By Jono Venn.
Eastern Devils Black
Pos: 1st (4-0, 421.88%)
Avg. Points For (Rank): 67.5 (3rd)
Avg. Points Against (Rank): 16 (Equal 5th) Leading Goalkicker: Kelsey Reade (11)
After the tough Division 4 Grand Final loss last year, the Eastern Devils reserves side has sprung to life again.
New players and those who have been in the system for a while have benefitted the side greatly as they sit on top without a loss in the home and away season post the three-week grading period (in which they also didn’t drop a game alongside SBL Wolves Teal and The Basin Red).
2022’s Div 4 leading goal kicker Kelsey Reade sits equal with rival (and former Devil) Shae Dale, setting up a key battle in the matches to come between the Devs and Cougars.
New team members Simone Weragoda and Maddi Brooks have been great additions- both coming from a soccer background while Kerry Sugumar, who finished in the top 3 of the reserves best and fairest for the Devs has had a few senior appearances to top off a great start to this season.
The Devils remain the team to beat this season across both senior and reserves divisions, but Kilsyth and South Croydon are surely set to give last year’s runners-up a run for their money.
Kilsyth
Pos: 3rd (3-1, 311%)
Avg. Points For (Rank): 77.75 (1st)
Avg. Points Against (Rank): 25 (4th)
Leading Goalkicker: Shae Dale (11)
Kilsyth have had a super start to their year despite being in third spot only on percentage.
The Cougars have added some great depth, especially North Melbourne vice- captain Brooke Slaney who has played two games so far. As mentioned, Shae Dale has been fantastic for her side this season, having booted as many as 8 goals in a match (versus The Basin Red in Round 3).
On average, they’re the highest scoring team out of the six in Div 3 for a reason- and while Dale has been a major factor in front of goal, she’s had Kayla Villarreal for company, featuring in the bests every game so far with two best ons- against the Eastern Devils and South Croydon Red, two of their fiercest competitors this season.
The Cougars face the Devils once in Round 9, where they will attempt to get one back on them after a thriller at Mulgrave just over a fortnight ago. They’ll also take on South Croydon Red in back-to-back fixtures to close out the season. Every win is crucial as they go hard for a spot in the top two.
SBL Wolves Teal
Pos: 4th (2-2)
Avg. Points For (Rank): 50 (4th)
Avg. Points Against (Rank): 22.5 (3rd) Leading Goalkicker: Amy Watson (9)
The SBL Wolves reserves’ side, along with their other reserves counterparts in the top four, continue to mirror the success of their seniors. Both Wolves sides are in fourth spot and are firming for finals.
They finished well on top after the grading fixtures with a percentage of 560- three wins from three matches, the most notable win was against the currently second- placed South Croydon Red by 14 points.
Brooke Watson and Areeb Hassan have been standouts for the side, featuring in the best six for three out of four games played in the home and away season.
For the Wolves, a top four spot seems likely. Numbers-wise, they deserve to be there- especially when ‘average points for’ is considered. They should be able to hold on, a big win against The Basin this coming weekend could see a significant jump in percentage that could ice up the four. Following that though, they’ve got tough tests against Kilsyth back-to-back at Pinks Reserve. One thing’s for sure, these two games will define how well the Wolves reserves do in the finals series.
South Croydon Red
Pos: 2nd (3-1, 456.25)
Avg. Points For (Rank): 73 (2nd)
Avg. Points Against (Rank): 16 (Equal 5th)
Leading Goalkicker: Danielle Zeniou (14)
The incredible similarities between the reserves and senior side duos continue- with South Croydon being no exception.
A phrase often used comes to mind when thinking of the Bulldogs: the usual suspects are standing up. Danielle Zeniou leads the charge in front of goal with 14 majors, while they’ve also used plenty of senior experience to their advantage- Brooke Stephenson-Fuss (four matches) and Brenda Lay (four matches, 2 TIB) just to name a couple.
They’ve got a few matches against the ladder-leaders, Eastern Devils Black. Much like the Wolves in their back-to back matches against Kilsyth, the Devils-Bulldogs matches are crucial for South Croydon as both seniors and reserves sides take a huge shot for premiership success.
The Basin Red
Pos: 5th
Avg. Points For (Rank): 7 (5th)
Avg. Points Against (Rank): 117.25 (1st) Leading Goalkicker: Leisa Beggs (3)
Despite having three wins in the grading games and finishing in second spot behind the aforementioned SBL Wolves Teal, it’s been tough going for the Bears reserves side in 2023.
To their credit, their highest score in the post-grading games came against the Eastern Devils, with the Bears scoring 21 points in their round 1 match. Leisa Beggs and Patricia Boxell were in the goal scorers that day.
The Bears are yet to face the sixth-placed Vermont and fourth-placed SBL Wolves. Hopefully they can break through with a few wins to see out the year, although it’s still possible for a run to the finals if other results go their way. The Basin face the Eagles and Wolves twice, while they’ll face the Devils and Cougars a third time to round out the home-and-away season.
Vermont Gold
Pos: 6th (0-4, 5.97%)
Avg. Points For (Rank): 2.25 (6th)
Avg. Points Against (Rank): 80.75 (2nd) Leading Goalkicker: Lily McQueen (1)
The premiers of Division 4 from last year have had a tough start to the 2023 season, with a different group this year.
The Eagles had a win against Kilsyth in the grading series, but have not been able to register a win in the home-and-away season.
They’ll only face Kilsyth once in the weeks leading up to the season’s close, with the chance to register wins against the Basin and last year’s grand finalists the Eastern Devils.
