2025 Division 1 Women’s Team of the Year

VAFA Division 1 Women’s was the Year of the Gryphons, as Glen Eira/Old McKinnon put together the perfect season, going 18-0 to win the premiership in fine style.

Monash Blues and Oakleigh finished 4 games back after the home & away season at 12-4, with the Blues taking second spot on percentage from the Krushers, while Whitefriars rounded out the Final 4.

The Friars then upset Oakleigh in a tense, low-scoring First Semi to progress to the Preliminary Final, where they would face the Blues, who fell to the Gryphons by 32 points in the Second Semi.

Monash then had to come from behind in the Prelim, kicking 1.5 to no score in the final term to earn a hard-fought 7-point win and a ticket to Grand Final Day.

But the Gryphons proved to be too good once again, cracking the premiership decider open with a 3-goal second term that handed them a 21-point half-time lead – and that proved to be the final margin.

There was plenty of talent on show in Division 1 this season, and here is the Division 1 Women’s Team of the Year for 2025:

The Gryphons have a commanding presence in the team, as you’d expect from a team that went undefeated throughout the home & away season. Mel Kuys is the Coach of the Year and will have five of her charges at either end of the ground.

Sarah Fitzpatrick, Gemma Strangio and the ageless Cecilia McIntosh are part of a powerful defensive unit, while Mia Zielinski and Lily Fitzpatrick (who combined for 41 goals this season) will provide strikepower up forward.

Monash Blues have four representatives, led by League Best & Fairest Tiarna Jericho as skipper of this team in the middle of the ground. She’ll have Blues team-mates Sarah-Jade Rose (CHB), Emily Conroy (Wing) and Hannah Konstanty (HF, after kicking 21 goals) alongside her – the two Grand Finalists contributing 9 players to the starting line-up.

Therry Penola have three players in this team, with the league’s leading goalkicker Abbey Duggan (29 goals) starting in the goalsquare, and the incredibly consistent Eliza German (who finished fourth in the League B&F) looming as another dangerous option up forward, with the equally reliable Gemma MacGregor starting in the ruck.

Oakleigh have two players in the line-up, with talented youngster Sienna Bernardo adding a Team of the Year guernsey to her VAFA Anytime Fitness Rising Star nomination, plus Ruby Ford (who polled Coaches’ Votes in 16 of her 17 games) providing invaluable depth off the bench.

Whitefriars also have two reps, with the brilliant Clare Fernandes (who finished second in the League Best & Fairest) starting on the wing, and Rachel Smith in a key defensive post.

There are two Snakes in the line-up as well, with Richmond Central’s Erin Eldon and Devina Lai both getting the nod from the selectors.

While Hampton Rovers also had a pair of reps, with club Best & Fairest Holly Brodribb lining up at centre half-forward, while veteran Mandy Naylor starts down back after also winning her club’s Rover of the Year Award.

Old Haileybury and Power House had one selection apiece, with young gun Zahra Clavarino (another Anytime Fitness Rising Star nominee) getting the nod for the Hearts, while Power House Best & Fairest winner Grace Read caps off her fine season with Team of the Year honours as well.

Congratulations to all our team members – it’s a fitting reward for your excellent season of service to your club.

A Team of the Year from each senior VAFA section (plus Under 19 Premier) will be published over the coming weeks.