2025 Division 3 Women’s Team of the Year

Our VAFA Team of the Year series continues with Division 3 Women’s, as compiled by our reporter, Elly Kirlis, based on feedback and analysis from coaches, umpires and VAFA Media.

The Division 3 Women’s Grand Final will go down in VAFA folklore as Ormond and St Mary’s Salesian played an extra-time thriller.

The Saints had claimed the minor premiership by two games from the Monders, with Old Camberwell and Albert Park rounding out the Final 4 – the Falcons sneaking in on percentage from Mazenod.

The Wellers eliminated the Falcons in a thrilling 3-point First Semi Final, while Ormond upset St Mary’s Salesian to win straight through to Grand Final Day by 20 points.

The Saints bounced back in another thriller to claim the Prelim Final by just 4 points, and then their Grand Final against the Monders went all the way to the final siren… and beyond!

The two teams were locked together on 5.5 (35) at the end of regular time, with only 2 behinds scored in two desperate extra time periods – both to St Mary’s Salesian, handing them the flag in the most dramatic circumstances.

The tightness of the entire finals series highlighted just how close and competitive this section was in 2025, and there were plenty of worthy candidates for the Team of the Year.

Here is the Division 3 Women’s Team of the Year for 2025:

Premiers St Mary’s Salesian has four selections, including premiership coach Terry Burt as the Coach of the Year, with League Best & Fairest Lucy Dobbyn starting in the middle alongside teammate Holly Wilson (equal second in the League B&F) in the ruck, while the dangerous Georgia Cropley (best afield in the Grand Final) leading the attack after finishing with 49 goals for the season.

Also booting 49 to share the season’s goalkicking award was Ormond wunderkind Indiana Harrison. The 17-year-old Monders skipper will also captain this team after a stunning campaign that saw her nominated for the VAFA Anytime Fitness Rising Star award.

Fellow Rising Star nominee Hannah Foran (who also finished equal second in the League Best & Fairest) will also start up forward as the Monders’ second rep in this line-up.

Old Camberwell provides the other three forwards, with first-year Weller Jess Humphries combining with veteran Bridget Facey and Gabriella Bianco to round out an extremely potent attack. Bianco polled 22 votes in the League Best & Fairest and Coaches’ Votes in 11 of her 18 games, highlighting the consistency of her season.

Speaking of consistency, Mary Ntalianis played well every time she took the field, featuring in North Brunswick’s best players in 15 of her 16 games. She is one of three Bulls in this team, along with Ella Ryan starting on the wing, and Sophie Ulcoq across half-back.

Albert Park also has three members in the line-up, with Emma Sullivan holding down a key defensive post along Caroline Ma, with Bonnie Grining (another who finished equal second in the League B&F) on a wing.

Mazenod has two representatives, with consistent duo Madison Bromley at half-back and Laura Gartland off the bench. They combined for 24 votes in the League B&F and will add plenty to this line-up.

Two reps for South Melbourne Districts also, with Fiona Adinata and the versatile Hannah Singleton (who polled coaches’ votes in 9 of her 12 games and finished second in the club B&F). She can play anywhere and will provide this team with invaluable flexibility.

Wattle Park provides two members of this team as well, and it’s the Top 2 in their club Best & Fairest – Eli Haylock starts in the centre square after polling 16 votes in the League Best & Fairest, plus Animals’ Best & Fairest winner Lucy Eales to provide plenty of quality off the bench.

Prahran and Elsternwick have one rep apiece, with the Two Blues’ best & fairest winner Katy Peree providing midfield depth, while Wick Nicole Berto holds down a key defensive slot.

Congratulations to everyone who made the team!

A Team of the Year from each senior VAFA section (plus Under 19 Premier) will be selected.