By Will Faulkner
Beaconsfield
Pos: 4th
W-L: 2-3-1
Percentage: 94.77%
For (Rank): 27.2 points per game (5th)
Against (Rank): 28.7 points per game (3rd)
Leading Goalkicker: Georgia Malkoun (11)
Beaconsfield head into the mid-season break smack-bang in the middle of the ladder, finding themselves rounding out the four remarkably with more losses than wins. A Round six draw against Chirnside Park in a low-scoring affair gives them a half-game buffer over fifth place Ringwood, which could be crucial come the end of the minor rounds.
Forward livewire Georgia Malkoun has been the talking point up forward, slotting 11 goals so far this season; including a five-goal haul against Blackburn. Support in the forward line around Malkoun could certainly be improved, with a huge clash against the second-placed Park Orchards their first game back from the extended break a great opportunity to do so.
A top two spot in the finals seems highly unlikely, however the girls at Holm Park Reserve will be fighting amongst North Ringwood and Ringwood for the remaining two spots in the all-important top four.
We should see them continue their pursuit for a premiership after the finals, just.
Blackburn
Pos: 7th
W-L: 0-6
Percentage: 4.41%
For (Rank): 3.3 points per game (7th)
Against (Rank): 75.7 points per game (7th)
Leading Goalkickers: Kirby Hope and Mia Renee Chadwick (1)
It’s been a very tough season so far for the girls in red and black, who have hit hard on the scoreboard seven rounds into the competition. A 16-point loss (11-27) to Chirnside Park in Round One showed signs of promise at the start of the 2022 season, however since then the Morton Park-based side have scored just nine points across their next five games.
A 111-point loss to North Ringwood in Round Five was certainly a low point, however development is undoubtedly now the focus for the Blackburn side. From a glass-half-full perspective, their room for improvement and growth as players is greater than other sides in the competition. Hopefully by that measure, we will start to see a smaller gap in margins on the scoreboard for the second half of their season.
Their first game after the bye against Chirnside Park away is absolutely their best chance of scoring a win this season, however after that the odds are certainly against them against the stronger sides.
A big emphasis will be put on this next match, before looking towards maximum development in their players before the 2023 season.
Chirnside Park
Pos: 6th
W-L: 1-4-1
Percentage: 25.45%
For (Rank): 14 points per game (6th)
Against (Rank): 55 (6th)
Leading Goalkickers: Jasmyn McSweeney and Jessica Jeeves (2)
The case of Chirnside Park over the last few years has been an interesting one. Winning the Women’s Premier Division flag just three years ago in 2019, their 2022 season in Division 1 has been quite the contrast. A win over the bottom-placed Blackburn and draw against Beaconsfield have been the two games this season they have walked away with premiership points. Excluding them, their remaining four games have seen some harsh results.
A 20-goal loss to Park Orchards heading into the long-weekend bye will do their confidence no favours, as a match-up with Blackburn next round looming as what could be their last game for the season that they will head in as favourites.
Jasmyn McSweeney and Jessica Jeeves are the two players who have hit the scoreboard multiple times so far this season. Jeeves has been a particular standout this season, while all three D’arcy girls have been impressive in the yellow and black. They should definitely score at least one more win this season, and look to keep it close in other remaining fixtures.
North Ringwood
Pos: 3rd
W-L: 4-2
Percentage: 139.05%
For (Rank): 48.7 points per game (3rd)
Against (Rank): 35 points per game (4th)
Leading Goalkicker: Shannon Harris (10)
The girls at North Ringwood are sitting pretty in third place at the halfway mark of the season, and are just keeping in touch with the Top Two as they look to build on a relatively strong start.
A convincing win over Ringwood and a crucial four points against Beaconsfield have set the Saints six points clear of fourth place, and it’s now their finals berth to lose.
Shannon Harris has led a strong North Ringwood forward line in 2022, kicking goals in five of her six matches so far this season. She is well complemented by Carli Forbes (7 goals) and Melissa Gilmore (4 goals), who have helped share the scoring load.
The toughest of matchups come straight after the bye for North Ringwood, as they head away to play the undefeated Rowville. From there though, the Saints will be rightful favourites in most of their remaining fixtures before an imminent finals campaign. Their game against Rowville will tell us a lot about just how much damage they can do after the minor rounds as a dark horse for the Division One flag.
Park Orchards
Pos: 2nd
W-L: 5-1
Percentage: 304.76%
For (Rank): 64 points per game (2nd)
Against (Rank): 21 points per game (6th)
Leading Goalkicker: Alannah Boell (9)
Currently the grand final contenders to play Rowville at the season’s end, Park Orchards will be quite happy with how they sit at the break. Their 43-point-loss to the ladder leaders in Round Six would have dented their confidence slightly, but it will certainly be a ‘you win or you learn’ mentality for the Sharks in pursuit of what would be an incredible premiership to win.
The Sharks have had several key influencers on the scoreboard this season, with Alanna Boell, Mia McAuliffe, Georgia Searle and Penny Bowman all kicking at least half a dozen goals so far.
Their next big test should realistically be in Round 13 when they host Rowville, although they’ll want to still make sure they bring their A-game in Round 11 against North Ringwood away in a Saturday twilight fixture. The girls in red and black should see themselves finish in second place. Even with a win against Rowville in Round 13, a top-spot finish is still unlikely given the significant percentage difference. Either way, they are the main contender to knock off Rowville for 2022 success in Division One.
Ringwood
Pos: 5th
W-L: 2-4
Percentage: 73.36%
For (Rank): 28 points per game (4th)
Against (Rank): 38.2 (5th)
Leading Goalkicker: Georgia Fairbairn (11)
A scrappy first half of the season for Ringwood in 2022, with the club showing glimpses of talent that could see them fight their way into the all-important Top Four. The Redbacks have been commendable going forward, however have been slightly let down in defence against the stronger sides.
It’s been all about Georgia Fairbairn this season in front of the big sticks, with the star forward kicking 13 goals in just four games this season; highlighted by a large eight-goal haul over Blackburn heading into the mid-season break. Tiana Johnson has been one of the consistent performers for the fifth-placed side, with Zoe Cant also holding the side in good measure.
It’s still a tough road ahead for the Redbacks to make finals, with their matchup against Beaconsfield the obvious match that looms as season-defining. They were held goalless in their Round Four matchup; however signs suggest there has been improvement that will hold them in good stead for their Round 11 rematch away.
By no means put a line through their 2022 campaign, however it’s more uphill than downhill for the Jubilee Park specialists looking ahead in the second half of the season.
Rowville
Pos: 1st
W-L: 6-0
Percentage: 685.71%
For (Rank): 80 points per game (1st)
Against (Rank): 11.7 (7th)
Leading Goalkicker: Danielle Brotto (13)
Last, but furthest from the least, it’s the dominance of Rowville in 2022. Undefeated and untested so far this season, the Hawks have been nothing short of dominant. Averaging 80 points a game is a measure to how they are far and away the best offensive team in the competition. Defensively, they are just as good – remarkably conceding less than 12 points a game on average across the first half-a-dozen matches.
The load up forward has been shared better than any other side unsurprisingly, with Danielle Brotto (13 goals), Caitlin Bell and Jade Wise (10 goals each) all making regular appearances on the score sheet. Their consistency in front of goal is undoubtedly what holds them in good stead heading into finals this year, and leaves them undeniable favourites for the premiership.
It’s quite hard to see them slip up before then, however no team is completely perfect. Park Orchards looks to be the only team that realistically can knock them off, and even then, it seems more unlikely than likely.
