West Brunswick & Old Brighton Strengthen Finals Push with Important Wins

Round 11 of the William Buck Premier Women’s season saw the competition’s top two sides continue their dominant campaigns, while Old Brighton further strengthened their finals credentials and West Brunswick edged out Westbourne Grammarians.

Old Brighton 5.9 (39) def Fitzroy 3.5 (23)

Old Brighton made it three wins from their last four matches with a victory over Fitzroy. The Tonners set the tone with their best opening quarter of the season before withstanding several Fitzroy surges to claim another important four points.

Renee Saulitis continued her outstanding campaign with three goals, while Eloise McCrae, Jasmine Tait and Shanelle Hodgkinson all played key roles.

Old Brighton Coach Pat Malone said his side’s improved starts and developing system were major positives.

“We were really pleased with our start to the game. We haven’t won many first quarters this season, so to get that early win set the tone for the rest of the afternoon,” Malone said.

“Our structure was another real positive. We’re starting to look more like the team we want to become, and it was pleasing to see our system taking shape.”

Malone also reflected on an impressive debut William Buck Premier Women’s season so far, highlighting the club’s 31 transfers and 22 senior debuts, while praising the group’s resilience and belief.

Old Geelong 0.0 (0) def by Old Scotch 16.10 (106)

Old Scotch produced arguably their most complete performance of the season, dismantling Old Geelong.

Jordan Mifsud was outstanding with six goals, while Mia Cowan added three and Eloise Defina and Anna Peers-Barlow each kicked two as the reigning premiers dominated from start to finish.

Old Scotch Coach Dean Anderson was delighted with the ruthless four-quarter effort.

“We were relentless on Saturday. We are very proud to say that we can thrive when footy is at its toughest,” Anderson said.

“We didn’t have a weak link and our midfield connection with our forwards showed real improvement.”

Elizabeth Wotherspoon, Jordan Mifsud and Maggie Wilson were strong for Old Scotch, while Amy Halaby, Juliet Grant and Natasha Furjanic battled hard for Old Geelong despite the heavy defeat.

Kew 1.4 (10) def by Caulfield Grammarians 3.10 (28)

Caulfield Grammarians were made to work hard before overcoming a determined Kew outfit.

In one of the toughest defensive contests of the season, the ladder leaders were restricted to just three goals as Kew’s relentless pressure and tackling tested the competition’s benchmark for four quarters.

Nat Barbara, Hollie Brodribb and India Lehman kicked Caulfield’s goals, while Charlie Anderson, Lehman and Eliza O’Neill were instrumental in securing another victory.

Caulfield Coach Danielle Di Stefano praised her side’s resilience in a fierce contest.

“It was a really tough game and the pressure was hot,” Di Stefano said.

“I was pleased with our ability to stick at it for four quarters, but our inefficiency in front of goal made it harder for us.”

For Kew, coach Mannie Di Parsia couldn’t have been prouder despite the result, describing it as one of the defining performances of his side’s season.

“Today we pushed one of the premiership favourites right to the final siren. We made them earn every contest, every possession and every metre,” Di Parsia said.

“The look of disappointment after the game showed how much this group cares. Most of all, I saw a team that is becoming something special.”

Krystal Shaw kicked Kew’s only goal, while Eloise Burdett-Moore, Millie Lang and Lily Barr were outstanding throughout.

West Brunswick 2.10 (22) def Westbourne Grammarians 2.3 (15)

West Brunswick kept themselves firmly in the top end of the ladder with a hard-fought victory over Westbourne Grammarians.

Goals proved difficult to come by, but the Magpies’ pressure around the contest and their ability to create repeat opportunities ultimately proved the difference.

Matilda Hammond and Victoria Holt kicked West Brunswick’s goals, while Clare Balbata and Charlotte Gervasoni also led the way across the field.

Westbourne again fought hard defensively, with Danielle Marshall, Jazmine Holdsworth and Sam Moodie among their best in another encouraging performance.

St Kevin’s had the bye.

Looking ahead to Round 12, Caulfield Grammarians face off with a fresh St Kevin’s side coming off the bye. Fitzroy do battle with Old Geelong, the competition’s new faces, in Old Brighton and Westbourne Grammarians take on one another, Kew face another test against Old Scotch and West Brunswick have the bye.