Round 8 Women’s Preview:
After a league bye last week, this weekend kicks off round eight of the Deakin Uni Eastern Football Netball League Women’s Competition and to know what’s happening in women’s footy why not read Tash Gunawardana’s Weekend Preview.
Premier Division:
SBL Wolves vs Whitehorse Pioneers: SBL Wolves host Whitehorse Pioneers at Belgrave South Recreation Reserve in the crossover Premier and Premier B Women’s match. The Wolves are last placed with two wins on the Premier ladder and Whitehorse are second placed with four wins on the Premier B ladder. Based on form and what both teams have shown so far this season, Whitehorse should get the four points come Saturday but do not count out the Wolves.
Tip: Whitehorse
Vermont vs Mount Evelyn: Vermont tackles Mount Evelyn at Vermont Recreation Reserve. Vermont will head into the match as favourites as they are currently second on the Premier Division ladder with five wins and Mount Evelyn are fourth with three wins.
Vermont: “Girls are refreshed after the mini break and we’re looking forward to a good hit out against an underrated Mt Evelyn side,” Vermont Coach Tim Da Silveria said.
Tip: Vermont
Eastern Devils vs South Croydon: South Croydon travels to Eastern Devils to play at Mulgrave Reserve. South Croydon’s Taylah Black currently is second on the goal kicking table with 17 goals and Eastern Devils’ Shelley Beggs is fifth with 14 goals. Expect this match to be high scoring, as both teams have forwards who can kick goals. Eastern Devils will probably just get the victory as its on their home ground.
South Croydon: “It’s a great challenge for us this week against the competition benchmark Eastern Devils on their home deck,” Coach Simon Hammersley said. “If we can be good structurally and limit their opportunities forward it will go a long way to making the game a good contest. That’s obviously easier said than done on their current form, so looking forward to seeing how we can hold up under the pressure they bring.”
Tip: Eastern Devils
Premier B Women’s:
Donvale vs The Basin: Donvale and The Basin face off at Donvale Reserve. Expect a high-quality contest as both teams are equal on wins, but The Basin are ladder leaders with a higher percentage of 127.72 and Donvale has a percentage of 113.48. A lot is on the line in this match, because if Donvale win, they can move to first on the Premier B ladder and if The Basin win, they could go outright top on the Premier B ladder.
The Basin: “Fresh after the bye and with a few midfielders returning from injury there will be no excuses for a slow start tomorrow against Donvale,” Captain Julia Baker said.
Tip: The Basin
Boronia vs Ferntree Gully: Boronia clashes with Ferntree Gully at Tormore Reserve. It is the bottom of the table clash with Boronia second last with two wins and Ferntree Gully are last and still winless in 2022. Ferntree Gully will be eyeing of their first win, and this is probably the best chance Ferntree Gully have all season as they have had a week off and the players should be well rested to try and get their first four points on the board this season.
Tip: Ferntree Gully
Division One Women’s:
Park Orchards vs Beaconsfield: Park Orchards and Beaconsfield play against each other at Domeney Reserve. Park Orchards has a lot to play for on Saturday, because if they win, they could move to atop of the Division One ladder if other results go their way. Beaconsfield will be hoping they can go one game clear from the fifth placed Ringwood with a victory, especially because Ringwood has the bye this weekend.
Tip: Park Orchards
Rowville vs North Ringwood: Undefeated Rowville battles third placed North Ringwood at Seebeck Oval. On paper Rowville are heavy favourites as they have not put a foot wrong all season and, with their three pivotal forward weapons including Danielle Brotto (13 goals), Caitlin Bell (10 goals) and Jade Wise (10 goals). North Ringwood will need to bring their absolute best if they are any chance of handing Rowville its first defeat of the season.
Rowville: “My feeling is now every team has seen the others, the 2nd round for all will be tougher,” Coach Leann Gill continued. “We rate North Ringwood highly and expect a really tough game. They have some match winners. We want to continue to develop as a team and have been working on some aspects of our game to keep moving forward. Hopefully we can implement them on Saturday against a good North Ringwood side.”
North Ringwood: “All the girls are looking forward to testing ourselves against the competition leader Rowville,” Coach Jules Hanson said. “We have a healthy list, and we feel we have improved throughout the season. I expect to see a good battle at Seebeck Oval.”
Tip: Rowville
Chirnside Park vs Blackburn: Blackburn takes on Chirnside Park in the bottom of the table contest at Kimberley Reserve. Chirnside Park and Blackburn would have hoped for better seasons so far as Chirnside Park only has one win and Blackburn are yet to win a game.
Tip: Chirnside Park
Ringwood – BYE
Division Two Women’s:
East Ringwood vs Montrose: East Ringwood hosts Montrose at East Ringwood Reserve. Expect this clash to be a one-sided affair as East Ringwood are currently second placed with four wins and Montrose are second last with only one victory. East Ringwood have shown all season that they can score when needed as they have two forwards including Nicola Davidson (12 goals) and Hayley Thompson (11 goals). East Ringwood will be tough to overcome, but if Montrose have immense belief, they might be able to cause a boil over.
