With the 2022 season just around the corner, Tara Murray has taken a look at all the Airport Toyota Women's teams heading into Round One.
The 2022 competition will consist of three senior divisions with 23 teams competing.
Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division will consist of Aberfeldie, Burnside Heights, Hillside, Keilor, Maribyrnong Park 1, Moonee Valley 1, Oak Park 1 and Westmeadows 1.
Essendon Doutta Stars, Gisborne, Greenvale, Moonee Valley 2, Pascoe Vale, Strathmore, Sunbury Kangaroos 1 and Sunbury Lions make up Airport Toyota Women's Division One.
In Airport Toyota Women's Division Two, it will be Airport West, Coburg Districts, Maribyrnong Park 2, Oak Park 2, Sunbury Kangaroos 2, Tullamarine and Westmeadows 2 battling it out.
2021: 8th, Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division (1W, 10L, 27.7%)
Coach: Glenn Walsh (1st season, replacing Trent Cummings)
Player News: The big news started early for Abers with the announcement of premiership players Amber Wescombe and Ellie Huggard committing to the club, having played VFLW the last couple of seasons. Molly King (Moonee Valley), Jess McKenna (Sunbury Lions) and Felicity Whelan (Spotswood) are among the other ins. Premiership captain Kurtis Shine has headed to Coburg, while premiership ruck Amy Starzer is playing at the Sunbury Lions. Clearances for Siobhan Carlton and Sarah Larkings have been lodged with the pair having moved to Queensland.
EDFL Media Says: From top to bottom for Aberfeldie in 2021 after the departure of several premiership players. Lucky not to be relegated, Abers will be keen for a much better performance this season. Walsh, who has previously been in the program returns after a year off and a lot of work has been done off field. The club has several players in NAB League and VFLW programs, who if given the opportunity will provide some more depth for Abers.
Round 1 Fixture: Oak Park (A)
2021: 7th, Airport Toyota Women's Division One (2W, 9L, 23%)
Coach: Marcus Barclay (1st season, replacing Anthony Montrose)
Player News: The Eagles have looked to add some more key players to the squad for this season. Ashleigh Drews, who comes across from Aberfeldie, will prove some run off half back, while Lily Saunders is hoping to finally take to the field after a knee injury last season meaning she didn’t play a game after joining the club. Brooke Harty (Keilor), Marie Napoli (Pascoe Vale), Lauren Clark (Bundoora), Rhian Daley (Diamond Creek) and Cheyenne Macumber (formerly Keilor Park) are among others who have put in transfers. No players from last season have put in a clearance to leave.
EDFL Media Says: It was a mixed first season for Airport West, with a couple of early wins, while losing their coach part way through the season. After some big losses late in the season, the Eagles have gone down a division as they look to build a sustainable program. Marcus Barclay takes on the coaching role. Expect to see some consistent performances from the side they look to establish themselves in Airport Toyota Women's Division Two.
Round 1 Fixture: Sunbury Kangaroos 2 (H)
2021: 7th, Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division (3W, 7L, 58.70%)
Coach: Jeff Stevens (4th season)
Player News: There haven't been many announced changes for the Bears this season. Just one player who played in their first side last season has put in a clearance along with a couple of players from their second side. Dropping from two to one sides, the Bears won’t have the same numbers of players to select from. Elyce Clancy, who played for Coburg Districts in 2019 is one new signing.
EDFL Media Says: Not much went in the favour of Burnside Heights last season, with serious injuries and a couple of pregnancies. Kayla Ravenello, who returned late in the season, is back this season leading the way, while the usual names of Krissy Trang, Ebony Stevens, Sina Mason are all back again. The Bears youth were the ones to benefit from last season getting more chances and further development. We saw glimpses of what the Bears could do late in 2021, and expect to see more of that this year.
Round 1 Fixture: Maribyrnong Park 1 (A)
2021: 3rd, Airport Toyota Women's Division Two (4W, 6L, 109.25%)
Coach: Ron McGill (2nd season)
Player News: The Lions have made a big focus on developing from within and this season doesn’t seem to be any different. Emily Gray (Ferntree Gully) and Nicky Mackenzie (Brunswick) will provide some more midfield depth. On the other side, no clearances have been lodged for players looking to switch clubs.
EDFL Media Says: Coburg Districts is one side that would have been disappointed in last season ending early. A breakthrough first win, the Lions improved throughout the season and would have been a chance come finals. With the same group and another year of development, the Lions will be one of the top fancies in Airport Toyota Women's Division Two.
