By Trent Callen
Boronia (Gold)
Pos: 6th
W-L: 0-7
Percentage: 3%
For (Rank): 3.57 (6th)
Against (Rank): 118.29 (6th)
Leading Goalkicker: Darcy Langford
Best + Fairest Leader: Genevieve Lyons
Bereft of the depth noticeable at the top of the table, Boronia in the two-team setup they boast, the latter of which is the development side, sit winless to date, with learnings all to be taken out of Season 2022 so far. It’s been a harsh reality reading over weekly EFNL results for Hawks supporters with little to cheer about.
Darcy Langford provided a smile for fans in the Tormore Reserve area with the only major scored coming off her boot opposed to the Basin the week prior, a plural however, unable to be added to the goal column that’s been stuck in singular form post Round one.
Grade: D-
Eastern Devils (Black)
Pos: 4th
W-L: 4-2
Percentage: 225.96%
For (Rank): 78.33 (1st)
Against (Rank): 34.67 (4th)
Leading Goalkicker: Nicole Price/Chloe Hunt (8)
Best + Fairest Leader: Kathleen Fahey
The Devils rollercoaster of a year commenced by claiming the big scalp of Vermont, then more recently dismissing South Croydon in uncomplicated fashion, throwing a spanner in the works.
The week prior playing the Basin they were embarrassed, scoreless and in desperate need to bounce back, something they successfully did with that win over the Dogs.
Could this be the confidence boost that they needed? Can this now springboard their season? Which Eastern Devils will show up next week?
The two notable goalkickers for Eastern, unsurprisingly as a result lead the way in the competitions’ standings, with eight each respectively. Price and Hunt are to blame for the number one rank in scores for the Devils, a remarkable feat in its’ own right.
A deep run into finals action will be on the cards ensuring the clamps are put on defensively as their back six structure will be tested to the max under the pressure cooker environment that is finals football.
Grade: B
SBL Wolves (Teal)
Pos: 5th
W-L: 1-6
Percentage: 46.58%
For (Rank): 29.14 (5th)
Against (Rank): 62.57 (5th)
Leading Goalkicker: Ayla Cosgrave (3)
Best + Fairest Leader: Jessica Webber
The Wolves, as the above would suggest, are at a deserved 5th on the Deakin University ladder, showing glimpses of potential throughout games only to fall victim to the contagious nature of inaccurate kicking in front of goal on multiple circumstances.
The kind fixturing means they will face Boronia on three occasions in Season 2022, not enough by calculations to sneak a spot in the four but every chance to notch up another couple of wins improving that overall record.
The likes of Areeb Hassan, Emma Pendlebury and Jessica Webber are all the major ball winners appearing in the best for their efforts on a consistent basis. Although, where red flags jump off the page lies within the scarce variety of votes handed out, raising a worrying sign for the Wolves, who in order to thrive need to ‘hunt in packs’ with whole team buy in.
Grade: D
South Croydon (Red)
Pos: 2nd
W-L: 4-1
Percentage: 238%
For (Rank): 59.6 (4th)
Against (Rank): 25 (3rd)
Leading Goalkicker: Alana Prendergast (8)
Best + Fairest Leader: Alana Prendergast
The blue, white and red of South Croydon have chalked up four wins from their handful of games, marching into second spot with a neat win percentage of 80% on the dot. The only blemish in their short run thus far came at the hands of the Eastern Devils who have spelled trouble for now a pair of contenders.
The Prendergast surname is sending alarm bells ringing for opposition teams. The Alana variety on this occasion has started the year like a house on fire, staking her claim in the conversation for best and fairest talk come season end.
It’s been not only the efforts of a single teammates heavy lifting but in fact a shared responsibility to achieve a common goal, with the likes of Cassandra Godwin a regular vote getter and Bridget Russo providing a helping hand.
The postponement of their Round Three Eastern Devils rematch is earmarked as a blockbuster matchup in the setting of Mullum Mullum, with history suggesting it has been a happy hunting ground for the dogs.
Grade: A
The Basin (Green)
Pos: 3rd
W-L: 5-2
Percentage: 309%
For (Rank): 69.29 (2nd)
Against (Rank): 22.43 (2nd)
Leading Goalkicker: Patricia Boxell (9)
Best + Fairest Leader: Isabella Garbuio
The Basin sit poised 3rd on the ladder which calls to attention the sizeable gap the top two teams have bridged on the rest of the competition. Nonetheless, the Bears have proven to be all encompassing of sides beneath them, none more ruthless than their three figured demolition job on the Devils in Round six, growing their percentage that stands over an absurd 300 percent.
Their ability to defend, as well as be a problem offensively, will spark concerns for future teams matching up and they will look to lean on that heading into a testing next month of women’s footy that will define their season.
Grade: B
Vermont (Gold)
Pos: 1st
W-L: 5-1
Percentage: 349%
For (Rank): 64 (3rd)
Against (Rank): 18.3 (1st)
Leading Goalkicker: Evie Allman/Holly Flanagan (5)
Best + Fairest Leader: Romanie Barnes
Flag favourites Vermont stumbled out of the blocks in their opening round one encounter, felled by an equally classy Eastern Devils outfit. Following the loss, troops returned and the Eagles in a revenging manner flexed their muscles upon facing the Devils a month down the track, not to be outdone twice.
Bragging rights were earnt back defeating fellow heavyweights of the competition which saw them rise to ladder leader status.
A position they haven’t looked back on since, not troubled in any way, shape or form.
There’s no shadow of a doubt the reasoning behind why the purple and a gold are a force to be reckoned with is the aforementioned word surrounding depth. Formed by a strong coaching department headed by Brett Munyard, the Eagles are a main stayer of the competition as a result of their experienced individuals mixed in with a crop of youth knocking on the door.
Pencil in a finals birth as the Eagles look to soar into the back end of September led by the likes of the evergreen Romanie Barnes as she continues at her consistent best.
Grade: A