Teams jockey for top spots as the VAFA season reaches halfway mark

As the VAFA season reaches its midpoint, the Premier B Women’s remains a fiercely contested competition, with the mid-table teams fighting to climb the ladder to secure their ticket to play finals.

The undefeated Williamstown CYMS remain ahead of the pack, with Old Geelong and Fitzroy trailing with only one and two losses to date, respectively. Beaumaris and St Bedes/Mentone Tigers remain neck and neck on 16 points, having both won and lost four games apiece. Old Xaverians, Westbourne Grammarians, and Aquinas will need a strong second half of the season to climb the ranks to secure their spot in finals.

Old Geelong emerged victorious against Aquinas over the weekend, showcasing their dominance and tactical prowess on the field. Their lead was solidified by impressive performances from Tessa Longden and Matilda Arthur, each contributing three goals.

Despite Aquinas’ commendable defensive pressure, which forced Old Geelong to kick 11 behinds, Old Geelong’s offensive strength proved overwhelming. Aquinas struggled to break through and failed to put a goal on the board.

The final score reflected Old Geelong’s dominance, finishing at 11.11 (77) to 0.2 (2). This commanding win highlights Old Geelong’s form as they continue their campaign in VAFA Prem B Women’s.

Williamstown CYMS added another week to their undefeated streak with a commanding victory over Beaumaris, finishing with a score of 9.4 (58) to 1.3 (9). The CY’s dominated the game from the start, showcasing their superior skills and teamwork. The standout player for Williamstown was Loren Mills, who delivered a spectacular performance, kicking five goals.

Beaumaris struggled to penetrate Williamstown’s strong defence, managing only one goal throughout the match. This solitary goal was kicked by Poppy Morris in the second quarter, offering a brief moment of reprieve for the away side. Despite their efforts, Beaumaris was unable to match the intensity and skill of Williamstown, who controlled the game with precision and efficiency.

Fitzroy showcased a dominant performance against St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, kicking five goals in the first quarter. This early surge set the tone for the match, as Fitzroy’s offensive and defensive efforts kept St Bedes/Mentone scoreless for most of the game.

Fitzroy coach Nathan Jumeau says “Getting started right from the first bounce has been something we’ve struggled with early in the season and the players have really taken on themselves in wanting to get off to a good start. The last two weeks we’ve seemed to have turned the corner.”

Fitzroy’s players displayed excellent coordination and skill, consistently pressuring their opponents and maintaining control of the field. Chloe Haritopoulos, Robyn Randell, and Ester Boles kicked two goals each, showing the depth of Fitzroy’s offensive talent.

Jumeau says that in the “Second half of the year we’re really looking to expand on our game, now that our new and younger players have become accustomed to senior-level football. The push to get back up into the premier competition is something we will be working hard to achieve.”

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers struggled to find their footing against Fitzroy’s formidable defence. It wasn’t until the final quarter that skipper, Maddi Wilson, kicked their sole goal for the game. Despite this late effort, it was not enough to turn the tide, and Fitzroy secured a decisive victory of 9.6 (60) to 1.2 (8).

In the most closely contested match of the round, Westbourne Grammarians edged out Old Xaverians with a final score of 4.8 (32) to 2.11 (23). The game started with Westbourne displaying a strong offensive front, kicking three goals in the first half, while Old Xaverians managed to score only one. Westbourne’s early dominance showcased their attacking prowess and set the stage for an intense battle.

Westbourne coach Ian Allan said it was a close match that could’ve gone either way.

“The team is really starting to think for each other, and we executed a good level of pressure for four quarters, which is what we have been working towards,” says Allan.

The second half saw a more balanced contest, with both teams kicking one goal each. Old Xaverians had more opportunities at goal throughout the match but failed to capitalise on key opportunities to close the margin, due to outstanding pressure from Westbourne.

Coach Allan said his side are really looking forward to the bye weekend as an opportunity to rest, reflect on the past 8-weeks, and analyse what has and hasn’t been working to give Westbourne the best chance of a successful second half of the season.

Round 9 of the Premier B Women’s competition promises thrilling encounters. St Bedes/Mentone Tigers will face Aquinas, with both sides eager to bounce back from recent defeats.

Fitzroy, coming off a strong win, takes on Old Xaverians in what promises to be a tightly contested match. Beaumaris hosts Old Geelong, with the latter looking to maintain their winning momentum. Meanwhile, Westbourne Grammarians will challenge the undefeated Williamstown CYMS, aiming to end their remarkable streak.

As the season progresses, each match carries significant weight, with teams vying for crucial points in the race for the finals.