Round 1 Fixture: Maribyrnong Park 2 (H)
2021: 6th, Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division (4W, 7L, 67.83%)
Coach: Damian Bellino (1st season, replacing Craig Rutley)
Player News: The Stars haven’t added many key recruits but those that they have will have an impact. Alesha Hobbs returns after leaving halfway through last season while Mia Sevior (Pascoe Vale) has also come across. Mia Breidis, Courtney McCormack, Mali Mcleod and Yara Taylor are on the move and will be big losses for the Stars.
EDFL Media Says: The Stars will be one of the more interesting sides of the 2022 season. After a solid season in Premier Division last year, the side has dropped down to Airport Toyota Women's Division One after losing a number of players. A late coaching appointment hasn’t helped with that. They’ve still got some top line talent led by Hobbs, but it will be the bottom group that decides how the side goes under new coach Bellino. Expect to see some younger players go through the side throughout the season.
Round 1 Fixture: Gisborne (A)
2021: 1st, Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division (10W, 1L, 280.56%)
Coach: Brooke Surgeon (1st season, replacing Shannon McFerran)
Player News: Things have been pretty quiet coming from the Blues which is a good thing heading into the season as defending champions. Erin Bult and Stephanie Forbes are additions to the side, but Nicole Steward and Taylah Egan have put in clearances to go elsewhere. For the Blues, the most interesting element for them will be who is playing VFLW each week. Kaitlyn O’Keefe is one who has stepped up to the higher level this season.
EDFL Media Says: Can the Blues end the premiers curse? The last two premiers, Pascoe Vale and Aberfeldie, struggled the season after and finished bottom. The Blues though haven’t had the number of outs like those sides and have been consistent since the start. Expect the Blues to be one of the teams to beat again this season.
Round 1 Fixture: Moonee Valley 1 (A)
2021: 5th, Airport Toyota Women's Division One (6W, 5L, 114.4%)
Coach: Jason Peak (4th season)
Player News: The Bulldogs, who will now field their junior sides in the EDFL, have looked to reinforce their young talent. Tanisha Clark, Abbey McKenna and Stephanie Jones have all come across from East Sunbury’s under-18.5 team while Ruby Shepherd has crossed from the Sunbury Lions. Chantelle McDonald joins the Bulldogs from the Bendigo Thunder.
EDFL Media Says: The one thing you can guarantee is that the Bulldogs will be at least competitive. With a season under their belts in the league, the Bulldogs are only going to be better for it. What’s exciting for the Bulldogs is the young talent they bought in and should compliment their top end talent. Finals should be the aim of the Bulldogs.
Round 1 Fixture: Essendon Doutta Stars (H)
2021: 4th, Airport Toyota Women's Division One (6W, 5L, 171.08%)
Coach: Troy Newton (2nd Season)
Player News: The Jets went bang early in the pre-season bringing in four players from the Sunbury Lions. 2021 AGA Apprenticeships Plus Rising Star winner Teiria Fry and Alisa Magri are the two big names. Outside of that, it has been pretty quiet on the clearance front. Like many other teams, what VFLW and NAB League players they have available will play a role.
EDFL Media Says: The Jets were one of the big improvers last season and expect that to continue this year. The Jets have added more depth to the side, which will help share the spread. They’ve had a number of new players coming into the club and could lead to some new talent being unveiled. Expect the Jets to be among the contenders in Airport Toyota Women's Division One.
Round 1 Fixture: Pascoe Vale (A)
2021: 2nd, Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division (7W, 4L, 174.91%)
Coach: Rob Davis (1st season, replacing Justin Fairservice)
Player News: Another side that has been quiet on the signing news. Yara Taylor has crossed from Essendon Doutta Stars and while Kyiesha Taylor has played for multiple clubs. Rachel Burton has gone to Coburg, while Lily Wood also departs. The Sharks have a number of players on VFLW lists including reigning league best and first winner Emily Paterno.
EDFL Media Says: Last season we saw what the Sharks could do when they were at their best. Injuries late had a massive impact, with the side looking to add some more depth to the squad. It will be interesting to see how the Sharks go under new coach Rob Davis, along with how many games players like Emily Paterno, Hannah Ibrahim and Nikita Wright play with VFLW commitments. Expect the Sharks to be in the mix again this year.
