By Mathew Asciak
Both Women’s teams will be back in business for round 3 of the VAFA season, following the historic first home win for the Seniors last week against Old Xaverians. The enormous win in round 2 did wonders for the Lions percentage, boosting it to 391% and help them move into the top 4. A match played almost exclusively in the Lions forward half, they established midfield ascendancy early and never have the Xavs a road back into the match .
Lion of the round Kayla Koropeckyj was immense in and around the contest (22 disposals, 9 clearances). Debutants Cat O’Bryan and Tayla Dinuccio both impressed in their first games in Coburg colours.
Both players had a balanced impact on their stats sheet, with Dinuccio (17 disposals, 6 tackles, 1 goal) showed a willingness to create a strong defensive presence, while O’Bryan (10 disposals, 3 marks, 16 hit outs) gave Natasha Phipps a reprieve in the ruck and showing a composed, assured figure across the ground.
The Lions had no issues finding avenues to goal, with Elsa Mangan (5 goals, 7 marks), Jemma Laffey (4 goals, 6 marks) and Steph Filbay (14 disposals, 3 goals) all kicking multiple goals.
For the Development side, they will look to make it two wins from two in the VAFA Premier Reserves, following their 23-point first round performance against Melbourne University. Key forward Ruby Taranto was best afield on the day, kicking 3 majors, while midfielder Taylan Merrick had a great debut, getting their first goal for the Lions.
A mixed bag of early season results for this week’s opponents, St. Kevin’s with their reserves squad yet to register a win in their opening two matches, losing to University in round 2 by 8 points and suffered a heartbreaking 2-point loss to Caulfield Grammarians, despite leading by 2 points at the 3QT break.
Their Seniors, however, have showed no signs of a premiership hangover, opening their premiership defence and search for the three-peat in style, with two comprehensive victories against the Grammarians the season opener and University in the week gone by. Newly appointed club captain and reigning Best and Fairest, Bree Doyle, has had a strong start to the season. Doyle has been amongst the best in both matches thus far, with a BOG performance last week versus University.
Looking to secure follow on from their triumph in round 1, the Development team is back in action this week and will feature yet another debutant, Bowen Hackett, who was a late omission in round 1 due to illness. They will be without key forward Ruby Taranto, who will feature in the Seniors again this week, following her strong performance last week in the win over the Xavs. Also returning to fold is Natalie Todaro, who featured for the Seniors in round 1.
Returning to the Senior squad this week will be half-back flanker Michelle Sliwinski, who was also a late omission last week.
Team line-ups:
Seniors:
B 53 SULEIMAN 12 MITCHENER 30 ABELA
HB 4 ZAYAT 70 OBRYAN 36 SLIWINSKI
C 10 DUGUID (Capt) 5 MCNALLY 9 COLLIS
HF 29 FILBAY 6 SAID 67 STEPAN
F 15 D’AGOSTINO 58 MANGAN 27 LAFFEY
R 39 PHIPPS 41 KOROPECKYJ 65 DINUCCIO
INT 26 CHISOLM 11 HAYES 22 TARANTO 3 UNTHANK
EMG: ADAMS 38 23 BENNETT 46 MINCHIN
IN: Sliwinski
OUT: Nil
Development:
B 33 CHETCUTI 7 UMAKI 35 GRIFFIN
HB 28 HALFPENNY 38 ADAMS 48 CATALANO
C 23 BENNETT 13 TODARO 68 PERRETT
HF 19 SAMPSON 14 KOTAS 1 BABER
F 37 CAVANAGH 46 MINCHIN 21 BALABUROV
R 56 RODEZNO 34 MERRICK 31 PRIMERANO
INT 32 JAZ SMITH 16 BROMILOW 42 HACKETT 18 WENBAN
EMG: NIL
IN: Hackett, Todaro
OUT: Taranto
Match details:
Round 3 | VAFA Williams Buck Premier Women’s
St.Kevins vs Coburg Lions
Righetti Oval, Kooyong
Saturday 29th April, 2pm (Reserves 12pm)
*Coburg team selection is pending VFLW player selection and Top up player selection