Montrose: “We’re finally on the board! A real four quarter effort and everyone stepped up,” Coach Shilette Baker said. “Especially our beginners – they’re really getting it and contributing more than ever.”
“This weekend we have East Ringwood. With our surprise draw to the competition in round 2, I’m sure East Ringwood will be up and about – especially with their good form recently.”
Tip: East Ringwood
Heathmont vs Kilsyth: Heathmont and Kilsyth tackle each other at HE Parker Reserve. Heathmont will be looking to get off the bottom of the ladder with a win over the fourth placed Kilsyth, it will be tough going but one factor that should work in Heathmont’s favour is the home ground advantage.
Kilsyth: “We had quite a competitive game against Knox although the score line didn’t give the girls much credit,” Coach Clint Martin said. “We’re ready for Heathmont on their own patch this week. We know they are looking for their first win so it will be a test for us. We’ve got a full side this week so I’m expecting the girls to step up. The girls enjoy playing Heathmont so it should be a good game.”
Tip: Kilsyth
Surrey Park vs Knox: Surrey Park comes up against the might of the undefeated Knox at Surrey Park Reserve. Knox currently has four forwards in the top 20 Division Two goal kicking table including Jorja Alexander, Ashleigh Hall, Terri McIntosh and Soraya MacLean.
It will take Surrey Park’s best to topple the might of Knox, but do they have what it takes to be the first team to defeat Knox?
Knox: “I was really impressed with our last game v Kilsyth where we had a lot of height missing from our team and came away with a strong win,” Peter Jordan said.
“Surrey at Surrey Park this week will be another big challenge as there wasn’t much between the teams last time at Knox Gardens. I’ll be looking at our Leaders to continue their great work as well as Jorja Alexander (who kicked five last game), Zali Wagner and Ella Ritchie to continue their excellent form.”
Tip: Knox
Division Three Women’s:
Coldstream vs East Burwood: Coldstream faces East Burwood at Coldstream Reserve. East Burwood are yet to drop a game all season, so Coldstream will need to bring their A-game if they are any chance of winning. East Burwood have showed all season that they are premier team in Division Three, so for Coldstream to win they will need to stand strong and tall defensively and offensively.
Tip: East Burwood
Croydon North MLOC vs Fairpark: The second placed Croydon North MLOC hosts Fairpark at Hughes Park. Croydon North MLOC will head into the match as huge favourites especially on their home ground, so Fairpark will need to bring their A-game, otherwise it will be a long hard day at the office and possibly a heavy loss.
Tip: Croydon North MLOC
Mooroolbark vs Mitcham: The last placed Mooroolbark tackles Mitcham at Heights Reserve. Mooroolbark could cause an upset if they stop Mitcham’s scoring especially if they put a halt to Mitcham forward Enola Zammit scoring as she currently sits fifth on the goal kicking ladder.
Nunawading – BYE
Division Four Women’s:
Boronia Gold vs SBL Wolves: Tormore Reserve plays host to the Division Four bottom of the table clash between Boronia Gold and SBL Wolves. Boronia Gold will be hoping they can notch up their first win of the season on their home deck and this is probably their best chance to do so as SBL Wolves has only one win this season and currently are fifth on the ladder.
Boronia Gold: “Our squad is thrilled to be able to hit the track again after a much-needed break, we are recharged and ready to take on the game this weekend at Tormore against SBL,” Coach Candyce Wright said.
Tip: Boronia Gold
Vermont Gold vs The Basin Green: Vermont Gold and The Basin Green battle it out at Livingstone Primary School. Vermont Gold would be favourites but just slight favourites as they are first on the Division Four ladder and The Basin Green are fourth but equal second with the same number of wins as Eastern Devils Black and South Croydon Red with four wins. Expect a contest that will go down to the wire between two teams that will most likely feature in the finals at seasons end because they both have what it takes. Also, The Basin Green will be keen to win as they know if they win, they will go equal first with Vermont Gold and if they lose, they cxould be a win behind the second and third placed teams in Eastern Devils Black and South Croydon Red dependant on other results.
Vermont Gold: “The next seven games we are expecting improvement from the Development team, the training intensity and skills have lifted, and we are looking forward to the challenge of playing The Basin,” Coach Brett Munyard said.
Tip: Vermont Gold
Eastern Devils Black vs South Croydon Red: South Croydon Red travels to Mulgrave Reserve to clash with Eastern Devils Black. It looks like it will be a mouth-watering contest between the second and third placed teams in Division Four and a great spectacle of women’s footy between two teams that can score heavily due to the scoring weapons they have up forward.
Tip: Eastern Devils Black