By Connor Burns
Premier Women’s Division: Collegians v Coburg Lions at Harry Trott Oval in St Kilda, 3rd of August @2pm
The Coburg women’s senior side come into this weekend’s game with a good opportunity to upset the 5th placed Collegians. The Lions are coming off a 38-point defeat against an experienced Kew side. The girls were down by 32 points at half-time, before once again fighting it out in the backend of the game. Despite playing really good teams in recent weeks, the ‘Burgers’ will look to start Saturday’s game much better, which will give them a solid opportunity for a win.
The Collegians lost by 13 points to West Brunswick last week, in a game they probably thought they should’ve won. They will get back on home soil motivated to put together a good performance this weekend.
The Lions leaders will be crucial towards putting together a good performance on Saturday, with Sarah Jolly and co-captains Amy Duguid and Claire Cashman holding the keys to Coburg’s success. While Julia McArdle and Grace Painting have also impressed this season out on the wings. Coburg also received a massive boost last week with VFLW player Ella Tyson playing her third game of the season and she is named to play again, in a team-lifting inclusion.
For Collegians, there have a plethora of footballers to watch out for. Ebony Angelopoulos has regularly hit the scoreboard and been a mainstay for her side all year, while Krystal Russell has consistently been in the best players around her Essendon VFLW commitments. Rozy Beuzeville (Williamstown VFLW), Madison and Tayissa Gray (Essendon and Williamstown VFLW) respectively, and Scarlett Orritt (Essendon VFLW) are also all capable of playing great football for their side.
It was a thrilling contest last time the two sides clashes, with Coburg coming out on the wrong end of things, despite playing some brilliant footy. Can we go one better and knock off Collegians this Saturday?
Last time they met: Round 5 at Piranha Park
Collegians: 6.8 (44) def Coburg Lions 6.4 (40)
Collegians
Goalkickers: E. Angelopoulos 2, M. Shaw 2, R. Beuzeville, A. Kamberis
Best Players: A. Chessor, R. Beuzeville, F. Taylor, P. Rafferty, M. Shaw, K. Russell
Coburg
Goalkickers: D. Rowland 2, G. Sampson 2, A. Duguid, C. Rowland
Best Players: C. Cashman, G. Sampson, M. D’Agostino, A. Duguid, L. Collis, C. Perrett
Premier Women’s Reserves Division: Collegians v Coburg Lions at Harry Trott Oval in St Kilda, 3rd of August 11:40am
The Coburg women’s reserve side are eager to go after their forfeit in a recent game. They will look to bounce back from a 39-point loss to the top placed Kew last week. Things don’t get much easier though, as the girls take on the second placed Collegians.
Collegians themselves are coming off a 39-point win against the fourth placed West Brunswick, in a game that sent a strong message to their challengers. For the Coburg side, leadership will be crucial on a day where they face one of the strongest opponents. Look for guidance and a steady head from captain Tara Chetcuci, rallying the troupes in the backline and setting players up over the field.
While vice-captains Lisa Halfpenny and Ella Menzies will be crucial through the middle of the ground and provide experience and class to Coburg, having had a small taste of senior football this year.
For Collegians key forward Brooke Tuszynski looms large, having kicked 30 goals in the reserve’s competition this season. It will be a fascinating battle between her and captain Chetcuci as that appears the most likely matchup.
Chelsea McDermott and Sunday Stoney have been brilliant all season long for Collegians and will need to be watched closely on Saturday. The last time the two teams met, it was a difficult game for Coburg, going down by a considerable margin but they will be excited to put forward a much better showing on Saturday.
To all the Coburg fans out there, make sure to get down to Harry Trott Oval in St Kilda to support the girls as they look to take it right up to Collegians. The action starts from 11:40am with the Premier Reserves side taking centre stage, followed by the senior women’s match from 2pm.
