Division 1 Women’s Season Preview

The Division 1 Women’s Competition has seen a shakeup this year, with last year’s grand finalists Marcellin and Old Brighton amongst a host of teams who have moved into a new section, paving the way for a new Division 1 Premier, as the competition expands to ten teams.

GLEN EIRA/OLD MCKINNON

After only losing one match last season, Division 2 premiers Glen Eira/Old McKinnon find themselves up in Division 1. Coach Mel Kuys is back for the 2025 season after the Gryphs’ success last year and will be looking to replicate that stellar form once again.

Last year, the team was recognised for not only their skills around the ball but also their cohesive nature and how they were able to gel as a team so strongly. Moving up a division will be a challenge; however, they loom as one of the clubs to beat this season.

Zoe Rossiter has recommitted to the club for the 2025 season and will look to take her game to a new level, after winning the VAFA Division 2 Leading Goalkicker award in 2024.

HAMPTON ROVERS

The Rovers will debut their new coaching lineup this year, with Alana Graham appointed to co-head Coach alongside Brent Ward for the season. In another key change, after a strong 2024 season, Shae Raywood is back as co-captain.

The Rovers were one of the strongest teams last year, with some massive wins, but falling just short to Glen Eira in the Grand Final. All the foundations of a strong team are there, and welcoming back some former players presents them as a strong force in 2025. The Grand Final rematch in Round 7 is a big one to look out for.

HAWTHORN

Another team moving up the ranks in 2025, Hawthorn will look to improve on last year’s season. Finishing with only four wins for the year, the team showed glimpses of the threat they pose when they are at their best. However, it will be a challenge as they look to impose themselves on the competition given the big losses they faced at the hands of Power House and the Gryphons.

Their best footy stacks up, losing to the Rovers by only 13 points late last year. However, they will want to impose themselves on the competition early if they are to stay in Division 1 prior to the regrading in Round 4.

Best Club-person winner Tessa Bodin is back for another big year as she edges closer to the 100 games club, whilst Best and Fairest winner Mia Mathias is also back to lead from the front.

OAKLEIGH

After just narrowly missing out on finals last year, Oakleigh will be primed for a big season and a tilt at the premiership. Pat Torpey will take the reins at the club this year, with captain Ruby Ford recommitting to the club alongside him. Ruby’s flexible playing capabilities make her an extremely important player for this team, predominantly playing as ruck but also popping up for a handy goal when needed.

POWER HOUSE

After two very strong years in the Division 2 competition, Power House will be eyeing off an elusive flag in Division 1. Finishing as minor premiers and Grand Final runners up in 2023, then falling short against the Rovers in Week 1 of finals last year, this is a highly motivated team.

Rob Pryde will coach Power House, having been promoted from Head Trainer to Senior Coach as a result of his hard work and dedication to the club. Power House pride themselves on their “never give up attitude” and this is sure to be on display once again in 2025.

WHITEFRIARS

A similar team to Power House in a sense, as Whitefriars look to avenge last season’s gut wrenching preliminary final defeat and prove their football capabilities. Finished second on the ladder last season but fell agonisingly short against the Rovers in the Prelim and couldn’t stack up to the Gryphons in Week 1 of finals.

A much deserved elevation to Division 1, particularly after they had three players named in the Division 2 Team of the Year. Their best player and captain of that side, Clare Fernandes, looms as a crucial piece to holding up the premiership cup.

MONASH BLUES

Monash looms as a real wildcard for this division. After playing in the William Buck Premier Women’s Competition in 2024, they unfortunately failed to pose a threat to the other teams, winning just two games for the season. However, they will look to bounce back in this competition and will no doubt have a strong mindset after having the opportunity to play in the Premier competition.

Shane Chapman will coach once again and after a challenging 2024, he’ll be looking to get the team back to the form which saw them win the 2023 Premier B Grand Final.

RICHMOND CENTRAL

Richmond Central have shown they have a fighting spirit, with their six wins last season not truly indicative of their performance. Defeating Whitefriars and falling just short to them later in the season, whilst also narrowly losing to the Rovers twice it is evident that they possess the qualities to dominate games.

Louise Allen and Mia Hyde-Smith both return as co-captains, with Hyde-Smith needing to emulate her 2024 season form in order to see Richmond Central cement their place in the competition.

OLD HAILEYBURY

One of the only clubs to remain in Division 1 after last season… 2024 was unfortunately not a year to remember for Old Haileybury. Finishing bottom of the ladder with four wins for the year, Old Haileybury have familiarised themselves with the competition standard after their first year in their new division.

This year, expect to see some strong off-season training translate into more wins and impressive game play as they kick into gear. Will no doubt be extra motivated to try and bring home the cup after the Premier Men’s team success last year.

THERRY PENOLA

A team who has jumped up the most grades out of everyone, Therry Penola comes up from Division 3 after securing the Premiership as well as finishing atop the ladder. They only lost one game in 2024, way back in Round 1, and their elevation to Division 1 will be an interesting watch.

Jumping up multiple divisions could see them fail to live up to the contest or could propel this cohesive side to take their game to another level. The club chose to re-sign Senior Coach Dean Boden for the 2025 season who is ready to take on a bigger challenge this season.