With Round 6 of the Eastern Football Netball League Women’s competition this weekend, now is the best time to read Tash’s Gunawardana’s Weekend Preview.
Premier Division:
Mount Evelyn vs SBL Wolves: SBL Wolves travel to Mount Evelyn Reserve to play Mount Evelyn on Saturday morning. It is the bottom of the table clash and both teams have two wins so far this season and the winner could move to third. SBL Wolves will hope that forward Caitlin Bould has her kicking boots on, as she has only been able to hit the scoreboard way back in round three when she had a six-goal haul against The Basin. Isobel Urquhart leads the goal kicking at Mount Evelyn with seven goals and Mount Evelyn will be hoping that she can be a threat up forward again like last round when she kicked three goals. SBL Wolves’ defence will need to stand strong, because if they do not then this will be an easy win for Mount Evelyn on their home deck.
Tip: Mount Evelyn
Vermont vs Eastern Devils: Vermont Recreation Reserve hosts the top of the table clash between Vermont and Eastern Devils. Vermont will be in search of redemption after their round one smashing of 68 points at the hands of Eastern Devils. You would hope that Vermont took away a lot of learnings away from that match, otherwise this match will be a repeat of round one. In round one, it was the strong scoring of Eastern Devils that Vermont could not stop as Eastern Devils scored 12 goals and had plenty of avenues to goal with eight individual goal scorers. Vermont’s defensive structures will need to be solid this weekend.
Vermont: “Eastern Devils have proved untouchable so far,” Senior Coach Tim Da Silveria said. “It will be a good test for our girls, one that we’re looking forward too.”
Tip: Vermont
South Croydon vs Donvale: South Croydon tackles Donvale at Jubilee Park, in what is the crossover Premier and Premier B match this weekend. Expect a high scoring contest, as Donvale currently sit atop of the Premier B ladder and South Croydon has heaps of scoring weapons in Taylah Black (current Premier goal kicking leader) and Tanikka Martin (currently third on Premier goal kicking table).
Donvale: “We know South Croydon to be a strong team, but we haven’t played them since round two of last year so looking forward to this encounter,” Coach Stephen Latino said. “We’re starting to get some solid performances and the team is really starting to gel.”
Tip: South Croydon
Premier B Women’s:
Ferntree Gully vs The Basin: Ferntree Gully hosts The Basin at Wally Tew Reserve. Ferntree Gully are yet to win a match this season but know it will be hard against The Basin, a side that currently sits third on the ladder with two wins. Also, Ferntree Gully know to get on the winners list for the first time this season they will need everything to go their way offensively and defensively.
The Basin: “Looking to really bounce back this week against Ferntree Gully after a disappointing performance last week,” The Basin Senior Women’s Captain Julia Baker said. “We need to bring a high level of intensity and energy to match a physical Ferntree Gully outfit.”
Tip: The Basin
Whitehorse vs Boronia: Whitehorse and Boronia come up against each other at Springfield Park. Expect a tight tussle between these two teams as Whitehorse is only ahead by one victory and Boronia will seek redemption after losing earlier in the season against Whitehorse, where the final score was Boronia 0-2-2 def by Whitehorse 7.6.48.
Boronia: “We’re looking forward to visiting Whitehorse for our second match up of the season,” Coach Scott Nicholas said. “They are a strong, experienced side with several very talented players. We’ve been focussing on individual growth and polishing our game style. We feel like we didn’t put our best foot forward against them last time, so it’ll be a good test to see how much we’ve grown over the past month!”
Tip: Whitehorse
Division One Women’s:
North Ringwood vs Ringwood: North Ringwood clashes with Ringwood at Quambee Reserve. North Ringwood currently sit third on the Division One ladder, but they have Beaconsfield breathing down their necks. Ringwood have only managed one win all season, so it will tough going for them against North Ringwood. But anything can happen in women’s football, so do not be surprised if an upset occurs.
Tip: North Ringwood
Rowville vs Park Orchards: The ladder leaders Rowville will hope they can go 6-0 in 2022 with a win over Park Orchards at Seebeck Oval on Saturday. They will head into the match as heavy favourites, but they should not take Park Orchards lightly as they are second for a reason and undefeated. If any team is ready to hand Rowville its first defeat of the season,
then its Park Orchards. Do you think Park Orchards will be the first team to defeat Rowville?
Tip: Rowville
Chirnside Park vs Beaconsfield: Chirnside Park plays against Beaconsfield at Kimberley Reserve. Beaconsfield are one win ahead of Chirnside Park and would be slight favourites in this match but due to the game being on Chirnside’s home ground, do not count out Chirnside to secure its second victory of the season.
