There is plenty of interest in the Women’s Division One competition this year and with a late change to the competition with the withdrawal of the Balmain Dockers, taking the division back to seven teams, its an open affair. This late change will have an impact on the competition with Newtown in particular likely to be the beneficiary of a number of quality players transferring to them. This late change, along with the promotion of the two dominant Division Two teams from last year in Southern Power and Wollongong, make for an intriguing season ahead.
Southern Power open their 2015 season with a Grand Final re-match against Wollongong on Saturday which will double as their flag raising ceremony. Undefeated in 2014, the Power are deserved Division One contenders now and have quality players in their line up. While they may struggle to knock off the top sides, they will be more than competitive under new coach (and representative assistant coach) Abe Caroca. Boasting the AFL Sydney vice captain and 2014 Division Two Best and Fairest Runner-up Kathryn Hull in the midfield and the extremely talented Kristy De Pellegrini controlling the backline, the side come into the competition with no expectations but plenty of drive. Ashlee McClure provides a great target up forward and with new player Rheanna Lotter joining the side they will produce their fair share of upsets and will be in the mix for the last finals position.
The side the Power beat in the Division Two Grand Final, Wollongong Saints, come into the competition in a very similar position. Probably not expected to challenge for the title, the side will be looking for revenge in Round 1 after a great preseason. Hardly a goal separated the two sides in all four meetings last year and they should take it right up to the more fancied sides. They do have the bonus of plenty of talented youth in their side which bodes well for the future. Kimberley Chan is a ball magnet and was a revelation across half back last year while Nicci Kennedy’s speed and skills will see her in for a big season. Add in the mix the experience of Kat Gow and the likes of ruckmen Laura Russell, arguably the leagues best ruck, and its a well balanced side. They will be one of those sides fighting for the last finals position also and cant be underestimated.
On the flip side, the 2013 and 2014 Premiers Sydney University will be looking for a rare three-peat this year and must start slight favourites to achieve this after an undefeated Premiership year last year. On paper they have the side to achieve this and with the inclusion this season of Nic Barr from the Youth Girls competition the future looks bright also. Everyone knows the talents of Stephanie Walker (last years League Best & Fairest winner) and she should only continue to improve and be a real thorn in the side of opposition defences. The team boast Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2014 in Yucel Celenk whose foray into Australian Rules Football has proved a very successful one. The team have a number of representative players in Jen Lew (best on ground as captain in the recent representative match against AFL Canberra) and Lara Creber while Rachel Stack across half-back has proved a real rock. They are now the hunted however a Grand Final spot should be on the cards again.
UNSW/ES come into season 2015 looking to go one better than last year after falling just short in a tight Grand Final. Tracey Kick goes into her second season as coach which is a positive for the side however the biggest off season news is the departure of superstar Courtney Gum who is moving interstate. Her loss cannot be underestimated and it will be left to the next tier of players to step up to fill the void. Maddy Collier already has a League Best & Fairest to her name is one who will have greater responsibility. As tough as they come, Collier has all the skills and is in for a big year. The Stingrays also landed a big transfer coup with young gun Bec Beeson moving across from Macquarie University. Captain of the NSW/ACT Youth Girls side, Beeson (2013 Rising Star winner) will prove hard to handle in the forward line and is in for a big season. Jacinda Barclay is also a new recruit who showed her wares in the recent representative fixture and should only improve as the season gets under way. Add these talents to the likes of Mai Nguyen (forward), Sandra Janjetovic (half-back) and Luisa Marzotta (midfield) and this side is primed for a shot at the flag and a big chance to do it.
The other real contender for the flag, and firming, is Newtown. After a sluggish start to 2014, the Breakaways really hit their straps the longer the season went and pushed the Stingrays all the way in the Preliminary Final to just fall short of a Grand Final birth. Already the beneficiaries of probably the biggest preseason of the seven sides, the sides chances were given a boost this week with the demise of Balmain which has seen half a dozen key Dockers join their ranks including Alison Parkin and Laura Holdsworth to name a couple. The addition of this talent puts the Breakaways firmly in a Premiership window now and makes for interesting following. While they have had quality recent additions, the side already looked strong with midfielders Georgia Verkuylen and Codie Briggs performing well in the representative fixture. Add to that last years leading goal kicker Verna Leigh and the side are a real force. The rumoured retirement of ruck Tobi Noble will be a tough hole to fill but there is a wealth of depth at the club currently. Dont be surprised if they take the next step this year.
The side that just missed out on the four last year was Western Wolves and sides would be advised to not underestimate them. More than competitive with the top sides, the Wolves have been building nicely in recent years under Andrew Taylor and will be among the fittest sides come their first game. This year they have added to their list with the exception Lael Kassem who has decided to test herself in Division One. Kassem was the spark that got the AFL Sydney side into action in the third quarter over the weekend and you can expect more of this with the Wolves. Her run and carry is brilliant, regularly breaking lines to set up goal scoring opportunities. Her inclusion along side regulars in Mel Freckleton, Michael Eckman and key forward Kate Lawson ensure that the Wolves will again be a tough side to come up against.
The team that rounded out the final four last year was first season Division One side Macquarie University. Probably not expected to be a threat, the Warriors exceeded all expectations and will be out to continue that trend. They boast one of the top few players in the competition in Amanda Farrugia in the midfield who can do it all but will again bare plenty of the load. Salome Cerda-Vargas was very impressive for AFL Sydney and is a key position defender with good skills and will be a key for the side. The loss of Rebecca Beeson is a significant one for the side and will be hard to replace. Fortunately the side had other alternatives to goal last year including Farrugia (18) and Jesse Wong (19). Wong has flown under the radar of oppositions in recent years and will again be a key forward target. Laila Waisu, Liz Fassone and Belinda Muldoon will also be pivotal for the sides finals aspirations this year.
Danny’s Predictions:
Mostyn Medal (Newly named Division One Best & Fairest award): Last years winner Stephanie Walker will again be prominent in the voting you would expect, as will 2013 winner Maddie Collier. Both girls have all the skills and toughness and although already stars of the competition, are the face of the new wave of youngsters coming into the competition which is pleasing to see. Luisa Marzotta only came to Sydney halfway through the season and is one of the best in the competition so with a full season must be a chance. Providing Macquarie University win enough games, Amanda Farrugia in her last season should poll plenty of votes and while an outsider, is a big chance. And finally, Lael Kassem grabs attention with her electrifying pace and long runs and may be prominent.
Rising Star: It’s pretty hard to go past Sydney Universities Nic Barr as the standout player of the new crop. Barr, a speedy half forward, winger with an excellent kick, has already represented the league against AFL Canberra and is one who will be a standout in season 2015.
Young Guns: Kimberley Chan & Nicci Kennedy (Wollongong), Maddy Collier & Rebecca Beeson (UNSW/ES), Rheanna Lotter (Southern Power), Steph Walker & Nic Barr (Sydney University)
Notable Transfers: The most notable is the relocation of Courtney Gum from UNSW/ES. Rebecca Beeson and Jacinda Barclay are handy replacements for Gum. Lael Kassem’s transfer from Auburn to Western Wolves is a significant one.
Ladder:
1. Sydney University
2. UNSW/ES
3. Newtown
4. Western Wolves
5. Macquarie University
6. Southern Power
7. Wollongong
Last Modified on 16/04/2015 14:31
