Better the devil you know: Parkside make instant Premier B Women’s statement

Round 1 of Premier B Women’s delivered statement performances and heart‑stopping finishes as the competition sprang to life across Melbourne. Old Melburnians re‑established themselves as the competition’s benchmark, Beaumaris showed composure in a nail‑biting finish, and newly promoted Parkside emerged as the round’s standout story, holding their nerve under pressure to secure a memorable opening‑round win.

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The Premier B Women’s season kicked off at the home of VAFA, Elsternwick Park, where 2025 runners-up Old Melburnians hosted the newly promoted Glen Eira/Old McKinnon. The Omlettes wasted no time launching their bid to go one better this year, handing the Gryphons their first loss in 708 days.

It was Olive McLean who opened the scoring for the season, seamlessly carrying on from a breakout debut year that saw her nominated as a Rising Star with 20 goals in 13 games.

Lily Fitzpatrick got Glen Eira/Old McKinnon on the board with their first ever goal at Premier level, kicking truly early in the second term to briefly give the Gryphons a one-point lead.

From there, the Omlettes took control of the contest, with their class and experience shining through to secure a convincing victory by the final siren, 6.5 (41) to 1.1 (7).

Co-captains Georgia Dunlop and Amelia Kogler led the Omlettes from the front, while Eloise Faulks and Sophie Fraser proved dangerous up forward, both finishing with two goals.

Gryphons coach Mel Kuys was realistic post-match, acknowledging the challenge of stepping up two divisions in as many seasons.

“Tough game to come up against one of the best in this comp in Round 1, but it’s good to see where we are at and where we need to improve,” Kuys said.

“Decision making and aerial presence were the two factors that stood out the most.”

While it was a tough introduction to Premier football, Hayley Carter, Eliza Morrison and Cecilia McIntosh all showed promising signs, starring for Glen Eira.

Spectators at JL Murphy Reserve were treated to a thriller, where Beaumaris held off a spirited Port Melbourne Chargers outfit to record a three-point win.

The contest lived up to the hype with both sides having been touted as premiership favourites heading into the year.

Beaumaris got off to the superior start, with four first-half goals allowing them an 11-point buffer heading into the major break, but the Chargers refused to go down without a fight.

Port Melbourne dominated territory in the third term, managing six scoring shots to Beaumaris’ single, however, inaccuracy proved costly, with the Chargers converting just one of those opportunities.

Leading by one point at the final change, the Sharks did just enough in the final term to hold on, defeating Port Melbourne 4.7 (31) to 3.10 (28).

While proud of her team’s resilience to stay in the contest and regain composure after half time, Chargers coach Harriet Cooper said the contest ultimately hinged on transition.

“The game really came down to our transitional play and how we handled their pressure in the middle,” she said. “We were at our best when we linked up through the corridor, but a few lapses in our defensive structure during their quick counter-attacks allowed them to capitalise on the scoreboard.”

Beaumaris coach Damian Farrow was pleased with his Sharks’ work rate and contest skills, also highlighting their ability to finish off their work in the first half as a key factor in an otherwise even contest.

“We converted our opportunities early,” Farrow said. “There was very little between the two sides – both contested really well.”

Cooper also conceded that inaccuracy cost the Chargers, identifying goal-kicking as an area of improvement going forward.

“We will also be putting some focus on our finishing in front of goal to ensure we’re rewarded for our efforts,” she said.

Cooper lauded the efforts of Claire Highfield, who “had an exceptional game and really highlighted her leadership within our midfield group”, while Laura Luci was also impressive in her return from an ACL injury. Cooper was also full of praise for the entire backline unit, who withstood immense pressure and demonstrated effective communication.

For Beaumaris, the stand outs were Anna Sutcliffe off half-back and Olivia Smith, who proved the focal point up forward, finishing with two goals.

Buoyed by a strong finish to the 2025 season, Old Yarra Cobras carried that momentum into the new year with a commanding 45‑point win over competition newcomers La Trobe University.

The Cobras set the tone from the opening bounce, controlling territory early and generating repeated forward entries which saw them produce a 28-point lead by the main break, with La Trobe restricted to a solitary behind despite showing promising signs through the middle of the ground.

