Wilson Women’s Preview: Round 11

Alisha Min

Round 10 results are IN: Old Trinity retained their grip atop the William Buck Premier Women’s ladder via a 25-point win over Marcellin, SKOB Saints’ comprehensive premiership quarter set them up for an 10-point win over Kew, a strong opening half saved St Mary’s Salesian from a surging Fitzroy-ACU, and West Brunswick held Melbourne University scoreless in their sizeable Saturday seize.

Warmer climates have beckoned Marcellin’s Laura Robertson and forward-line superstar, and leading William Buck Premier Women’s goalkicker, Shaylee Taylor (26 goals). So, the question lingers as to whether the fifth placed Sheagles will be able to poach a spot in finals action considering they’re two games out of the four with only four rounds remaining. They’ll be undoubtedly tested this weekend when they host an impressive SKOB side. The T’s, who continuously rise to the occasion, are the envy of the section with Big V representatives Vanessa Murphy and Imogen Barnett brilliant combination in the middle. Their Sunday outing with the Mugars, who are the only remaining senior women’s team in the VAFA Wilson Women’s competition yet to register a win in 2019, is unlikely to change their trajectory. The Roy Girls will look for win number two against the Bears (6^th), who now sit 4-5 after winning three of the opening four rounds. Perhaps the only rivalry that exists in this section, head down McAlister Oval on Saturday afternoon to watch an intense contest between West Brunswick and St Mary’s – where the Magpies hold the ascendancy 5-3.

Premier B

Though bye rounds can be a time to recuperate for some, for others they can halt momentum entirely – and it appears Monash Blues were struck by the latter as they were put to the sword by a fiery Caulfield Grammarians by 50 points at Frearson Oval. In what was a fantastic team performance by the Fields, spearheaded by a consecutive BOG performance by Big V star Irena Malliaras (2), the back-six deserve much of the accolade for keeping the Blues to their lowest total for the season (9pts compared to their 48pt average) and holding leading Premier B goalkicker, Ella Stephenson, goalless for the first time. Despite the loss, Big V vice-captain Xanthea Dewez was again a picture of consistency for the Uni side, taking out the best-on accolade for the third time. St Bedes/Mentone Tigers made Old Camberwell a bit nervy in Round 10, outscoring our new ladder-leaders two goals to 1.2 in the second half, but a solid opening half enabled the Wellers to notch win number six for the year. Accurate kicking from Olivia Gleeson (2) wasn’t enough for Old Geelong to take-down Old Xaverians – a team who’s only dropped one match (against the Fields) in the last six rounds. In Round 11, the Blues, Fields and Collegians will search for wins on the road against the OGs, Wellers and Tigers, respectively, while Xavs have the bye round and will hope to return in Round 12 refreshed and on the brink of finals action.

Premier C

The Premier C enthusiast would be enthralled with the outcomes of Round 10; a first time winner and a top-of-the-ladder scalp – outstanding! The former of which can only be in reference to a victory for North Brunswick, and that’s precisely what occurred in front of the Allard Park faithful thanks to an 18-point margin over Old Melburnians. Steering the Bulls to on-field success, Anna Roberts was integral, notching her second best-on outing in three weeks, while Susie Worthington snagged two of the team’s three majors. Following their courageous eight-point victory over first-placed Yarra Old Grammarians in Round 10, the match-up which awaits us between the winning Canterbury (4^th) and South Melbourne Districts (3^rd) this weekend holds a lot of weight when deliberating the four sides who will partake in finals action. RMIT University will be focussed on their scoreboard impact ahead of their clash with OM’s this weekend, while the battle of the Brunswicks (Renegades v North) will transpire at Alec Gillon oval. Unlikely to stumble two weeks in a row, expect the Bushrangers to come out all guns blazing against Mazenod on Sunday afternoon.

Division 1

A low-scoring joust at Keysborough Playing Fields in Round 10 saw La Trobe University (7^th) claim win number two for 2019, credit to a BOG performance from Lillyan Molloy and goals from Samantha Greene (1) and Antonietta D’Angelo (1), over Old Mentonians. Consecutive losses in Round 9 & Round 10 saw the Panthers dreams of finals footy drift further out of reach, but a victory over Old Haileybury this weekend, who sit two games above them in fifth, will bring that goal a little closer. The Hearts, who will be disheartened by Scotch Stars’ 33-point victory margin in Round 10 (their worst loss since Round 2), will have other ideas. Beaumaris will be flying high following their controversial 20-point win over the highly fancied Old Brighton, a match which was abandoned shortly into the third term because of ground lighting issues, but the Sharks will take the four points and be all the more motivated for their match against Hawthorn. The Tonners will need to rebound, and rebound quickly, ahead of their finals-insight game against Scotch Stars this weekend, and the Trobers will seek win number three over Ivanhoe (4^th) at their University home ground.

Division 2

Headlining news in Division 2 VAFA Wilson Women’s football from the weekend gone was Westbourne Grammarians’ shock win over then ladder-leaders, Therry Penola, to the tune of four points. The Warriors, driven by Madison Dragt (2) and first-gamer Morgan Lowe, led at every change in this impressive scalp to knock the Lions down a peg to second, whilst elevating themselves into sixth and within striking distance of a finals berth. Nothing could distinguish Whitefriars from Old Ivanhoe in their tousle at Whitefriars College in Round 10, so a draw followed suite, though both will strive for more advantageous results in their respective Round 11 games against Aquinas and Old Carey, if they’re to affirm themselves in the top four. Williamstown CYMS will have a tough time defending their newly found (1^st) crown, with the Lions sure to want to dislodge and reclaim the title via a victory at Downer Oval.

Division 3

It was the weekend of big bags in Division 3. UHS-VU continued on their merry way as silverware favourites with a comprehensive 91-point outing against Emmaus St Leo’s, while Hampton Rovers put their stumble against our ladder-leaders in Round 9 to bed via a 60-point defeat over Prahran Assumption (6^th). After succumbing 91-points per game in two consecutive weeks, the Animalettes (9^th) will look forward to their impending date with Swinburne University (10^th), given the last time they met (Round 3) resulted in a two-point victory. With an incredible 44-goal tally so far this year, including two weeks bagging five majors in Round 9 & Round 10, the Vultures’ Madeline Hince looks primed to wreck havoc against Preston Bullants, while a victory over Hampton Rovers (3^rd) will keep Bulleen Templestowe (5^th) in touch with the top four. Two losses in two weeks has seen the Two Blues drop from fourth to sixth, and a match up on Saturday morning against their replacement, Oakleigh (4^th), will be a big test.

Division 4

Four rounds remaining in Division 4, and there’s a case for essentially every team in the section to make finals (pending other results go their way). Though arguably the least likely to make the final four given their ladder position (8^th) and solitary win for the season to date, you won’t completely write-off Albert Park if they manage to upset the favoured Glen Eira/Old McKinnon at Packer Reserve this weekend. A fairly evenly poised MCC Football Club and De La Salle will look to bridge the gap between themselves and fourth spot with a win in their battle. The red-hot St Bernard’s team, who just notched their second consecutive win, and highest score of the year, in Round 10 (41pts), will undeniably be a challenge for fourth placed Parkdale Vultures – particularly at the Snake Pit! With Division 4’s leading goalkicker, Maddy Smart (16), booting four majors in their last outing against Richmond Central, Ajax will have their eyes peeled for her down forward in their rematch in Round 11.