Tip: Chirnside Park
Blackburn – BYE
Division Two Women’s:
Montrose vs Knox – Played last night
East Ringwood vs Heathmont: East Ringwood and Heathmont clash with each other at East Ringwood Reserve. Only one-win separates both teams on the ladder with East Ringwood ahead and in third place and Heathmont currently fifth (second last). Heathmont will need to ensure they have done their homework to stop duo key forwards Nicola Davidson (current goal kicking leader on nine goals) and Hayley Thompson (second on goal kicking leader board with seven goals). If Heathmont’s defence does not have a plan in place to stop Davidson and Thompson, then it will be a long morning for the visitors and a one-sided game.
Tip: East Ringwood
Kilsyth vs Surrey Park: Kilsyth hosts Surrey Park at Pinks Reserve. Surrey Park has a lot to play for this Saturday, as a win could take them equal first with Knox (if Knox loses) and a win for Surrey Park will also give them breathing space from East Ringwood. If Kilsyth win this weekend do not be surprised as they have shown this season that their best can be matched with the premier teams in Division Two and there is a reason, why they are in the top four. Will Kilsyth record their third win of the season on their home deck against second placed Surrey Park?
Kilsyth: “After a competitive game against Montrose, we’re looking at a more competitive game against Surrey,” Coach Clint Martin said. “Our first clash was below par, and the girls have reflected on what they needed to improve on. Our game plan is evolving each week. The girls are really enjoying the season so far and this is reflected on how well the team has gelled.”
Tip: Surrey Park
Division Three Women’s:
East Burwood vs Mitcham: East Burwood will look to extend its winning streak to five against Mitcham at East Burwood Reserve. Mitcham will need to make sure they have a strong plan in place to stop the impact of forward duo Cecilia Baldassarre (who has kicked 18 goals this season – if she plays) and Sarah Jones (who has kicked 17 goals – if she plays). Baldassarre has averaged six goals per a game across the three games, she has played this season. Two weeks ago, Baldassarre had a day out with six goals. Jones’ average this season is 4.5 goals per a game and she was on fire last round with seven goals. If Mitcham do not bring their A-game defensively then it could be a blow out.
Tip: East Burwood
Fairpark vs Nunawading: Nunawading plays away to Fairpark at Fairpark Reserve. Nunawading sits above Fairpark, but as the match will be played on Fairpark’s home ground they are a huge chance to secure its second win and go equal with Nunawading on the same number of wins.
Tip: Fairpark
Mooroolbark vs Coldstream: Mooroolbark clashes with Coldstream at Heights Reserve. On paper it looks like it will be a complete smashing in favour of Coldstream as Mooroolbark linger in last spot with a miserly percentage of 8.67%. Coldstream most likely will win the match this Saturday but remember stranger things have happened in women’s football so do not count out the might of Mooroolbark to cause a massive upset in front of their home faithful.
Tip: Coldstream
Croydon North MLOC – BYE
Division Four Women’s:
The Basin Green vs Eastern Devils Black: The Basin Green faces Eastern Devils Black on their home deck at Batterham Reserve. Expect a tight clash between two sides that are evenly
on three wins and Eastern Devils Black are third and The Basin Green are fourth respectively on the Division Four ladder.
The Basin Green: “Another big game for us this weekend, unfortunately with some injuries we find ourselves hitting this part of the season with some challenges ahead,” Coach Kirsty McConnell said. “However, this gives us the opportunity to test some of our girls in positions they don’t normally play and allows us to concentrate on keeping our heads in the game, controlling what we can control and executing our structures around the ball, which will help continue to ensure the ongoing growth we have already experienced so far in 2022.”
Tip: Eastern Devils Black
Vermont Gold vs South Croydon Red: Vermont Gold clashes with South Croydon Red at Livingstone Primary School. Expect a great contest of women’s football as this match features the ladder leader in South Croydon Red and second on the ladder Vermont Gold. The winner of this match will go outright first on the ladder, so expect a high-quality clash that will decide which team will reign above the rest of Division Four after round six.
Vermont Gold: “We are looking forward to challenge of playing South Croydon this Saturday, the team will again have to be at their best with a few players back, we are starting to be at full strength,” Coach Brett Munyard said.
Tip: Vermont Gold
Boronia Gold vs SBL Wolves Teal: SBL Wolves Teal travels to Tormore Reserve to kickstart their season against fellow winless side Boronia Gold. Both teams will keen to get their first win on the board, so which team will get the four points come Saturday?
Boronia Gold: “We are ready for this weekend, lots of hard work and a few players back will put us in a strong position to put up a competitive game,” Coach Candyce Wright said. “All the players have been committed to developing and the last weeks while tough have been great to watch the players develop.”
Tip: SBL Wolves Teal