Get up to speed on the all the happenings in the Eastern Football Netball League Women’s competition with Tash Gunawardana’s Weekend Preview!
Premier Division:
Eastern Devils vs Vermont – Eastern Devils will play back-to-back matches at Mulgrave Reserve against Vermont in the Premier Division and Division Four. It is a great showcase of EFNL women’s football.
Eastern Devils: The Eastern Devils will be keen to do well in their first EFNL game of women’s football this weekend. Senior Coach Jason Cridland is excited about the new challenge that his team is about to embark on in the EFNL Premier Division.
Inside Word: “We are super excited to get the season started and face the challenges of facing new opposition,” Senior Coach Cridland said. “And look forward to competing against Vermont in round one.”
Vermont: Vermont are playing against newcomers Eastern Devils. Vermont were one of the premier teams of the division last season and expect them to be up there again.
Inside Word: “Looking forward to playing the Eastern Devils. They’ve got a long proud history in Women’s footy,” Senior Coach Tim Da Silveria said. “We’ve worked hard over the off season, and the girls are jumping out of their skins. We’ve got a young team, so we’re really excited about testing ourselves against such a well respected club.”
Tip: Vermont
South Croydon vs Ferntree Gully: South Croydon comes up against Ferntree Gully at Wally Tew Reserve. It will be a game of unknowns for South Croydon with Ferntree Gully the first club to take on the crossover game.
South Croydon: South Croydon are playing a side they do not know much about the team they are playing in round one, but they are ready.
South Croydon Inside Word: “It’s a bit of an unusual start to the year with a crossover game against Ferntree Gully who we’ve not seen before, so we don’t know what to expect from them as far as game style and players to watch,” Senior Coach Simon Hammersley said. “Our players are just excited to be back on the park with some fresh faces in the group.”
Ferntree Gully Inside Word: “We’re really excited for the challenge of facing a quality experienced women’s footy side like South Croydon,” Coach Tim Cavanagh said. “It’s certainly a big test to start the season but we see the crossover games a free hit so to speak: nothing to lose, plenty to gain.”
Tip: South Croydon
SBL Wolves vs Mount Evelyn: SBL Wolves are clashing with Mount Evelyn to kick off its season and they will look to prove themselves in the Premier Division. Mount Evelyn are new to the EFNL competition after moving (temporarily) from the Outer East so this season opener will be the first time we see what they are capable of in our Premier Division.
Tip: SBL Wolves
Premier B Division: The Basin v Boronia
Boronia: Boronia opens its Premier B Women’s season against one of the toughest women’s sides in the EFNL in The Basin at the Batterham Reserve. Expect this match to be a great spectacle of women’s football between two sides that are touted to be there at the pointy end of the season.
Inside Word: “We’re not putting any limits on what we can achieve this season in a new division,” Senior Coach Scott Nicholas said. “We’re excited by the growth in some of our players and deeper understanding of the game as a squad. We are excited to get out there and take the game on against The Basin who have been one of the strongest EFNL sides in the last three or four years. We’re also excited to get out there and play our first double header with Prem B and Division Four playing back to back!”
The Basin: The Basin has been one of the best women’s team in the EFNL over the last few years with their high scoring and their strong ability to hit the scoreboard. In round one, The Basin would be heavy favourites but they should not take a Boronia side coached by Nicholas lightly otherwise they will be rolled over.
Inside Word: “After 23 weeks of pre-season training and the addition of a reserves team we are pumped for round one at the bear cave this weekend!” Julia Baker said. “The addition of a second side has meant double the personnel required, a huge feat so we are thrilled with not only our recruitment of 25 new girls but also the appointment of our new reserves coach Kirsty McConnell. Chasing a finals berth this year will be our goal in the Prem B competition and we look forward to an exciting season ahead off the back of a huge effort from all 51 of the girls on our list over preseason.
Tip: The Basin
Whitehorse vs Donvale:
Whitehorse takes on Donvale in the opening round at Springfield Park. Whitehorse will be coached by new Dom Tallariti. Expect a close encounter, but this match will sway in the favour of the home side Whitehorse.
Donvale: “We’ve had a solid preseason and a lot of growth from the team,” Donvale coach Stephen Latino continued. “The group is excited to get back into playing and we’re looking forward to starting out 2022 campaign this weekend.
