By Connor Burns
Women’s Premier Division: Coburg Lions v Old Yarra Cobras @Piranha Park 2pm
The girls are coming off a heavy 48-point loss at the hands of Melbourne University last weekend and will be as keen as ever to respond well. With just two games left in the season, Coburg are excited to finish the season well and pick up a victory against the ninth placed Old Yarra Cobras this weekend.
They played against the Cobras back in Round nine and were able to secure a great 40-point win away from home. It was a performance that the team will be looking to replicate again come this Saturday afternoon. In the team’s last meeting former AFL player and veteran Sarah Jolly was instrumental for the Lions, while Julia McArdle, Amy Duguid, Georgia Sampson, Mia D’Agostino and Malaya Rodezno were all great performers on the day.
The Cobras have several VFLW listed players but unfortunately haven’t had their services for much of the season due to their commitments with their VFL clubs. With the VFLW season rapping up in recent weeks Old Yarra are likely to have players of the quality of Mia Haas (Darebin Flacons), Hannah Fosbrooke (Collingwood), (Mikayla Plunkett (Williamstown) and Natasha Phipps (Carlton) back in their side.
If Old Yarra have some of these inclusions, they will pose a different threat to what they have for much of the season and the Lions will need to be at their best. One of the other main focuses for the Lions will be trying to kerb the influence of imposing key forward Cecilia Baldassarre, who has booted 21 goals so far this season.
Coburg’s leaders will need to step up if the girls are to come away with four points and will look towards players like the experienced Sarah Jolly who starred in their earlier season fixture. Co-captains Claire Cashman and Amy Duguid will also be very important and are classy and experienced players. Forward Georgia Sampson always looms large as a key component of their offensive potency.
Last time they met: Round 9 at Doncaster Reserve
Coburg 10.12 (72) def Old Yarra Cobras 5.2 (32)
Coburg
Goalkickers: S. Jolly 3, G. Sampson 2, S. Filbay, J. Laffey, J. McArdle, K. Minchin, B. Whyte
Best Players: S. Jolly, J. McArdle, A. Duguid, G. Sampson, M. D’Agostino, M. Rodezno
Old Yarra
Goalkickers: C. Baldassarre 2, K. Answerth, A. Murray, N. Phipps
Best Players: E. Lee, M. Haas, E. Buckley, C. Moody, N. Phipps, P. Chisholm
Women’s Premier Reserves Division: Coburg v Old Yarra Cobras @Piranha Park 11:40am
The reserves enter this week’s clash keen to get back out on the field after they were forced into forfeiting last week against Melbourne Uni. This game looks set to be a close one with Coburg and Old Yarra sitting seventh and eighth on the ladder respectively.
Their last meeting back in round nine was an absolute thriller as both teams split the points after not being able to be separated on the scoreboard after the four quarters of play. The last time the sides went head-to-head it was Cambel Rowland, Abigail Adams and vice-captain Lisa Halfpenny who stood tall and were all strong contributors on the day.
Tegan Murphy, vice-captain Ella Menzies, Lily Primerano have all frequently featured among the best players and are barometers for Coburg. These players among a few other experienced players will be crucial to the Lions chances of getting their fifth win of the season on Saturday.
For the Cobras the charge will be led by captain Sonyna San who has had a brilliant season, while Jacqui Morton, Alana Jevric, Rachel Powell and Gippsland Power youngster Hayley Kamphuis are all players that can hurt theopposition and have a strong impact on the game.
Last time they met: Round 9 at Doncaster Reserve
Coburg 4.5 (29) drew Old Yarra Cobras 4.5 (29)
Coburg
Goalkickers: L. Halfpenny, P. Hill, A. Ibrahim, J. Riddoch
Best Players: C. Rowland, A. Adams, L. Halfpenny, L. Primerano, A. Ibrahim, N. Todaro
Old Yarra
Goalkickers: S. Finch, A. Jones, L. McHenry, A. Witney
Best Players: L. McHenry, B. Lawrence, Sahra-Jayne Cox, Shayla Cleverly, H. Kamphuis, A. Witney
Make sure you get down to the Fish tank to cheer on the girls as they look for long-awaited victories in both divisions. The action kicks off at 11:40am with the Women’s Reserves followed by the seniors playing at 2pm.