Round 1 Fixture: Westmeadows 1 (A)
2021: 5th, Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division (6W, 5L, 92.44%)
4th, Airport Toyota Women's Division Two (5W, 5L, 37.55%)
Coach: Phil Poursanidis (1st season, replacing Charlie Fenech) - Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division
Amelia Beardmore (1st season, replacing Kate Hughes) - Airport Toyota Women's Division Two
Player News: Another side that has been quiet on the player announcements. There has been little movement clearance wise both in and out. One big loss is that of Mia D’Agostino, who has headed to Coburg. The Lions still have two sides, so they will have plenty of numbers and depth.
EDFL Media Says: The Lions made the move to Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division last season and looked right at home with the top sides, while they dropped away a little bit late, it was still an impressive first season in the top division. Expect the side to be better for the experience and after another pre-seasons under their belts, will be better for it.
Round 1 Fixture: Burnside Heights (H) - Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division
Coburg Districts (A) - Airport Toyota Women's Division Two
2021: 1st, Airport Toyota Women's Division One (11W, 0L, 808.13%)
1st, Airport Toyota Women's Division Two (8W, 3L, 318.45%)
Coach: Brad Sammut (1st season, replacing Paul Edwards) - Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division
Paul Edwards (3rd season) - Airport Toyota Women's Division One
Player News: On paper there hasn’t been too many changes at the Fog. Lily Wood (Hillside) and Jane Greenshields (Pascoe Vale) have both come across during the off season. Anastasia D’Cruz, who played across both teams last season, has made the move to Aberfeldie.
EDFL Media Says: Moonee Valley is one of the most interesting clubs headed into the 2022 season. After two premierships in 2021, both their sides have gone up a division. On paper they look to have players who can take that next step with some really strong top end talent, but whether the bottom half of each side can make the step successfully is the question. Paul Edwards has stepped back to coach the team's reserves side while Brad Sammut takes the reigns of the seniors.
Round 1 Fixture: Keilor (H) - Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division
Sunbury Kangaroos 1 (A) - Airport Toyota Women's Division One
2021: 4th, Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division (6W, 5L, 116.92%)
Coach: Lessey Hodgkinson and Nicolas Cook (2nd season) - Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division
Elise Chandler (1st season) - Airport Toyota Women's Division Two
Player News: Oak Park has continued to build on its squad. After a strong first season the Roos have added even more depth to the squad. Mali McLeod and Mia Briedis have both crossed from Essendon Doutta Stars, while Chloe Caruna and Rhianna Nunn have come across from Westmeadows and Alexi Kasteliotis, as the Kangaroos field two sides this season. The side has several VFLW players, including Mikayla Barnes and Marnie Jarvis.
EDFL Media Says: The Kangaroos got better and better as last season went on as they formed the connections on field and were one of the inform teams of the competition. With the same group and a couple more additions, the Kangaroos will continue to have high ambitions this season. Expect them to be around the mark come finals time.
Round 1 Fixture: Aberfeldie (H) - Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division
Westmeadows 2 (H) - Airport Toyota Women's Division Two)
2021: 6th, Airport Toyota Women's Division One (3W, 8L, 54.10%)
Coach: Grant Ogston (2nd season)
Player News: Pascoe Vale has been hit hard by players looking to go elsewhere. Megan Cann, Mia Sevior, Ilmie Cuthbert, Shannon Gore, Jane Greenshields, Marie Napoli and Ashlee Thorneycroft have all put in clearances to leave the Panthers. The Panthers haven’t announced any new signings.
EDFL Media Says: Pascoe Vale was one of the more inconsistent sides last season, with some really good results and then some disappointing ones. Youth and bringing through players from the system has been the focus and it seems that it will be that way against this year. With a number of players leaving, it will be interesting to see whether it will have an impact.
Round 1 Fixture: Greenvale (H)
2021: 2nd, Airport Toyota Women's Division One (10W, 1L, 427.70%)
Coach: Bernadette Marantelli (3rd season)
Player News: Strathmore is another club that has been quiet on the player news front. Ashlee Thorneycroft, and Liza Edwards are both set to join the Mores ranks for this season to add some more depth to the squad. The key for the Mores though will be their younger players coming through. With a good batch of under-18s stepping up, expect the improvement to come from there. Of those who played last season, Kristian Baldassaro, Louisa Chatteron, Mikaela Crewes and Maddy Kelly have all put in clearances to go elsewhere.
