Round 13 EFNL Women’s Preview:
We are down to the second last round of the Eastern Football Netball League Women’s Competition and with women’s finals on the horizon, there’s a lot to look forward to in women’s footy. To be up to date with what’s happening, read Tash Gunawardana’s weekend preview.
Premier Division:
South Croydon vs Eastern Devils: South Croydon hosts the Eastern Devils at Cheong Park. The Eastern Devils have shown all season that they are the premier team in the Premier Women’s Division only dropping one game. South Croydon are third on the ladder and will know that they will need to bring their very best if they are any chance of toppling the Eastern Devils in front of their home faithful. Eastern Devils have plenty of weapons up forward especially goal kicking leader Shelley Beggs. Beggs averages four goals per a game this season and has been a stalwart all season and South Croydon’s defence will need to try and halt her impact on the game otherwise it might be a one-sided contest.
Tip: Eastern Devils
Mount Evelyn vs Vermont: It is the second and fourth placed matchup between Mount Evelyn and Vermont at Mount Evelyn Reserve. Vermont is vying for its eighth win of the season, but it will be challenge against a formidable opponent in Mount Evelyn. Expect a high quality and close contest as only a win separates both teams on the ladder. If Vermont secures their eighth win, then they could move to equal second with Mount Evelyn all dependent upon the other results. It shapes up to be an exciting spectacle of women’s footy.
Vermont – “Mount Evelyn are the form team at the moment,” Vermont Coach Tim Da Silveria said. “This will be a really good test for our girls coming into finals.”
Tip: Mount Evelyn
Premier B:
Donvale vs Whitehorse: Donvale and Whitehorse take on each other in the top of the table Premier B women’s clash at the Donvale Reserve. The match will be played with a finals type intensity from the onset, and we cannot wait to watch the best of women’s footy on showcase.
Donvale – “It’s our last home game for the season against a quality opposition in Whitehorse,” Donvale Coach Stephen Latino said. “After a slow start against a strong and physical Ferntree Gully last week our main focus has been on bringing the pressure early. A few players coming back to bolster our side this week will help drive the team to what is a crucial game before finals.”
Tip: Donvale
Boronia vs The Basin: Boronia clashes with The Basin at Tormore Reserve. The Basin have more to play for, so expect them to come out all guns blazing, as a victory on Saturday will allow them to move to equal second with Whitehorse depending on how other results playout over the weekend.
The Basin – “You never know what to expect when you’re playing Boronia,” The Basin Captain Julia Baker said. “They’ve developed out of sight the past few years and have some really quick runners through their midfield. We’ll be looking to match up with them for speed and play our style of game on the big wings of Tormore Reserve.”
Tip: The Basin
Ferntree Gully vs SBL Wolves: Ferntree Gully faces SBL Wolves at Wally Tew Reserve in what is the Premier and Premier B crossover match. It has been a season Ferntree Gully would like to forget as they are yet to win a match, but who knows on their home deck this Saturday that if they play some decent footy as SBL Wolves are a bit down in form that they might be able to get on the board for the first time in 2022. Can Ferntree Gully do the unthinkable and win?
Tip: Ferntree Gully
Division One:
Beaconsfield vs Chirnside Park: Beaconsfield plays against Chirnside Park at Holm Park Reserve. Both teams share the same amount of wins, so we should expect a tight encounter between two even sides vying to secure their fourth win and move to outright fourth on the Division One ladder.
Tip: Beaconsfield
Park Orchards vs Rowville: The unbeaten Rowville travels to Domeney Reserve to play the second placed Park Orchards. Rowville will head into the match as favourites, but do not be surprised if Park Orchards come out with immense confidence and flair as the match is on their home deck. Could this be the preview of the Division One women’s grand final?
Tip: Rowville
Ringwood vs North Ringwood: It’s a local derby at Jubilee Park between Ringwood and North Ringwood. North Ringwood are currently third on the ladder with six wins and Ringwood are second last (equal fourth) with three wins. Expect Ringwood to come out with some grunt, as a win on Saturday could help them to climb to fourth depending on the outcome of the Beaconsfield vs Chirnside Park match. Ringwood has a lot more to play for, but do not count out North Ringwood as playing with pride does mean a lot.
North Ringwood – “We need to continue our momentum leading to the finals,” North Ringwood Coach Jules Hanson said. “Every game is tough, and we intend to treat it accordingly. We will continue to fine tune some new layers into our game.”
