By Josh Ward
Coldstream
Position: 3rd
W-L: 3-3
Percentage: 97%
For (Rank): 32.3 (4th)
Against (Rank): 33.2 (3rd)
Leading Goalkicker: Casey Bartlett (4)
Best + Fairest Leader: Holly Duke
After a promising first season which saw them win twice, the Cougar women had hopes they could improve on that season.
Whilst they have shown some signs of improvement, this season has been a rather inconsistent one for Coldstream who currently sit third due to a stronger percentage than the teams behind them.
Casey Bartlett has come across from Croydon North MLOC and has made an immediate impact up forward. Holly Duke and Baylee Eastham have led the way once more whilst Tayla Street has shown plenty of promise after limited game time in 2021.
Despite sitting third the Cougars will still need to have a bit more improvement if they are to not just make finals but be a potential contender
Croydon North MLOC:
Position: 2nd
W-L: 5-1
Percentage: 555%
For (Rank): 79.5 (2nd)
Against (Rank): 14.3 (1st)
Leading Goalkicker: Gabrielle Zappia (25)
Best + Fairest Leader: Gabrielle Zappia
In their three years the KangaRams women’s side have been slowly building. Heading into this season they were as bullish on their chances as the men’s side were.
And so far, they’ve proven why they’re the second-best side, scoring as freely as East Burwood as well as shutting out teams, sitting with only one loss to the Rams earlier in the season.
Despite the loss of their best player from last year in Hailee Stokes to The Basin, Gabrielle Zappia and April Jeeves have been able to fill the void she left up forward, combining for 44 goals this season. Natalie Laurie has also been a consistent performer for the KangaRams.
It’ll be a massive test if they are to take it to the Rams, but Croydon North MLOC will still look to prove why they’re one of the better sides in the second half of 2022.
East Burwood:
Position: 1st
W-L: 6-0
Percentage:
For (Rank): 85.2 (1st)
Against (Rank): 15.7 (2nd)
Leading Goalkicker: Sarah Jones (21)
Best + Fairest Leader: Sarah Jones
Nine out of 10 teams would usually struggle in their first season. However, that hasn’t been the case for the Rams.
Currently sitting on top and unbeaten, they’ve been scoring freely each week whilst also shutting out attacks, with their lowest score of the season being 40 and the most points they conceded of 22 coming against second-place Croydon North in week two.
Ex-Chirnside Park forward Sarah Jones has led the way up forward with 21 goals whilst ex-Marcellin forward Cecilia Baldassare in her three games so far has kicked 18 goals, forming an unstoppable duo with Jones in the first three rounds, although it’s rumoured Baldassare has returned to the VAFA.
The only way is up for the rampaging Rams, and they’ll be looking to continue to build on this red-hot start to 2022.
Fairpark:
Position: 6th
W-L: 1-5
Percentage: 44%
For (Rank): 20.3 (6th)
Against (Rank): 46.2 (5th)
Leading Goalkicker: Nicole Crivellaro and Sarah Birthisel (5)
Best + Fairest Leader: Larissa Thomas
Following a similar first season to the Coldstream women which saw plenty of promise, particularly at the start of the year, more improvement was expected at Fairpark Reserve.
This season though has been as much of a struggle as last year, with their only win coming against winless Mooroolbark in week two.
Larissa Thomas has come into the side and has made an instant impact whilst Maxie Stokes and Kahlia Sommers have built on promising first seasons. Despite having only six goalkickers this year Nicole Crivellaro and Sarah Birthisel have led the way up forward.
Despite this poor start, the Lions of Fairpark will still want to improve in the back half of this year and push for a finals spot.
Mitcham:
Position: 4th
W-L: 3-3
Percentage: 89%
For (Rank): 33.8 (3rd)
Against (Rank): 37.8 (4th)
Leading Goalkicker: Enola Zammit (8)
Best + Fairest Leader: Catherine Roscioli
Another new side that was looking to build as the season went on, the Tigers have shown plenty of promise in their first six games.
Sitting 3-3 and in the top four, despite a slightly shaky start, they’ve continued to improve each week and have started to hit some form in the last three matches.
Enola Zammit has impressed up forward and has been well supported by Kelsey Semmens whilst they’ve been led well by Catherine Roscioli, Riley Holloway & Chloe Stokes.
Like the Rams the only way is up for Mitcham, and they’ll look to develop even more as they push for finals.
Mooroolbark:
Position: 7th
W-L: 0-6
Percentage: 8%
For (Rank): 6.2 (7th)
Against (Rank): 76.7 (7th)
Leading Goalkicker: Holly Wells (4)
Best + Fairest Leader: Caitlin Segrave
Not a whole lot was also expected of Mooroolbark due to them being an unknown quantity.
And so far, they’ve been the newest side that have had the most struggles, getting beaten week in and week out.
Holly Wells has led the way up forward despite their consistent low scores whilst Caitlin Segrave and Tamara Beck have consistently performed recently.
It’ll be all about development for the rest of the season, but the Mustangs will have hope they can potentially pick up a scalp or two in the second half having shown signs of some improvement recently.
Nunawading:
Position: 5th
W-L: 3-3
Percentage: 43%
For (Rank): 26.2 (5th)
Against (Rank): 60.7 (6th)
Leading Goalkicker: Elise Dowler, Lauren Demarte & Taylah Sutherland (4)
Best + Fairest Leader: Miranda Marshall
Coming into the season like most first-year sides the Lions were in a similar position to most new clubs as an unknown quantity with not a lot of expectations.
However, it’s been an impressive start for the women’s side at Koonung Reserve who only sit one spot out of finals because of their percentage due to losing to the top three by an average of 93 points.
They’ve had multiple different options up forward in Elise Dowler, Lauren Demarte and Taylah Sutherland and have been well led by Miranda Marshall and Demarte.
Finals are on the cards for the Lions who’ll also look to develop even more in their push for a spot in the top four.