By Christopher Kourtis.
We are already halfway through the 2024 Division One Senior Women’s season and there is still plenty to play for. Have a look at where each team finds themselves at the end of Round 7.
Beaconsfield:
Ladder position: 6th (0-7)
Percentage: 26.57%
Points for (rank): 106 (6th)
Points against (rank): 399 (6th)
Leading goal kicker: Jessica Matin, Katie Angelis (3 goals)
Most times in best: Maddison Blackburn (6 times)
After avoiding relegation in 2023, Beaconsfield find themselves winless in the 2024 season.
Beaconsfield’s biggest loss came at the hands of East Ringwood, where they were held scoreless for the entirety of the Round 3 fixture. The final deficit stood at 73 points.
The attacking struggles have continued at Beaconsfield, as they have failed to kick goals in their last two matches, against Knox (0.8-8) and East Ringwood (0.1-1) respectively.
Beaconsfield continue the search for their first win, travelling away to Donvale in their next match.
Final prediction: 6th
Donvale:
Ladder position: 1st (5-1-1)
Percentage: 130.30%
Points for (rank): 258 (3rd)
Points against (rank): 198 (2nd)
Leading goal kicker: Monica Latino, Jasmine D’Amato (9 goals)
Most times in best: Amelia Van Oosterwijck, Jess Crundall (6 times)
Following their relegation from Premier Division in 2023, Donvale have wasted no time in staking their claim for promotion in the 2024 Division One season.
In Round 1, Donvale took a 78 point loss at the hands of North Ringwood. That would stand as their only loss of the season so far, as Donvale have gone on a four game winning streak where three of their opponents were held to 8 points or less (Park Orchards [1.1-7], Knox [1.2-8], Beaconsfield [1.2-8]).
In Round 6, Donvale played out a draw with North Ringwood, as both sides were stuck on a score of 3.6-24.
Undefeated in their last seven, they will look to extend that streak in their next match, where they will host Beaconsfield.
Final prediction: 2nd
East Ringwood:
Ladder position: 3rd (4-2-1)
Percentage: 170.59%
Points for (rank): 319 (3rd)
Points against (rank): 187 (1st)
Leading goal kicker: Katia Giannetti (9 goals)
Most times in best: Nicola Davidson (7 times)
East Ringwood earned promotion off the back of an undefeated 2023 season and have continued their success in 2024.
East Ringwood boasts the league’s best defence, holding Beaconsfield scoreless in Round 3, and later holding them to just one behind in Round 7. The defensive prowess of the team has also taken them to a draw against Donvale and just a two point loss to Park Orchards. At any rate, the defensive unit of this team acts as the strong foundation for a team that can earn promotions in back-to-back seasons.
Nicola Davidson leads this East Ringwood team, polling best on votes in every game so far this season.
In Round 8, East Ringwood will travel to Quambee Reserve to take on North Ringwood in the Ringwood derby.
Final prediction: 3rd
Knox:
Ladder position: 5th (2-5)
Percentage: 94.20%
Points for (rank): 211 (5th)
Points against (rank): 224 (4th)
Leading goal kicker: Tamara Stocks (4 goals)
Most times in best: Ella Ritchie (4 times)
The Falcons’ only two wins have come against last-placed Beaconsfield in Rounds 2 and 6 in season 2024.
It is not all doom and gloom however, as Knox are coming off the back of a close four point loss to North Ringwood. They kicked 3.3-21 in the third quarter, building momentum for the rest of the season.
They will now travel to Park Orchards, who sit just one spot above them on the ladder.
The side has plenty of potential to make a late run to the finals, having shown that their best is good enough to compete with the top teams.
Final prediction: 5th
North Ringwood:
Ladder position: 2nd (5-2)
Percentage: 143.72%
Points for (rank): 332 (1st)
Points against (rank): 231 (5th)
Leading goal kicker: Eliza Wilson (17 goals)
Most times in best: Jess Begg (7 times)
North Ringwood have improved greatly from a 7-7 finish last season, now standing in second place at 5-2.
The team has standout players across the field. Jess Begg has earned best on votes in every game so far this season. In attack, Eliza Wilson holds an eight goal gap on the next highest goal kickers in the league; both of which play for North Ringwood (Carli Forbes [9 goals], Rachel Hoffmann [9 goals in 2 games]). This forward line has the ability to kick any opposition out of reach, in the regular season and beyond.
North Ringwood take a two game win streak into the Ringwood derby against East Ringwood.
Final prediction: 1st
Park Orchards:
Ladder position: 4th (4-3)
Percentage: 106.40%
Points for (rank): 216 (4th)
Points against (rank): 203 (3rd)
Leading goal kicker: Jasmine Taylor, Elly Hartnett, Mia McAuliffe (4 goals)
Most times in best: Remy Archer, Molly Heymanson, Alannah Panza (5 times)
Park Orchards sit comfortably inside the top-four of the ladder at the mid-way point of the season.
The Sharks have many contributors around the ground, with Taylor, Hartnett and McAuliffe leading the team in goal kicking. Archer, Heymanson and Panza have each polled best on votes in five games this season. Elsewhere, Dakota Hoen has been a standout in defence.
Having dropped their last two games to North Ringwood and Donvale, Park Orchards will look to get back to winning ways when they host Knox in Round 8.
Final prediction: 4th