Tip: Ringwood
Blackburn – BYE
Division Two:
Knox vs East Ringwood: East Ringwood has a tough task ahead of themselves on Saturday, they will need to try and take down the might of the Division Two ladder leaders Knox at Knox Gardens Reserve. East Ringwood are the form side of the competition however and rolled the Falcons last time the two sides met.
Knox – “Very big game for us vs East Ringwood this week and we’ll be going in as underdogs as they beat us a few weeks ago,” Knox Coach PJ said. “Looking forward to the clash at our home ground and it will no doubt be a close encounter.”
Tip: Knox
Montrose vs Kilsyth: Montrose plays Kilsyth at Montrose Recreation Reserve. Montrose have shown signs of improvement towards the end of this season but have been unable to get more reward for effort than just one victory. Third spot is up for grabs for Kilsyth if they are victorious and with finals near Kilsyth will be eyeing this off.
Montrose – “East Ringwood was another tough day out, but we were really happy with the improvement of our kicking, which really has been a struggle for us,” Montrose Coach Shilette Baker said. “There were also some patches of really good ball movement too. Unfortunately, we lost two players early, but the women played it out with a strong last quarter.
“It’s our last home game – we play Kilsyth and we’d like to put up more of a fight than our last game against them. We feel like we’ve learnt a lot over the last two weeks against the top sides and hope to put some of those defensive skills into practice.”
Kilsyth – “We had a really competitive game against a fast-finishing Surrey last week,” Kilsyth Coach Clint Martin said. “The girls showed great resilience to get the win. This week we’re on the road to our neighbours Montrose. They will be looking to bounce back and always are hard to beat on their turf. The girls are looking forward to the task at hand.”
Tip: Montrose
Surrey Park vs Heathmont: Surrey Park battles it out against Heathmont at the Surrey Park Reserve. Heathmont has only managed two wins this season and Surrey Park has six. On Saturday, Heathmont will need to play their very best football to stand any chance of getting over Surrey Park on their home ground.
Tip: Surrey Park
Division Three Women’s:
East Burwood vs Fairpark: East Burwood takes on Fairpark at East Burwood Reserve. Fairpark’s defensive structure will need to stand strong as East Burwood have major attacking weapons most notably Sarah Jones. Jones (30 goals) has been frequently kicking multiple goals this season.
Tip: East Burwood
Croydon North MLOC vs Nunawading: Nunawading tackles top of the table Croydon North MLOC at Koonung Reserve. It will be a tough task for Nunawading, but if they give it their all who knows they might be able to cause a boil over and hand Croydon North MLOC their second defeat of the season. For Nunawading to win, they will need to ensure that everything goes their way offensively and defensively because Croydon North MLOC have shown this season that they are no easy beat.
Tip: Croydon North MLOC.
Mitcham vs Coldstream: Mitcham and Coldstream battle it out at Walker Park on Saturday morning in what should be a finals like contest between the third and fourth placed sides.
Tip: Mitcham
Mooroolbark – BYE
Division Four:
SBL Wolves Teal vs Boronia Gold: Boronia Gold plays away against SBL Wolves at Belgrave South Recreation Reserve. Boronia Gold will be in search of win number one and SBL Wolves Teal will try to secure its fifth win of the season.
Tip: SBL Wolves
South Croydon Red vs The Basin Green: South Croydon Red host The Basin Green at Cheong Park. Expect a top-notch clash as it’s the third and fourth placed Division Four women’s teams. Both teams will be there come finals time so expect the match to high intensity.
The Basin Green – “The first of two remaining home and away season games against South Croydon this week, after not facing them since Round 2,” The Basin Green Coach Kirsty McConnell said. “We know as a group we have improved significantly since our last meeting, so we look forward to showcasing our development and growth as we try to cement a spot in the top four.”
Tip: South Croydon Red
Vermont Gold vs Eastern Devils Black: Second placed Vermont Gold faces the ladder leaders Eastern Devils Black at Vermont Recreation Reserve in what is the Division Four match of the round. Expect a mouth-watering clash that should go down to the wire. Both teams have weapons on either ends of the ground, so expect a great display of women’s footy.
Vermont Gold – “This weekend’s game will be a good test, leading into the finals,” Vermont Gold Coach Brett Munyard said.
Tip: Vermont Gold