William Buck Premier Women’s Semi-Final Previews

Finals footy has arrived in William Buck Premier Women’s for 2025 and we have the most competitive Top 4 in the history of the competition.

Caulfield Grammarians powered past our most recent premiers, Old Scotch and St Kevin’s, to claim the minor premiership, while Kew (the 2023 minor premiers & runners-up) snuck into the finals on percentage & are ready to cause some havoc.

Here’s how Semi Final weekend shapes up, with both games streaming LIVE & EXCLUSIVE to Kommunity TV:

1st SEMI FINAL – ST KEVIN’S vs KEW (Saturday 9.40am – Preston City Oval)

It’s do-or-die for the Saints and the Bears — the winner progresses, the loser’s season ends right here.

St Kevin’s are coming off the bye and find themselves in unusual territory – a cut-throat Semi Final – given the three-time champions have finished in the Top 2 in recent seasons.

Kew fell to Old Scotch in the final round, and will need to find another gear to challenge the three teams above them, given they have a 0-6 record against the Top 3 this season.

KEYS TO THE GAME

ST KEVIN’S

• Dominant midfield rotations – Kate Stanton & Bree Doyle need to set the tone early.

• Clear the Forward 50 for #17 – Let your star forward Hannah Smith go to work in the forward arc.

• Finals experience – Capitalise on an experienced line-up hardened by previous September campaigns to navigate this cut-throat situation.

KEW

• Keep it tight – Pressure St Kevin’s into a contested, low-scoring scrap like Round 5, then seize your moment.

• Momentum – Move the ball quickly when the opportunity arises.

• Stars to shine – Amelia Dawborn & Lauralee Rinaldi are capable of leading this team to the next level. That time is now.

These two teams have met twice this season.

In Round 5, it was St Kevin’s in a 4-point thriller after both teams were held scoreless in a tight and tense final term. It’s a result that will give the Bears confidence – they know they can hang with the Saints.

In their Round 13 meeting, St Kevin’s held a 2-goal lead for most of the second half, ultimately winning by 10 points. Kate Stanton, Belinda Woolcock and Bree Doyle were outstanding for the 2024 grand finalists, while Amelia Dawborn, Lauralee Rinaldi and Lily Barr led the way for Kew.

Can Kew rise to the next level and pull off the upset, or will St Kevin’s keep their dream of yet another Grand Final alive?

My tip: ST KEVIN’S by 32pts.

Catch this sudden-death showdown streaming LIVE on Kommunity TV from 9.35am Saturday!

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2nd SEMI FINAL – CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS vs OLD SCOTCH (Saturday 11.40am – Coburg City Oval)

It was a tight battle for the Top 2 all season long, and the rewards are suitably precious – the double chance & an opportunity to avoid what looms as a tough Preliminary Final by progressing straight through to Grand Final Day.

Caulfield Grammarians have been THE story of Premier Women’s this season. After being blown off the park by Old Scotch on Preliminary Final Day last year, the Fields came back bigger and better in 2025 and have set the pace all season.

Minor premiers, they have dropped just 2 games all year – agonising back-to-back losses to St Kevin’s (2 points in Round 15) and Old Scotch (3 points in Round 16). They bounced back strongly with 41-point wins over Fitzroy & West Brunswick to close out the home & away season.

Old Scotch also only had 2 losses for the season (St Kevin’s in Round 2 & Caulfield in Round 7). The reigning premiers know what it takes to get it done in September and will be desperate to emulate what St Kevin’s were able to do previously and defend their title.

KEYS TO THE GAME

CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS

• Forward connection – Maintain scoreboard spread to avoid reliance on a single avenue to goal, which makes life more difficult for the Old Scotch defence.

• Don’t get beaten by what you know – Limit the Stars’ main midfield stars, particularly Mia Cowan and Katie Hunter-Scott, both of whom can turn a game in a big moment or two.

• Composure – This contest looms as another tight one, so clean hands and good decision-making under pressure (particularly late in the game) may prove decisive.

OLD SCOTCH

• Defensive Wall – The Stars were able to restrict the Fields to a low and beatable score in Round 16. More of the same will go a long way to victory here.

• Get the big guns involved – If the midfield engine fires and provides quality supply to the forwards, the Stars are generally very difficult to stop. Their #1 ranked Attack is evidence of this.

• Big game experience – Leverage last year’s finals campaign to stay composed in key moments.

They’ve met twice this season for one victory apiece.

Both are worthy Grand Finalists, but only one can take the direct route.

My tip: OLD SCOTCH by 15pts.

It promises to be a fantastic clash & you can watch it LIVE on Kommunity TV from 11.35am Saturday!