By Josh Ward.
Boronia Gold
Pos: 8th (0-4, 10.2%)
For (Rank): 10.3 points per game, 8th
Against (Rank): 100.5 points against per game, 8th
Leading Goalkicker: Gemma Weeks (2 in 2)
There’s been plenty of signs of improvement from the Boronia development side after a lean few years.
Whilst their one win came in the opening round of grading they’ve been competitive in most of their games, even getting close to second placed Mitcham at Walker Park.
Gemma Weeks has been a consistent performer up forward and players such as Stacey Ponton and Crystal Chinn have been able to return or push their way into the senior side.
With a few winnable games in the run home the Hawks will look to develop even further and be competitive against sides higher up the table.
Coldstream
Pos: 1st (4-0, 887.88%)
For (Rank): 73.3 points per game, 1st
Against (Rank): 8.3 points against per game, 1st
Leading Goalkicker: Jessie McIlrath & Madison Stark (8 goals each)
The improvement of the Coldstream women’s program has continued in their third season with this strong start to 2023.
With the defence as solid as it was last year the attacking side of things has improved for Ben Gardner’s side who continue to pile on the scores each week.
Abbey Broughan, Sophie and Maddison Stark have come in and made an immediate impact in the forward line and through midfield. Familiar faces in Stacey Moate Glider and Jessie McIllrath have also continued to improve each week.
With this strong opening half the Cougars will look to press home their advantage as they take on the ‘hunted’ mantle in this division.
Fairpark
Pos: 5th (2-2, 60.33%)
For (Rank): 18.3 points per game, 7th
Against (Rank): 30.3 points against per game, 4th
Leading Goalkicker: Sarah Birthisel (8 in 2)
There’s been plenty of improvements made in the Fairpark’s women’s program in their third season under new coach Terry Lewis.
After losing their opening two games in Division 2 they’ve gotten their season as well as their finals aspirations right back on track in the last fortnight.
Sarah Birthisel has been the key catalyst for the side up forward with plenty of big bags. Bianca Firth and Larissa Thomas have also continued to improve and be reliable performers for Lewis.
With their week-by-week improvement and with a reasonable run home the Lions will consider themselves every chance of pushing and even leapfrogging into a finals spot.
Mitcham –
Pos: 2nd (3-1, 341.18%)
For (Rank): 43.5 points per game, 3rd
Against (Rank): 12.8 points against per game, 2nd
Leading Goalkicker: Neve Coghlan (7 in 4)
It’s been yet another strong start for Mitcham in Division 4 who continue to build the foundation for a strong women’s program.
Much like Coldstream the defence continues to be solid, and even without star recruit Georgia Fairbairn the forward line has also been prominent.
Filling that void has been Blackburn junior Neve Coghlan who’s had a terrific start to life in senior footy. Riley Holloway has also continued to be reliable as ever alongside 2022 Team of the Year member Hannah Linnett.
With momentum having been built in their opening month of the regular season the Tigers will look to keep the train rolling heading into another likely finals appearance.
Mooroolbark
Pos: 4th (3-1, 130.65%)
For (Rank): 20.3 points per game, 5th
Against (Rank): 15.5 points against per game, 3rd
Leading Goalkicker: Joanne Vogt & Kaylah Young (3 goals each)
After improving towards the back end of their first season the improvement has continued into 2023 for Mooroolbark.
Three of their four games in Division 4 have been decided by four points or less, with their strong defence standing firm in two of those games to get them over the line
Jordyn Doevelaar has continued to provide consistency alongside the ever-reliable Joanne Vogt. New faces in Kaylah Young and Ruby Haberfield have also proven to be invaluable additions to the side.
Whilst they’ve come out the better on most tight occasions the Mustangs will look to bolster their percentage to gain even more momentum heading into finals.
Nunawading
Pos: 3rd (3-1, 200%)
For (Rank): 55 points per game, 2nd
Against (Rank): 27.5 points against per game, 4th
Leading Goalkicker: Ella Stuart (7 in 4)
Nunawading have also been yet another side to make major improvements in their second season following a solid first year.
With plenty of attacking weapons this time around the side has more often than not been able to finish games strongly and run over the top of sides.
Recruit Ella Stuart has led the way this time around and has been well supported by Emily Whalan. Alex Lever has also been reliable in her first season along with ex-Ferntree Gully stars Alex Hacking and Brydee Oakman.
With a strong percentage as well as sitting only a game from the minor premiership the Lions will look to push sides around them as well as for top spot by season’s end.
Wantirna South
Pos: 7th (0-4, 65.47%)
For (Rank): 22.8 points per game, 4th
Against (Rank): 34.8 points against per game, 7th
Leading Goalkicker: Keeley Bristowe (3 in 4)
In only their first season the Devils have continued to improve week on week under ex-AFL umpire Michael Vozzo.
Whilst on occasion teams have run over the top of them they’ve still held their own and have even scored freely on occasion.
There’s been plenty of contributors all across the park for Vozzo so far, with players such as Kathryn Macpherson, Amy Vozzo, Alexandra Waters and Keeley Bristowe all stringing consistent seasons so far.
There’d be plenty of belief instilled in this young Devils lineup who’ll look to build on it and pick up that elusive first win as well as gain momentum in the second half of 2023.
Warrandyte
Pos: 6th (1-3, 58.02%)
For (Rank): 19 points per game, 6th
Against (Rank): 32.8 points against per game, 6th
Leading Goalkicker: Casey Ryan and Zoe Greenhill (2 goals each)
Warrandyte have also been as solid as the Devils in their first ever campaign with a women’s side under Tom Woodward.
Pushing the likes of top four sides in Coldstream and Nunawading, they’ve also managed to pick up wins along the way to start the season.
Rebekah Cullen-Hall has been the star of the show for Woodward’s side in her first season of senior footy whilst Warrandyte juniors in Georgia D’Amico, Meg Callow and Maddison Trewella have also made an impact at senior level.
With belief there for the Bloods they’ll look to continue to gain more experience, develop and even cause an upset or two in the backhalf of the season.