By Connor Burns
Women’s Premier Division: Coburg Lions v Monash Blues at Piranha Park @2pm
The Lions suffered a tough defeat to a strong Collegians side last week but enter this clash with a good opportunity to come away with a win. The girls have battled bravely through the last month, playing some of the very best sides in the Women’s Premier competition.
The last time the Lions took on Monash, they produced their best performance of the season in a dominant 54-point win away from home. On that day Georgia Sampson and Sarah Jolly were particularly dominant, kicking four and three goals respectively to tear the Blues to shreds.
Sheridan Bennett, Dallas Rowland, Bronte Whyte and Grace Painting were also impressive and will all be big players in Saturday’s game. Captains Claire Cashman and Any Duguid are absolute stars and experienced players that always stand up, while the addition of Ella Dyson from the VFLW competition has been important.
For Monash it was captain Alicia Myers and vice-captain Chloe Gibson who were important for their team last time around, and will need to be watched closely. Brook Thompson, Anna Purtill and Lara Sirianni has also regularly been among Monash’s best players and are all important players for the Blues if they are to pull off an upset victory.
Last time they met: Round 7 at Frearson Oval, Clayton (Monash University)
Coburg: 10.8 (68) def Monash Blues 2.2 (14)
Coburg
Goalkickers: G. Sampson 4, S. Jolly 3, J. Laffey 2, M. O’Connell
Best Players: G. Sampson, S. Bennett, S. Jolly, D. Rowland, B. Whyte, G. Painting
Monash
Goalkickers: C. Gibson, C. Konstanty
Best Players: C. Gibson, E. Grills, B. Thompson, M. Kirby, A. Myers, S. Lock
Women’s Premier Reserves Division: Coburg Lions v Monash Blues at Piranha Park @11:40am
The Lions reserves also suffered a bad loss last week at the hands of Collegians but enter this week’s clash with a renewed sense of optimism and hope. The girls have also played some strong teams recently and struggled with player availability, as injury and unavailability have taken hold of the team.
In saying all that, they stand a good chance this Saturday morning at the fish tank. The girls take on Monash, a team that they marginally lost to last time the sides played back in round seven. They are a massive chance this weekend and will hope to get a lot of support from the Coburg faithful in their quest to get back on the winner’s list.
Back in round seven, it was Kristen Peake who looked dangerous forward of the footy, kicking two goals. Cleo Bigwood, Paige Hill, and vice-captain Ella Menzies also kicked a goal each in the tight loss.
Fellow vice-captain Lisa Halfpenny, Alesha Ibrahim, captain Tara Chetcuci and Menzies have been very solid players this season and will all feature strongly in the club’s best and fairest at the end of the season. They will need those girls to be at their best again on Saturday if they are to snatch victory off Monash, as well as an even team performance across the board.
For Monash Molly McFarlane and Zoe O’Connor looked threatening up forward in the team’s last meeting, kicking two goals each. Chetcuci and co will need to be on the ball down back to shut down the Blues dangerous attacking options. Charlotte Newman, Eliza Millen and Leticia Phillips have been among Monash’s best performing players this season and are players to watch out for this weekend.
Last time they met: Round 7 at Frearson Oval, Clayton (Monash University)
Monash Blues 5.8 (38) def Coburg 5.1 (31)
Monash
Goalkickers: M. McFarlane 2, Z. O’Connor 2, A. Calcatjicos
Best Players: Z. O’Connor. L. Phillips, C. Newman, E. Millen, A. Calcatjicos, G. Perry
Coburg
Goalkickers: K. Peake 2, C. Bigwood, P. Hill, E. Menzies
Best Players: E. Menzies, L. Halfpenny, P. Hill, Amber Paton, M. Arob, T. Murphy
Get down to the fish tank to cheer on both sides, the girls have a good chance to pick up a few wins and will look to play some exciting footy this weekend. Show your support in these last few weeks as the girls look to round out their seasons in style. The action kicks off from 11:40am at Piranha Park with the reserves women followed by the seniors at 2pm.