Tip: Whitehorse
Women’s Division One:
Beaconsfield vs Park Orchards: Park Orchards will play their first game of the season away against Beaconsfield at Holm Park Reserve. Park Orchards will be a side looking to kick their season off on the right track after finishing sixth on the ladder last season. There is a lot of unknown surrounding new side Beaconsfield on what to expect from them in the EFNL as they are new to the league.
Beaconsfield Inside Word: “Our team are super keen for a new season and a new competition,” Beaconsfield Coach Troy Robinson said. “We are excited to get round one underway vs Park Orchards and see through a full season.”
Tip: Beaconsfield
Blackburn vs Chirnside Park: Blackburn host Chirnside Park at Morton Park. It will probably be the match of the round between two sides that have strong lists.
Chirnside Park Inside Word: “We are looking to be as strong on and off the field as we can bring on Saturday, the girls and coaching staff are looking forward to a great game,” Chirnside Park Coach Dave Stewart said.
Blackburn Inside Word: “With a solid five-month pre-season behind us, we are really looking forward to footy being back officially this weekend,” Blackburn Coach Jules Hay continued. We’ve had a significant change in personnel, as with many women’s teams post covid, so it is an exciting opportunity for our new players, many of whom have come from our junior feeder program.”
“Something we’ve worked on over the summer is bringing all our women’s programs together. Our U18’s, Seniors and Masters have collaborated to provide a learning environment that is unique in a footy club. It has been a privilege to lead this change in culture at the club, seeing our teams more connected and the smiles on the faces of players enjoying their footy.”
“Our seniors and masters showed some really promising signs of development in their pre-season practice matches. Our ball movement across the field has come a long way particularly in the masters program. Our seniors are a new team moving into Division One, and is full of young talent and passion. Our whole squad is absolutely pumped and ready to begin the season. We look forward to trying out some new structures and player positions and hope the 2022 season will be our first full season uninterrupted post covid.”
Tip: Blackburn
North Ringwood vs Rowville:
Rowville travels to Quambee Reserve to play against North Ringwood in round one, a side that they lost to in their practice match, so they’ll look to get redemption. This round one matchup should not fase Rowville though as they have a solid list of female players, so expect this to be a close encounter.
North Ringwood Inside Word: “After two years of Covid we are really looking forward to our first game this week,” North Ringwood Coach Jules Hanson continued. “We welcome some new players to the team. Training attendance and standard has been very good. I am keen to see how we can gel and perform as a team.”
Rowville Inside Word: “We are looking forward to playing a team that had the better of us in practoce match however our line-up will certainly be different,” Rowville Coach Leann Gill said. “It’s fair to say it’s been a long build-up for all teams.”
Tip: North Ringwood
Women’s Division Two:
Heathmont vs East Ringwood: Heathmont hosts East Ringwood at HE Parker Reserve. East Ringwood are inexperienced, but they are hoping that the experience they have recruited into their side will be a blessing in disguise for their young team. Heathmont will likely take the win in round one, but young sides do have a habit of causing upsets so don’t be surprised if East Ringwood cause a boil over.
East Ringwood Inside Word: “East Ringwood will be fielding a new-look team in 2022. We’ve got a great blend of Roos from last year, incoming experience, and some developing youth as well,” East Ringwood Coach Adrian Fittolani said. “We can’t wait to see how we shape up. It’s been a great pre-season for us, and I think our squad has really bonded well.”
Tip: Heathmont
Montrose vs Knox: Montrose tackles Knox in the opening round at their home ground Montrose Recreation Reserve.
Montrose Inside Word: The Montrose women have a been excitedly anticipating the start of the season and it’s finally here,” Montrose Coach Shilette Baker continued. “We’ve been working hard with the players on their skills and how to work collectively together.
“They are progressing very well and having had two practice matches – Olinda from the Outer East, and Nth Ringwood from Division One – they have shown some very promising signs of what they can achieve together and how we want to play this season. It will be exciting to play a team our women played last season which had our measure. We are looking forward to putting our hard preseason work together and see where our team is at against a familiar opponent in round one – Knox. Bring on 2022!”