EDFL Media Says: Strathmore continues to make the right moves. The club has focused on its younger talent and it has paid off. Those who played senior football last season will continue to develop, while the next group, including some who have been playing for the Calder Cannons, are just as exciting. Expect the Mores to continue to progress.
Round 1 Fixture: Sunbury Lions (H)
2021: 5th, Airport Toyota Women's Division Two (2W, 9L, 16.30%)
Coach: Ron Sikora (2nd season) - Airport Toyota Women's Division One
Kelsie Gill (1st season) - Airport Toyota Women's Division Two
Player News: There has been plenty of ins for the Kangaroos during the off season with the club looking to field two sides. A number of those players will slot into the senior team. The Kangaroos have looked to add some experience with Lisa Borg , Sam White and the two Kirby sisters, Lisa and Lauren. At the other end, they’ve added a number of local players from across Sunbury, who are starting their senior careers. Sophie Pettman, who won East Sunbury’s under-18.5 best and fairest last season, while there’s been a number cross from the Sunbury Lions. One positive for the Kangaroos, they haven’t lost any senior players to other teams.
EDFL Media Says: The Kangaroos have done a mountain of work in the off season after a tough 2021. Managing to get numbers for two sides, the Kangaroos will have sides in Airport Toyota Women's Division One and Two. The Kangaroos have added more depth, with the likes of White, Courtney McCormack, Pettman, Borg, the two Kirbys and Olivia Dewar, to all play key roles. If new signings, Reese Sutton and Abbey McDonald, who are both draft prospects, get to take to the field for the Kangaroos it will strengthen the side even further.
Round 1 Fixture: Moonee Valley 2 (H) - Airport Toyota Women's Division One
Airport West (A) - Airport Toyota Women's Division Two
2021: 3rd, Airport Toyota Women's Division One (9W, 2L, 139.38%)
Coach: Daniel Brady (2nd season)
Player News: It’s been a mixed off season for the Lions. They’ve lost several players, while they won’t have an under-18.5 side this season. Alisa Magri, Terira Fey, Rebecca Lee, India McNeill Wren, Jess Sutton and Olivia Dewar all played seniors last season, with all but one to play against them this year. The big signing for the Lions has been Aberfeldie premiership ruck Amy Starzer, who has moved to the area. Keira Glehill and Luci Connelly are among other signings.
EDFL Media Says: The Lions were one of the surprise packets last season and were set for a finals tilt before the season was called off. The loss of Tiara Fry and Alisia Magri will hurt, along with a number of other players on the move. The signing of Amy Starzer, a premiership player with Aberfeldie, is a big plus for the side. How the Lions cover the losses, especially since they don’t have an under-18.5 team this season, will be the key to how they go this season.
Round 1 Fixture: Strathmore (A)
2021: 8th, Airport Toyota Women's Division One (1W, 10L, 32.53%)
Coach: Peter Labbad (2nd season)
Players News: The player signing announcements are starting to come for the Demons in recent days. Fallan Courts, has crossed from the WRFL, where she was named in the division 2 team of the year, while Madeline Rose is another signing. The Demons have lost Samantha White, who has moved to the Sunbury Kangaroos.
EDFL Mews Says: The Demons are one of two sides to drop down from Airport Toyota Women's Division One this season. They still have a core group of players from the last few seasons led by Tricia Devine. The Demons showed when they put it all together, they can beat any team on their day. Expect the Demons to be among the top sides this year.
Round 1 Fixture: BYE
2021: 3rd, Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division (6W, 4L, 153.25%)
2nd, Airport Toyota Women's Division Two (8W, 3L, 136.13%)
Coach: Wayne Spicer (2nd Season) - Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division
Natalie Linton (1st Season, replacing Gemma Wright) - Airport Toyota Women's Division Two
Player News: Another club that has been pretty quiet on the signing news after signing a number of players the last couple of years. The Tigers have lost Chloe Caruana, Angel Georgallis, Matilda Kelly, Rhianna Nunn and Lalia Zayat, but with two sides still have plenty of depth.
EDFL Media Says: The Tigers have all the pieces, but it’s a matter of putting it together consistently. Led by Gemma Wright, the Tigers have key players across all lines and have the ability to beat any side on their day. Expect the Tigers to be in the mix again.
Round 1 Fixture: Hillside (H) - Airport Toyota Women's Premier Division
Oak Park (H) - Airport Toyota Women's Division Two
