VAFA Wilson Women’s Division 1 Preview

Posted on Thu, 4th April 2019 - Latest News, Featured, Division 1 Women's, Women's News

Sarah Ward

With just two days remaining until the VAFA home and away season kicks off, it’s time to take a look at each club within the Women’s Division 1 competition and see how they are situated ahead of another exciting year of amateur football.

Beaumaris

Beaumaris will be on the path of redemption after losing by a narrow two points in the preliminary final against eventual premiers, Old Haileybury. Finishing the home and away season as minor premiers, the Sharks are certainly a side to watch. Dual leading goal kicker, Ellie Hearne is an exciting player to watch and along with Thea Brown, are set to display their dominance on the scoreboard in the upcoming season. Club Best & Fairest winner, Nadia Eldred, will showcase her dynamic abilities in Round 1 against the back-to-back premiers, Hawthorn. Gaining several new players in the off-season, the Sharks are a side not to be discounted.

Hawthorn AFC

Will Hawthorn become the first women’s club to make history and attain a three-peat? Time will tell. This side has had two fairytale-like seasons, winning back-to-back premierships, most recently against Ivanhoe in a close yet controlled and well executed encounter at Elsternwick Park. The side has improved dramatically over two seasons under coach Simon Boots. With a new coach in Josh Strachan and many new players at the Nest, the Hawks have completed two practice matches in anticipation of the tougher opponents ahead. In a sad turn of events, 2017 Best and Fairest winner, Big V representative and most recently International Rules GAA Captain, Penny Brown broke her leg in a practice match in late March. Out for an extended period of time, there is no doubt Brown will use her skills and knowledge to assist the club whilst she undergoes the rehab process to get herself back on the track. Sarah Delbosc will captain the side for a third season and look to exert her dominance in the backline, as they take on minor premiers, Beaumaris at Rathmines Reserve.

Ivanhoe AFC

Ivanhoe finished minor premiers in Division 1, yet ultimately went down by 24 points to the Hawks in last year’s decider. The Ivies have something to prove and this could be their year to do it. With only two losses in the 2018 season, the Ivies quick ball movement and ability to convert on the scoreboard, will hold them in good stead for the season. Georgia Scarce will no doubt be a strong performer in the 2019 side, off the back of a dynamic season winning both her club and the Division 1 Best and Fairest awards. While the Ivies will feel the loss of Sarah Kerr, who is now a playing assistant coach with Yarra Old Grammarians, fresh faces, with the likes of Nicole Tumblety joining the side and South Australian Genevieve Grose, will no doubt soften the blow of Kerr’s departure. Consistent performers in Tahlia Day and Federica Few will also showcase their potential in the Ivies Round 1 clash against Williamstown CYMS.

Old Brighton

Old Brighton finished the 2018 home and away season in third place on the Premier B White ladder. The Tonners are a side not to be underestimated, showing resilience and consistency throughout last season. The Tonners displayed dominance in Round 14 against runner-up Scotch Stars in a comprehensive 66-point victory. In the semi final, the Tonners’ season came to an end, losing to Old Haileybury in a tight six-point affair. The Tonners have an exciting season ahead with young gun Ava Hales remaining on side, after taking out the Premier B White Best and Fairest accolade with 16 votes along with being the club’s leading goal scorer. The prowess of Katie Grant, India Tait and Annie Grant will add depth to the growing side and set the Tonners up well for a strong season.

Old Haileybury

Old Haileybury’s last season is the true embodiment of determination and grit, which ultimately resulted in Danny Frawley’s Hearts producing the goods at the big dance. After finishing fourth in the home and away season and never having beaten the other three sides above them on the ladder, the Hearts fought hard to earn their spot at the grand final. Taking on Scotch Stars, the Hearts came out on top, claiming the Premier B White flag, with a winning margin of 13 points. The Hearts have welcomed several new faces to their playing group, including Anna Mairead Stewart from Prahran Assumption, who was a consistent on field performer in her former side. Impressive and classy performances by Premier B White Best and Fairest runner-up Pulli Gardiyawasam, coupled with Frances Land and Jordan Shanks will no doubt continue in the upcoming season and add depth to the strong playing group.

Old Mentonians

Following a brilliant 2017 season, just missing out claiming the premiership by two points at Elsternwick Park, Old Mentonians moved up a division and displayed resilience in a challenging 2018 season. Old Mentonians will set out to prove themselves and unleash their inner panther, after finishing fifth last year in the Premier B White home and away season. Despite winning three of their last five games, it wasn’t enough to make it to finals. Round 1 will provide the panthers with this opportunity, as they line up at home against the reigning premiers from Premier B White, Old Haileybury. Big things are sure to be seen on the scoreboard from the likes of Hannah Stuart, last year’s equal-leading goal kicker and Belinda Griffiths, 2017’s leading goal kicker. Add the versatile on field performances by Madeleine De Amicis and Ciara Scott to the fray, and the 2019 season is set to be an exciting one at Keysborough Playing Fields under Shane Hamill.

Old Scotch

Scotch Stars will be a side to be reckoned with in the upcoming season. Off the back of a grand final loss to Old Haileybury, the Stars will no doubt be looking to set the record straight in Round 1 as they take on Old Brighton at Camberwell Sports Ground. Young gun Amy Arundel’s consistent on field performances means she is now a VFL-listed player. This will only be a good thing for the Stars, who will reap the benefits of knowledge acquired by Arundel when she runs out with the side. The consistent and relentless efforts of Lily Goss and Anna Hayes will be exciting to watch as the season plays out and both are sure play pivotal roles for the young side. Hayes took out the leading goalscorer accolade for the club and finished runner-up in Premier B White. After an exciting first season in the VAFA, the Stars enter their second year as one of the clear favourites.

Williamstown CYMS

Williamstown CYMS were outstanding in their first year of VAFA women’s football, finishing fourth on the ladder and going down to eventual premiers Whitefriars by five points in the semi-final. Entering their second year in the competition, the Seagals will once again be led by coach Lawrence Henry, which will no doubt provide a brilliant opportunity to build on last year’s performance and add continuity to the playing group. Round 1 is set to provide the Seagals with a decent match up against last years Division 1 minor premiers, Ivanhoe. The growing club will no doubt look to Stephanie Basile to once again cause some damage on the scoreboard throughout the season after being the Seagals’ leading goalscorer last year. Alexendra Schmidt, Felicia Yiannis and Ruby Tripodi will be important to the CY’s success.

Predictions

Premiers: Beaumaris

Top 4: Beaumaris, Old Haileybury, Scotch Stars, Hawthorn AFC

Leading Goal Kicker: Ellie Hearne (Beaumaris)

Best & Fairest Medallist: Lily Goss (Old Scotch)