Knox Inside Word: “The big change from last year is our numbers. As you know, we struggled for players last year (despite ending up 3rd on the ladder) but this year we have strong numbers, mainly due to an influx of under 18 girls from our Junior Club,” Knox Coach Peter Jordan said. “It’s been great to have a couple of practice matches this pre-season, where we had the opportunity to have a good look at the girls in different positions. Our Leaders for 2022 are Nikki Whitten, Alana Aiello, Sarah Plumridge and Carly Miller and I’m looking forward to how all the girls jell together in round one.”
Tip: Montrose
Surrey Park vs Kilsyth: Surrey Park hosts Kilsyth at Surrey Park Reserve. The only thing that is in Surrey Parks favour is that they are playing at their home ground, because Kilsyth are strong team so they will need everything to go their way on Saturday if they are to come away with a round one victory.
Kilsyth Inside Word: “We head down to face Surrey Park for our first game. Our line-up is quite different to last year so we are looking forward to see how we can make an impact. We have been working quite hard on our game sense over preseason which we’ll need to draw upon as we know Surrey are always hard to beat at home. Looking forward to see how the girls come together for our first challenge.”
Tip: Kilsyth
Women’s Third Division:
East Burwood vs Coldstream: Coldstream plays its first-round match away against East Burwood at East Burwood Reserve. It will be a tough match for Coldstream if their form from last season is anything go by, but as they have a few new players they are hoping these players will help improve its chances in 2022. East Burwood will be coached by Ali Rock and Coldstream coached by Ben Gardner.
Coldstream Inside Word: “We’re really excited to see what the team can bring this week, we’ve recruited a few new players who bring a wealth of experience to our team,” Coldstream Coach Ben Gardner said.
Tip: East Burwood
Mitcham vs Mooroolbark: Mitcham hosts Mooroolbark at Walker Park on Saturday morning. Expect this match to be a tight season opener.
Mooroolbark Inside Word: “Fair to say I’m extremely excited for the girls who are embarking on a new journey and playing a sport that is totally foreign to a number of them,” Mooroolbark Coach Domenic Ciancio said. “Well done to Mooroolbark Footy Club and the EFNL on making it possible. What I’m most excited about is watching the girls achieve their individuals and team goals. Go Mustangs!!!
Tip: Mooroolbark
Fairpark vs Croydon North MLOC: Fairpark and Croydon North face off in round one at Fairpark Reserve.
Croydon North Inside Word: We played Fair Park twice last season, both times a FP were very competitive for the whole game,” Croydon North Coach John Hayhurst continued. “We came out winners on both occasions by four or five goals. Six weeks ago, we had 11 registered women players. With lots of hard work by our coaching staff and our players we now have 21 players. Saturday begins a new season our players are excited for the game. We have eighy first gamers for our team this Saturday. They are all nervous and excited to play their first game for us. Our team theme for Saturday is, “Support each other” Physically / Verbally, and most of all enjoy each other’s company, along with the competition that FP will give us.”
Bye: Nunawading
Division Four Women’s:
The Basin Green vs Boronia Gold: The Basin plays at home against Boronia Gold at Batterham Reserve. Boronia Gold’s Division Four team are playing after the Premier B side so it is a great opportunity for Boronia fans to watch two of their women’s teams in action back to back.
Boronia Gold inside word: Seeing our squad grow from strength to strength we are excited to finally be back playing footy and continue where we left off in 2021,” Division Four Coach Candyce Wright said.
Tip: Boronia Gold
SBL Wolves Teal vs South Croydon Red: South Croydon Red will travel to Belgrave South Recreation Reserve to play against SBL Wolves Teal.
South Croydon Red Inside Word: “After our intended practice matches were a bit interrupted through the preseason, we’re looking forward to getting the full team together for the first time in Round one,” coach Declan Burke said. “SBL have an amazing junior program, so we think their development side will be one of the stronger teams in the division, and hopefully a great game.”
Tip: South Croydon Red
Eastern Devils Black vs Vermont Gold: Eastern Devils Black are hosting Vermont Gold at Mulgrave Reserve. Expect this contest to be close with Eastern Devils new to the EFNL and Vermont Gold filled with first year players, expect the unexpected.
Vermont Gold Inside Word: “Our Division Four team are made up of mostly first year players,” Senior Coach Tim Da Silveria continued. “They have come along in leaps and bounds over the preseason, and we’re excited to have a look at them in their first game. Our goal is to keep improving each week and hopefully have them push up into the Premier team throughout the season.”
Tip: Eastern Devils
