The Women’s Division Two competition has been thrown wide open this year thanks to the promotion of Southern Power and Wollongong Saints, the two dominant sides in 2014, to the Division One Competition. This should see a much more even competition, in particular with the improvement of the newer sides.
Blacktown Magic make their first foray into women’s football in season 2015 and while they are probably not expected to challenge for the title, its great to see the growth of women’s football, in particular in Western Sydney. While Randwick City have unfortunately been a late withdrawal, NEwtown Breakaways have managed to put together a second side to take their place in the competition.
Speaking of Western Sydney, the Penrith Ramettes will head into season 2015 as the strong favourites in this competition after a couple of successful recent years where they have been preliminary finalists. Boasting 2014 Division Two League Best and Fairest Nikki Perrett along with representative player Nat Camilleri, the Ramettes have depth all over the park and will prove very hard to hold out. Only losing to last years Grand Finalists throughout the season, Penrith will be looking for Premiership glory and should prove hard to hold out.
It is expected that their obvious competition for the premiership will come from consistent performers UTS who have been the most consistent side in this competition over recent years. Penrith did have their measure in all meetings last season however there wasn’t much between the sides and with continued development of their newer players the Shamrocks will prove a real contender.
Below the top two sides, the fight for positions three, four and five to play finals in 2015 looks extremely even, so much so that the panel predicting this competition were split. Of the new sides in 2014, Manly-Warringah look to have the most depth and improvement and should be finals contenders. The side boasts numerous representative players across a variety of codes and with the killer instinct we know all too well from sides from the northern beaches, a deep run in finals would be of no surprise.
Auburn were the big improvers in 2014 with their first ever finals appearance where they give UTS a mighty fright in the Elimination Final by taking an early lead but eventually were run down. The big question for Auburn this year will be how they cope without their star player Lael Kassem who has made the tough decision to have a go at Division One football and transferred to Western Wolves. The Giants relied heavily on the representative player who was breathtaking at times throughout the year to finish runner up in the League Best & Fairest medal and her loss is significant.
Gosford Wildcats, under representative coach Simon Berry who boast three AFL SYdney representative players in Hessell, Mutton and Lawrence, are a side that could take a big jump up the ladder in 2015 and will be looking to build on a solid first season, as will Moorebank and UNSW/ES reserve grade side.
Newtown are the unknown quantity in this competition but being the reserve grade side, probably arent expected to match it with the top sides but its great to see the clubs depth and extra girls now getting a game.
The Stars
Probably not going out on a real limb here considering both are part of the AFL Sydney Womens representative program in 2014, but Nikki Perrett (Penrith Rammettes) and Lara Hilmi (UTS Shamrocks) were two standouts in season 2014 and are expected to play a huge role in their sides quest for premiership glory. Youngster, and newcomer to the game Tayla Stahl from Moorebank was super impressive in her representatove debut over the weekend and is a star of the future.
The Rookies
The Division Two competition is blessed with young talent coming through and provides a great platform for youth girls progressing to senior football to find their feet. Players Haneen Zreika (Auburn) are Tayla Stahl (mentioned above) are just two of the many stars of the future.
The Big Transfer
Unfortunately the big transfer is an “outbound” one and that is for last years Division Two League B&F runner up from Auburn Giants to Division One side Western Wolves. There was another big name considering a switch to Division One but has decided to stay with her club for now...
Dark horse
Manly-Warringah – although in only their second season of the competition, the Giants proved they were no easy beats in 2014 and with some highly skilled athletes from other codes coming across to the game, it would not surprise at all if they were to emulate their senior men’s teams feats in recent years.
Predictions
1. Penrith
2. UTS
3. Manly-Warringah
4. Auburn
5. Gosford
6. UNSW/ES
7. Moorebank
8. Newtown
9. Blacktown
Last Modified on 16/04/2015 08:02
