By Will Faulkner
East Ringwood
Pos: 2nd
W-L: 4-2-1
Percentage: 159.56%
For (Rank): 41.7 points per game (2nd)
Against (Rank): 26.1 points per game (5th)
Leading Goalkicker: Nicola Davidson (12)
It’s been a solid start for the Kangaroos in 2022, having locked away a finals appearance at just the halfway mark of the competition. A comfortable loss to powerhouse Knox and a 14-point downing to Surrey Park have kept the Kangas on their toes, as well as a shock draw with Montrose in Round Two.
Their attack has been stronger than all bar Knox in the league, however their defence has conceded slightly more than they would desire if they are to really challenge the ladder leaders come finals.
Leading the competition for goals kicked, Nicola Davidson and Hayley Thompson have been ultra-consistent in front of the big sticks; each kicking goals in six of the seven games played. The power duo of the competition, it’s a bad day to be a defender coming up against the Roos.
Looking forward, East Ringwood are one of two dark horses who could knock off Knox for the 2022 flag. It will be an uphill battle for sure, but their ability to hit the scoreboard is one of the best in the league.
Heathmont
Pos: 6th
W-L: 1-6
Percentage: 33.75%
For (Rank): 15.6 points per game (6th)
Against (Rank): 46.1 points per game (6th)
Leading Goalkicker: Tahlia Limburg (3)
Despite sitting bottom of the Division Two table, the Jets’ position on the ladder is by no means indicative of what their side is capable of. The presence of leading goalkicker Tahlia Limburg, Michaela Martz, Renee Steer and the Preer girls provide Heathmont with a very strong base to cause some havoc against the stronger sides.
A side filled with youth, they were able to knock off Montrose for their first win of the year in Round Three, before being competitive against Knox the week after. While ultimately the haven’t had as many wins as they would like, there is no doubt about the future at Heathmont being a very bright one if they can keep their core players.
They won’t meet Montrose again until Round 14, however they will still be hopeful of causing upsets against Kilsyth and even Surrey Park in the second half of their season.
The season of Heathmont is absolutely a case of ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’, as they continue to develop a side capable of a lot in the coming seasons.
Kilsyth
Pos: 4th
W-L: 3-4
Percentage: 39.93%
For (Rank): 16.7 points per game (5th)
Against (Rank): 41.9 points per game (2nd)
Leading Goalkicker: Shae Dale (5)
Kilsyth’s 2022 campaign has been nothing short of interesting, with the fourth-placed side finding themselves two games inside the Top Four, despite a percentage of just 39.93. Their unique situation has come about from two close wins to go alongside their 34-point win in Round Two, paired with some heavy losses at the hands of Knox in particular.
In reality, they are not far off the pack of Montrose and Heathmont, however a five-point win against Surrey Park in Round 6 has proven crucial to separating themselves from the two sides.
Up forward, Shae Dale has been the shining light – kicking multiple goals in multiple games against Heathmont and Surrey Park respectively. Finals for the Cougars should become reality, but is by no means a certainty. Wins against Heathmont and Montrose would seal that deal, however as we know – each of those sides are filled with youth and energy. The damage they could cause come finals would be somewhat limited, however they have the wood over fellow candidate Surrey Park, which will only do them good.
Knox
Pos: 1st
W-L: 7-0
Percentage: 398.88%
For (Rank): 50.7 points per game (1st)
Against (Rank): 12.7 points per game (6th)
Leading Goalkicker: Jorja Alexander (10)
Much like Rowville in Division One, Knox have been as close to flawless this season as you can get. Maintaining their perfect record heading into the mid-season break, the Falcons have proven themselves to be an outfit that will take some beating. Going forward they have been very good, but defensively even better – allowing them to win games by an average of 38 points.
Jorja Alexander’s bag of five goals against Kilsyth in Round has been the individual highlight up forward, with great support in Ashleigh Hall (7 goals) and Terri McIntosh (5 goals) when kicking for goal. Zali Wagner has been superb elsewhere, and continues to catch the attention of onlookers while playing.
Moving forward, it’s hard to see Knox slip up to anyone. Sitting two and a half games clear in first, there’s not a whole lot of concern lining up each week. The Cougars will continue to look to hit the scoreboard more often, but their defence has been second to none with less room to improve. They are no doubt the flag favourites, and continue to set the bar higher and higher.
Montrose
Pos: 5th
W-L: 1-5-1
Percentage: 62.96%
For (Rank): 21.9 points per game (4th)
Against (Rank): 34.7 points per game (3rd)
Leading Goalkicker: Rachel Hardy (6)
Much like Heathmont, the promise and future of Montrose’s women’s side is bright. Despite just one win this season, they continue to show sparks of talent in every game they play. With a strong defence and an attack better than fifth place, Montrose could consider themselves unlucky to not be in further contention for a Top Four place.
Rachel Hardy (6 goals) has been busy up forward for her six goals this season, while Tiaran Warford (4 goals) has also been a presence inside 50 wearing navy and red. The Eslick girls have been in and around highlights reels, with Matilda Wilson also consistently finding herself in the best players.
With a percentage significantly better than Kilsyth and a draw to their name, the grabbing of fourth place is by no means out of the question. A win over them and revenge over Heathmont could see the Demon’s slide into the four come season’s end.
Surrey Park
Pos: 3rd
W-L: 4-3
Percentage: 180.77%
For (Rank): 33.6 points per game (3rd)
Against (Rank): 18.6 points per game (5th)
Leading Goalkicker: Chloe Mansfield (6)
Surrey Park’s season has been one of intrigue. A side who doesn’t hit the scorecard as much as those higher on the ladder, but in return limit’s their opponents well enough to win more games than lose. A crucial win against East Ringwood in Round Three looked to have them as the second-best team in the league, however the Kangaroos returned the favour in Round Six to settle such theories. A 16-point loss to Knox in Round Two shows that they can stay competitive against the best, with wayward kicking that day (1.6) costing them of a potential upset.
Chloe Mansfield (6 goals) has chipped away at the scoreboard the most of the Panthers, with the load well shared between her, Lilly Toomey (4 goals), Jemma Wright and Kara Oakley-Smith (3 goals each). Emily Cumming has often made appearances in the best players and caught the attention of umpires.
It’s hard to see Surrey Park drop out of the Top Three given Kilsyth’s inconsistent form, however how much damage they can actually cause in finals remains to be seen. That question should be answered sooner rather than later, with a match up against Knox upcoming fresh off the long-weekend shaping as a tell-all affair down at Surrey Park Reserve on their home deck.
