Caulfield Grammarians dealt first loss as top four race tightens

Round 15 of William Buck Premier Women’s provided another exciting weekend of footy, with several tight contests and an enormous result at the top of the ladder. Fitzroy narrowly defeated Old Geelong, West Brunswick got the best of Williamstown CYMS, Kew were too good for Beaumaris and St Kevin’s handed Caulfield Grammarians their first loss of season 2025.

The headline result of Round 15 was St Kevin’s handing Caulfield Grammarians their first loss of the season, with the 2024 grand finalists defeating the Fields 4.3 (27) to 4.1 (25) in a close encounter.

St Kevin’s stormed home in the final quarter to run over the top of the undefeated Fields after trailing at the first and final break.

The stars for St Kevin’s shared the load with Sarah Cameron, Emily Condon, Hannah Smith and Kate Stanton kicking the four goals for the victors.

Sarah Kenny tried her best for the Fields as she kicked three of the four majors for the ladder leaders.

Caulfield Grammarians coach Danielle Di Stefano brushed off any negativity surrounding the snapping of the undefeated streak and focused on her team’s effort despite the loss as well as looking towards next week’s fixture against Old Scotch.

“The message post-game to the group was that I was proud of their effort throughout and it was good to see that we could keep fighting for four quarters in a finals like game. Another big game against Scotch next week, so we will look to keep improving leading into finals.”

Kew 9.8 (62) defeated 1.7 (13) Beaumaris at Banksia Reserve to cement their spot in 5^th place on the ladder.

It was a four-quarter performance from the Bears who held the inaccurate Sharks to just the one goal for the game.

In just her second game back from an ACL injury, Dakota Villiva was inflouential for her side on the scoreboard. Gabriella Rawlings and Villiva kicked two goals apiece for Kew and Captain Lily Barr was one of the Bears best.

Kew coach Emily Avery was pleased with the conversion of her forwards as well as the transition out of defensive 50. She also referenced some clear improvements she is looking for and praised the performance of Ellie Brown.

“We need to settle the team and get consistency in the midfield and forward line. We need to still improve on the first quarter, be cleaner and have better shape around the contest. 

Sharks coach Sam Calogero kept his theme of positivity and togetherness despite the heavy defeat.

“I was pleased with our pressure and support as a team from the start and it was great to have some young players from our under 18s have an opportunity to play senior football.”

West Brunswick stamped their claim for a top four spot with a strong away win against Williamstown CYMS, 7.5 (47) defeated 4.4 (28). The Magpies started white hot, kicking three goals to zero in the first half.

Magpies coach Ryan Wandel was happy with his sides victory but had plenty of feedback for his side and what they need to improve on heading into the end of the season.

“I was happy with our ability to win first possession and put blocks on for each other. On the flipside, our average quarters are when we overused the ball and looked rushed when we didn’t need to be.”

Wandel was full of praise for the CY’s and credited their tactics throughout the four quarters.

“Credit to the opposition who clogged up the corridor on a small ground and made it hard for us to move the ball. We’ll take some key learnings into the coming weeks on controlling tempo and knowing when we don’t have the momentum, it’s still an area of our game that is progressing.”

CY’s coach Xavier Smith was disappointed with his sides first half which has been a theme over recent weeks but took some clear positives away from the contest.

“Once again, a slow start cost us. 25 to 27 in the second half was probably a truer reflection of how close the game was. It was pleasing that our backline stood up against significant pressure, led by young gun Jacinta Eteuati and veteran Lauren Winter. Still, it was a better showing than our first time round against Brunswick.”

In the final game of the round, Fitzroy narrowly defeated Old Geelong in a thrilling contest at Como Park, 6.6 (42) to 6.3 (39).

Despite a late comeback from the OG’s, Fitzroy held on and in doing so have kept their finals hopes alive, now sitting a game and percentage outside of West Brunswick in fourth position.

Roys coach Nathan Jumeau was very positive about his side’s performance, in particular the midfield and ball movement.

“We had a lot of midfield dominance with Jaime Nelson and then the midfield as a whole working really well together.”

“I was really pleased with our ball movement and getting pace on the footy, it was a quick fast game on the weekend, and I don’t think the scoreboard showed how much on top the team was on the day.” 

Jessie Gleeson kicked two of the six majors for the OG’s and Sophia Rothfield, Claudia Petrie as well as Juliet grant were among the best for the home side.

Round 16 of William Buck Premier Women’s football emerges as an enthralling round of football. Old Geelong face St Kevin’s, West Brunswick host Beaumaris, Kew travel to face Williamstown CYMS, Fitzroy have the week off and in the game of the round, Caulfield Grammarians and Old Scotch do battle in a top of the table clash.