s remain in third spot, keeping the pressure on second-placed Old Camberwell and showing signs that they could be serious challengers for top billing in the coming weeks. Albert Park, meanwhile, showed promise but will need to find greater scoring consistency to match it with the league’s elite.

South Melbourne Districts claimed their second win of the season in a crucial 19-point triumph over Elsternwick, staking their claim for a top-four spot. It was a slow burn of a contest, with both sides unable to register a goal in the first half as defences held strong. However, South Melbourne came to life in the third quarter, piling on three unanswered goals to swing the momentum firmly in their favour.

The performance marked a step forward in execution and composure for the Swans, whose ability to seize control in the second half bodes well for the remainder of their campaign. They now sit fifth, equal on points with Mazenod but trailing slightly on percentage—a gap they’ll be eager to close.

Elsternwick, who remain in ninth place, showed fight but were ultimately unable to convert their efforts into scoreboard pressure. With more than half the season remaining, they’ll be eyeing opportunities to break into the winners’ circle soon.

Old Camberwell continued their strong start to the year with a determined 22-point win over a plucky Canterbury outfit. The first half was evenly contested, with both teams registering two goals apiece, but it was Old Camberwell’s fourth-quarter push that sealed the result.

Led by a spread of contributors up forward, including Millie Culliver, Jess Humphries, Silia Thanopoulous, Bridget Facey, and Rebecca Bellpieri, Old Camberwell’s depth and structure once again shone through. Their ability to share the scoring load makes them one of the more balanced sides in the competition.

Despite the loss, Canterbury showed heart and flashes of cohesion, with goals from Georgia Bold, Bridgette Roberts and Briana Thompson. However, the search for their first win of the season continues as they remain anchored to the bottom of the ladder.

Old Camberwell’s high percentage, now an imposing 470.73%, places them firmly in the premiership conversation, especially if they can maintain consistency against fellow top sides in the weeks to come.

North Brunswick roared to life with a statement 82-point win over Prahran, securing their first victory of the season in emphatic fashion. From the first siren to the final whistle, North Brunswick controlled the tempo, denied scoring opportunities to their opponents, and played with freedom and flair.

Lauren Balcombe was the standout of the day, kicking four goals and providing a key focal point up forward. Holly Booth, Madeline Woosley and Ruby-Rose Gibson Haywood each added two goals, while Olivia Peake chimed in with one to cap off a dominant team effort.

The Bulls’ defensive unit also deserves credit, keeping Prahran scoreless for the entire match—a feat rarely seen in the competition. With the win, North Brunswick leapfrogged into sixth place and are now just one game outside the top four. Prahran, meanwhile, dropped to eighth and will be looking for answers after a disappointing outing.

As we approach the midpoint of the season, the top five teams have started to create a noticeable gap between themselves and the chasing pack. With several sides still capable of shaking up the ladder, every game from here takes on extra significance. The competition remains wide open, and with regrading week upon us, Round 5 is shaping up to be pivotal in determining who are the real contenders in 2025.