The opening round of the 2013 Army AFL Sydney Women’s competitions commence this weekend and we look at each of the teams chances across Division One.
2013 is a landmark year for the AFL Sydney Womens competition with a new naming sponsor in the Army, through Defence Force Recruiting, and divisonalisation for the first time.
The top 6 sides from 2012 (Balmain, Sydney University, Wollongong, UNSW/ES, Western Wolves and Newtown) will compete in the Division One competition while Auburn, Macquarie University, Penrith, Southern Power, UTS and new side Randwick City face off in Division Two.
Both divisions will play 15 rounds of football with the finals and Grand Finals built into the AFL Sydney men’s competition for the first time.
Round 1 of the season kicks off this weekend with two ground hosting full rounds of each division. Division One sides are all at Mahoney Reserve with the highlight game being the 2012 Grand Final rematch between Balmain and Sydney University at 3pm. Over at Pioneers Park in Malabar the newly formed Randwick City Angels host the Division Two teams as they take to battle for the first time this year.
Below we take a look at the chances of the six Division One sides for the upcoming season.
Division One
Balmain Dockers
INS
Nil
OUTS
Nil
Preview
The Dockers come into the season as back to back Premiers after completing an undefeated season in 2012 and must be considered strong favourites to make it a three-peat. A very experienced and settled side who apart from the odd retirement remain essentially unchanged and should gel immediately. Coached by NSW Womens State Coach in Tracey Kick the side is well drilled and know how to get the job done.
There is talent all across the ground for the Dockers in the likes of Jackie Buckthought, Laura Holdworth and Kath Bobzan but Belinda Pride, last years Deborah Rogers Memorial Trophy winner as Best on Ground in the Grand Final as well as the women’s leading goal kicker, will be a key for the side as they rely on her to kick regular bags.
All in all it would not surprise if the Dockers made it a trifecta of Premierships in 2013
Prediction
1st
Wollongong Saints
INS
|
Sophie
|
King
|
Shellharbour Junior AFL Club
|
|
Madelane
|
Collier
|
Kiama Junior AFL Club
|
OUTS
Nil
Preview
2012 was a breakout year for the Wollongong Saints as they came from the clouds to finish the home and away season in second position. This vast improvement from previous years was thanks to the influx of junior talent from the Illawarra regions youth girls competition, something all other clubs would love to have access to. Once again led by experienced coach Lisa Roper it can be expected the Saints will improve further in season 2013 with additional experience.
Young new recruits King and Collier (both State Under 18 players) played senior football with the side last year but join the team full time in 2013 and are certain to add some extra zip to the youthful side. Existing players Georgia Leach and youngster Eleri Morris are two to watch once again.
With the impressive season of 2012 it would be expected there would be further improvement this year and there should be no reason the Saints do not challenge for the flag in 2013, and many years to come.
Prediction
2nd
UNSW/ES Stingrays
INS
|
Nicola
|
Vrachnas
|
Sydney University
|
|
Melita
|
Morriss
|
Sydney University
|
|
Sandra
|
Janjetovic
|
Sydney University
|
|
Tammy
|
Callaghan
|
Sydney University
|
|
Tania
|
Lenon
|
Sydney University
|
|
Mai
|
Nguyen
|
Sydney University
|
|
Alex
|
Engel
|
Sydney University
|
|
Hannah
|
McIntosh
|
Eastlake Women's
|
OUTS
|
Jenna
|
Linehan
|
Coastal Titans
|
Prediction
UNSW/ES Stingrays have been the big players in the off season transfer market with a big influx of players, in particular from powerhouse Sydney University, presumably following coach Krissie Steen who also made the switch in the off season. The number, and quality of recruits to the Stingrays bodes well for the side with two of these in the NSW State side including Mai Nguyen who also polled well in last years League Best & Fairest voting.
These strong additions should ease the workload of the competitions best player in Courtney Gum. Last years League Best & Fairest winner, by a big margin, was pivotal the Stingrays chances in 2012 so will relish the assistance of some quality ball winners around her. This should ensure Ciska van Schalkwyk kicks plenty of goals up forward as she did last year.