La Trobe came out of the rooms with a renewed sense of purpose, winning more of the ball around the stoppage and locking the ball in their forward half. An impressive 10-minute burst saw them score 1.5 (11), before a late goal to the Cobras saw the margin stretch back out to 24 points at the last change.

The Cobras absorbed the pressure and reasserted their control in the final term, finishing strongly with another three majors to bring the closing scoreline to 8.9 (57) – 1.6 (12).

When asked what pleased him most about the victory, Old Yarra coach Michael Talbot pointed to his side’s bravery and their trust in the system.

“Our ability to play with courage and put into action what we have been working on,” Talbot said. “It doesn’t always come off but we keep trying and have belief in how we want to play.”

Despite the result, Talbot was full of praise for the Trobers, who had a solid performance in their first game at Premier B level, showing signs of what’s to come if they continue their development.

“La Trobe will be a tough team to play against this season.”

In her first game for the Cobras, Eden Ackland made a serious impression, finishing with four majors to her name.

Also among the Cobras’ standouts were two of the players that Talbot had flagged to watch this season: Belinda Wriedt was influential in the ruck, while Lara Moussa was silky through the middle.

Despite the result, La Trobe showed resilience and improvement as the game wore on, and will be better for the exposure. Ineka Hart led the way up forward and was rewarded with the visitors’ only goal, while Ella Lauritsen and Isobel Warrillow also competed tirelessly.

Parkside validated their promotion in the best possible way on Saturday afternoon, emerging as the only promoted side to record a win at Premier B level, snatching a thrilling two‑point victory over Old Xaverians at Pitcher Park.

Parkside burst out of the blocks with four unanswered goals in the opening term to take a commanding 23-point lead at quarter time.

Old Xaverians began to settle in the second quarter, lifting their intensity around the contest and connecting better through the middle of the ground. Goals to Annabelle Gangi and Sienna McLeish helped the visitors claw their way back into the contest, but a late major to Rebecca Allaoui ensured Parkside still held a 15‑point advantage at the main break.

The third quarter proved a tight arm‑wrestle, with Old Xaverians continuing to build momentum. An early goal brought the margin back to nine points, but a lapse in Old Xavs’ defence in the dying moments of the term saw Samantha Baisas sneak through a goal right before the three-quarter time siren.

Old Xaverians refused to be discouraged, producing a sustained final‑quarter charge that saw them steadily chip away at the margin until a goal at the 16-minute mark saw them draw within a kick. One final charge provided a last opportunity to steal the lead, but a wayward shot at goal saw them fall devastatingly short, 7.2 (44) to 6.6 (42).

Parkside coach Anthony Romano was pleased with his side’s blistering start to the match, as well as their ability to withstand the heat when the game was on the line.

“It was a hard-fought win in the end. We had a great first half – we brought a lot of tackle pressure and were able to move the ball well,” Romano said.

“After half time, the opposition brought a lot of pressure and our ladies did well to hold out the opposition.”

Old Xaverians coach Doug Greenough was forthright in his assessment of his team’s slow start.

“Our poor start to Q1 cost us the game,” Greenough said. “We were not ready for Parkside’s ball movement, pressure around the ball carrier and ability to hit targets inside 50.”

Despite the disappointing start, Greenough was positive when reflecting on the overall performance.

“After quarter time, we started to play our way. We got control of the game again and the players believed in themselves. We had a good connection between the mids and forwards and our pressure increased as the game went on.”

Three of Parkside’s new inclusions — Emily Rayment, Madison Katerelos and Samantha Baisas — combined for four of their seven goals, proving their worth in the line-up, while Hannah Baird received the coach’s votes as best on.

For Old Xavs, Oakleigh Chargers alum Poppy Lawrance was a running machine through the middle, voted best player in her senior debut.

Round 2 shapes as another exciting week, headlined by a blockbuster clash between Old Melburnians and Beaumaris as the two early premiership favourites go head‑to‑head. Glen Eira will look to build on the positives from their Premier B debut when they host Port Melbourne Chargers, while Old Xaverians and La Trobe University both chase their first win of the season. Rounding out the round, Parkside face a stern test against Old Yarra Cobras, with both sides keen to build momentum after impressive opening performances.