Saints salute in top four clash against Magpies and Cardinals flex their muscles over Fitzroy

The 11^th instalment of William Buck Premier Women’s footy for 2025 brought about several surprises and some stunning victories. The 2024 grand finalists stamped their authority on the competition with big wins and Caulfield Grammarians continued their unbeaten start to the year with a win over Old Geelong.

And that is where we start, Caulfield Grammarians 7.5 (47) defeated Old Geelong 2.5 (17) in a strong performance to remain undefeated. The Fields currently sit two games clear on top of the ladder with ten wins without a blemish, noting the inclusion of a Bye into William Buck Premier Women’s with 9 teams in the competition.

Ebony Angelopoulos, Jacinta Baxter and Olivia Rundle were standouts for the victors at Glen Huntly Park. The ladder leaders jumped out of the gates to lead by 32 points at half time and were able to maintain their ascendency in the match in the back end to cruise home to a 30-point victory.

For the OG’s it was a gallant performance against the benchmark of season 2025 with plenty of lessons to take away from the contest. Brookie Mckay, Ciara Sexton and Gemma Flanders all stood out for the OG’s and will look to bounce back in three weeks’ time after their Bye in Round 12, followed by the league-wide two week break.

In a highly anticipated contest, West Brunswick made the trip to Righetti Oval to face the 2024 grand finalists, St Kevin’s. Heading into the round, the Magpies were the form team of the competition and looked to continue this against the Saints.

After a relatively even first half in which the home side held an 8-point lead at the main break, St Kevin’s put together a four-goal to one third quarter to put the game out of reach and ended the game 42-point victors, 11.8 (74) to 5.2 (32).

West Brunswick coach Ryan Wandel was pleased with several aspects of his team’s performance but referenced a slight dip in concentration in the third quarter which cost them dearly.

“We competed hard and were right in it at half time, we just had a seven-minute patch in the third where we weren’t switched on, and as good sides do, St Kevin’s punished us.”

Despite the loss, Wandel is still preaching positivity to his group and is looking forward to what the rest of the season can bring for his team.

“The post game messaging was still positive, reinforcing that we’re still moving in the right direction, and we’ll regroup, reflect, and move forward.”

St Kevin’s coach Tom Purcell was delighted with the result and similarly referenced the tight contest in the first half.

“I was really pleased with the team aspect and everyone playing their role. It was a real arm wrestle the first half, and we struggled early with West Brunswick’s ball movement,” he said.

Belinda Woolcock, Bree Doyle and Mischa Beaconsfield were the best for St Kevin’s and are all putting together strong individual seasons for the Saints.

After a strong month which saw them, stack wins against multiple sides at home, Williamstown CYMS 3.3 (21) suffered a home defeat to Beaumaris 4.9 (33). This proved to be a historical weekend, with Beaumaris recording their first even Senior Women’s victory in William Buck Premier Women’s.

The CY’s home at Fearon Reserve has become something of a fortress in recent weeks, however a dynamic final term from the Sharks took the CY’s by surprise and led to the 12-point win for the travelling side.

Sharks coach Sam Calogero was extremely pleased with his side’s brave effort away from home.

“It was a win where we worked together as a group to focus on our intent and ball movement. We worked tirelessly to cut off Williamstown’s exits to keep the ball in our forward half. Our effort and spread after halftime were a great reward for remaining positive and connected,” he said.

The loss puts the CY’s in a precarious position sitting 8^th on the ladder however, only two wins away from firmly being entrenched in the finals picture. Despite the result, Jess Court, Marli Russell and Ella Tyson all played particularly well.

In the early fixture of the round, Old Scotch thoroughly dominated Fitzroy 16.13 (109) to 0.0 (0). The Cardinals showed their class and put together one of the performances of the season and continue to stake their claim alongside Caulfield Grammarians as the top team in the competition.

Millie Fraser-Smith led the way with four majors and Sara Fortunato booted three of her own. The leaders for the Cardinals were monumental with the usual suspects of Katie Hunter-Scott, Jade Wise and Georgia Fraser-Smith playing terrific games.

For Fitzroy it is back to the drawing board with coach Nathan Jumeau needing to reset his side for a big clash with Kew next week which will have massive implications on the race to finals.

Kew, who face Fitzroy in Round 12, had the bye in Round 11 and will be fresh and raring to go for the contest at W.T. Peterson Oval against the Roy’s. Beaumaris will play host to St Kevin’s, West Brunswick face another tough challenge against Caulfield Grammarians, Williamstown CYMS will look to bounce back against Old Scotch and Old Geelong have the week off.