Led by new coach Krissie Steen who will rally her troops for a big season, it is expected that the Stingrays will be the big improvers in 2013 and it would not be unexpected for them to be a live chance this year and have a real shot at premiership glory.
Sydney University Bombers
INS
|
Olivia
|
Warren
|
UTS Shamrocks
|
|
Stephanie
|
Walker
|
Drummoyne Youth Girls
|
OUTS
|
Nicola
|
Vrachnas
|
UNSW/ES Stingrays
|
|
Melita
|
Morriss
|
UNSW/ES Stingrays
|
|
Sandra
|
Janjetovic
|
UNSW/ES Stingrays
|
|
Tammy
|
Callaghan
|
UNSW/ES Stingrays
|
|
Tania
|
Lenon
|
UNSW/ES Stingrays
|
|
Mai
|
Nguyen
|
UNSW/ES Stingrays
|
|
Alex
|
Engel
|
UNSW/ES Stingrays
|
|
Katrina
|
Dunn
|
UTS Shamrocks
|
|
Renee
|
Harrington
|
Hobart Football Club
|
Preview
One of the ‘big two’ in recent years, Sydney University will be very much an unknown quantity in 2013 with a new look side and structure under new coach Yucel Celenk. A host of quality players have followed last years coach Krissie Steen to the Stingrays however on paper there is still plenty of quality in the side including All Australian Libby Sadler and State players Una Mackay and Lara Creber.
To temper the significant losses, the gain of Olivia Warren from the Shamrocks, who was one of their best in 2012 is a good pick up while youngster Stephanie Walker is a star in the making and is certainly one to keep an eye on moving forward.
After a strong couple of years, the Bombers chances remain a query and while they will certainly be competitive and should be playing finals the loss of players may see a bit of a slide for the team this year.
Prediction
4th
Western Wolves
INS
|
Trudi
|
Lines
|
Waratah FC
|
|
Kristy
|
Stroop
|
Eastlake Women's
|
OUTS
|
Jemma
|
Casserly
|
Randwick City Angels
|
|
Leagh
|
Taylor
|
Randwick City Angels
|
|
Elspeth
|
Banks
|
Randwick City Angels
|
Preview
Under new coach and Wests legend Andrew Taylor we can expect a new brand of football for the team however a hallmark of the of the Wolves of previous years is tough, contested football and this is one constant that will remain in 2013.
The Wolves boast two of the marquee players of the competition in last years runner up in the League Best & Fairest Melissa Freckleton and second runner-up Kate Lawson who will both be pivotal to the sides chances this year. Up forward Nikki Jay Furlong will need to reproduce her goal kicking heroics to ensure the side put scoreboard pressure on the more fancied sides.
The Wolves have lost a number of players to the newly formed Angels in Division Two however new players Lines and Stroop come from strong competitions interstate and should cover these loses.
While the Wolves were knocked out of the finals in the opening round in 2012, they were very competitive all year and while they are a big chance to cause an upset or two throughout the season they would need drastic improvement to be a flag chance in 2013.
Prediction
5th
Newtown Breakaways
INS
|
Camille
|
Bernardino
|
Southern Power
|
|
Stephanie
|
Wake
|
Ainslie Women's
|
|
Codie
|
Briggs
|
Yarra Valley
|
OUTS
|
Kylie
|
Williamson
|
Keysborough Burras
|
|
Kristen
|
Pope
|
Mt Lawley
|
Preview
2012 was a season that started full of promise for the Breakaways as they really pushed the top sides however as the season progressed the side fell away and were quickly bundled out in the finals. 2013 is a new season and the side will look to build some consistency and go deep into finals this year under coach Peter Tennant.
Tobi Noble will look to replicate her impressive 2012 season while forward pairing Verna Iles and Krystle Thompson are devastating in front of goal and will be pivotal to the sides chances.
The loss of Kristen Pope in particular is blow to the side however Stephanie Wake and Codie Briggs come from strong interstate competitions and will be worth keeping an eye on in the early rounds.
While they should once again be competitive this year and improve under second year coach Peter Tennant, it appears Newtown may find the rigours of Division One tough in 2013
Prediction
6th
Last Modified on 12/04/2013 12:52
