Finals picture clear after decisive VAFA women’s round

The 2025 William Buck Premier Women’s home-and-away season draw to a close on the weekend, with the final round producing emphatic victories, emotional finishes, and the confirmed ladder positions heading into finals. For some clubs, it was a week of celebration as momentum builds towards September, while for others it marked the end of a challenging but rewarding season of development and connection.

Caulfield Grammarians ensured they would enter finals with winning form, defeating West Brunswick 7.10 (52) to 1.5 (11). The result capped off a dominant season for Caulfield, who finished on top of the ladder after 18 rounds to secure the minor premiership.

Coach Danielle Di Stefano praised her side’s ability to execute their game plan heading into the most important stage of the year.

“I was pleased with our ability to finish the home and away season strong, and we will look to take that momentum into the finals. Our midfielders and forwards connected really well, and I was pleased to see a good spread of goal scorers.”

While the Magpies couldn’t match the Field’s on the scoreboard, coach Ryan Wandel was proud of the spirit and connection his group showed in what was always going to be a tough assignment.

“I was pleased with how often we looked to take the game on and play with dare. The game was played in great spirit, and I was really impressed with how Caulfield handled themselves on the day.”

Ryan noted that skill execution was the major difference between the two sides, but he highlighted his team’s resilience.

“The gap in the game came from skill execution. We weren’t as clean below our knees as our opposition. Our team defence also had moments where it was pressed up too high and we were punished over the back. I was really pleased that the group never gave in until the final siren and managed to win the last quarter.”

Second-placed Old Scotch rounded out their season with a convincing 6.2 (38) to 0.3 (3) win over Kew. The Cardinals head into September with strong momentum, while Kew will be left to regroup after a disappointing performance.

Kew coach Emily Avery was frank in her assessment.

“I wasn’t pleased about much with our performance. We were flat, not connected and couldn’t convert. We had a positive second quarter to keep them goalless with pressure and played a front half game. Kristy Rinaldi had a stand-out game in ruck and was our main intercept marker.”

Old Scotch, meanwhile, confirmed their position as genuine premiership contenders, finishing the season in second place, just behind Caulfield.

For the Cardinals Mia Cowan and Jordan Mifsud kicked two goals apiece, with Isabella Tuttle and Sophie McIntosh the best two for the reigning premiers on the day.

In one of the weekend’s notable results, Williamstown CYMS ended their year on a high, defeating Old Geelong 5.3 (33) to 3.1 (19).

The Seagulls’ camp and coach Xavier Smith reflected on the strong finish after a challenging season, highlighting their determination to compete against a familiar rival.

“Very, very pleasing to finish the year on a high. The past couple of weeks had been really tough, against two finals teams with everything to play for. We really set ourselves for Old Geelong, a team we’ve had a good rivalry with over the past couple of seasons. We got some players back in the team, which allowed us to play our style of footy, which we know can be very dangerous. Credit to all our girls for showing up, playing with pride and a real intensity, wanting to finish the year off the right way. Which we did, with two wins.”

While the OG’s ended up seventh, the CY’s victory ensured they finished their season with momentum, sitting in eighth place but carrying optimism into 2026.

Fitzroy capped off their season with a strong defensive display, defeating Beaumaris 4.6 (30) to 1.4 (10). Coach Nathan Jumeau was pleased with the effort, particularly behind the ball.

“Happy with our defensive structure for the game. Would have loved to have put more of our play on the scoreboard.”

Beaumaris coach Sam Calogero reflected on the season, emphasising the bigger picture despite the final result.

“Our last game of the year our focus was to focus on our team’s pressure and nullify Fitzroy getting easy outlets. The year has been a great journey with us focusing on togetherness and understanding that footy is more than a game in a trying year for us as a club and team.”

Fitzroy’s win secured them sixth place, while Beaumaris ended the season ninth, unable to climb off the bottom but strengthened by the unity they built.

The stage is now set for a thrilling finals campaign. Momentum, consistency and resilience will prove decisive as the competition narrows to its top contenders.

Kicking off the first round of finals, St Kevin’s will come up against familiar rival in Kew at Preston City Oval this Saturday. The SKOB Saints getting the better of the Bears on both occasions these two sides have matched up this season. This elimination final is do or die, with only one able to progress through to the preliminary final.

Later on, we will see minor premiers in Caulfield Grammarians come up against the reigning premier in Old Scotch at Coburg City Oval. The winner of this match will book themselves a ticket straight through to the Grand Final. Both matches will be live streamed and available on KommunityTV.