It’s not only some of the men’s teams that kick off their season on Good Friday, but two women’s matches will have plenty of interested onlookers. Having had a couple of seasons off playing on Good Friday, two premier division matches will be played alongside the three men’s matches.
In the first women’s match of the season, Hillside will host Oak Park at Hillside Recreation Reserve on Friday morning.
These two teams had very different seasons last year and will be hoping to get off to a flying start. The Sharks were one of the more disappointing teams last season in Premier Division. After being one of the pace setters in 2021 before the season was called off early, the Sharks couldn’t recapture that same form.
Many of their stars returned to play in the Victorian Football League Women’s competition, which hurt the side. Now with a season under their belt with coach Rob Davis, the Sharks should be better for it.
Caetlyn Twentymen returns to the club from Westmeadows as a playing assistant coach, Brittany Wunhym, who was playing with the VU Western Spurs, joins the club and brings VFLW experience.
The Sharks have also added young guns Kiera Whiley and Caitlin Sargent. Whiley will be one of the stars for the Western Jets this season, while Sargent joins the Sharks on the back of being on Essendon’s AFLW list. She’s still on the Bombers' VFLW list, so how much the Sharks see her is a question.
Oak Park’s first full season ended in disappointment, after its preliminary final with Westmeadows was called off early and neither team progressed through to the grand final.
Many of the Kangaroos stars were quick to re-sign with the side which was a massive positive. Only Mali Mcleod, who has joined Essendon Doutta Stars, has put in a clearance to join another club.
The Kangaroos have also added some other key pieces, Shelby Myers joins the club from the Doutta Stars. Goal kicker Alex Quiqley, steps back into the Premier Division, after playing with Greenvale the last couple of seasons.
With only one side this season, the Kangaroos should have some more depth instead of juggling numbers.
One question that surrounds them like other teams, how much will they see their VFL stars. The side, though, will go in as one of the premiership favourites
Another one of the premiership favourites will be last season’s Premier Division premiers Keilor.
The Blues also start their season on Good Friday, hosting last year’s Division One premiers Strathmore. It’s the second time the two teams have played on Good Friday.
Not much has changed for the Blues in the off season, with the core group returning as they look to continue their successful program.
The club again has a number of VFLW players, with most set to spend a lot of time at the higher level. That opens up more opportunities for others.
Coach Brooke Surgeon said they had only really added three players that would be in the mix to play every week, along with a couple that will spend their time in the VFLW.
Shenay Thomas returns to the Blues from the Sunbury Kangaroos. Her former Kangaroos teammates Sophie Pettman and Olivia Lacey have also joined the Blues. The club’s under-18 program will help provide some more depth as well.
There’s no reason to suggest that the Blues won’t be in the mix again.
While we know what the Blues produce, one of the unknowns is Strathmore, whO comes up to the top flight.
Ron Sikora, who coached the Sunbury Kangaroos the last two seasons, has been appointed coach. His last game in the Premier Division was coaching Keilor in the 2019 grand final.
How the Mores go in this level is the big question.
Other teams have come up and shown they can match it and the Mores have a lot of really talented players. The group is still young, but most have been together for a few years. With the under-18s winning a premiership last season too, there’s plenty of talent coming through.
Last season’s Division One best and fairest winner Eloise Freeman leads the way of the young talent. Freeman is on Williamstown’s VFLW list season, but is yet to play, so will be a key in for the Mores.
The Mores also have some former Sunbury Kangaroos players joining the club. Olivia Cairo, who won the Kangaroos best and fairest award last season, has come across along with Olivia Dewar, Kelsie Gill, and Emma Shields. The fourth will add some more depth to the squad.
What Strathmore can do this season, we won’t get a clearer idea until a few weeks in. Expect them to be a hard team to play against, as they will be well set up.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
HILLSIDE v OAK PARK
Friday 10:00am at Hillside Reserve
KEILOR v STRATHMORE
Friday 4:50pm at Joe Brown Oval
