By Connor Burns
The Coburg women’s sides will round out their seasons this Saturday, taking on St Kevin’s at home. Both the Lions senior and reserve teams are coming off great wins, their fourth and fifth of the year respectively.
Despite being wasteful in front of goal, kicking 2.11, the senior women were able to take home a 12-point victory while the reserves secured a 20-point win, both against the Old Yarra Cobras.
Women’s Premier Division: Coburg Lions v St Kevin’s @Piranha Park 2pm
The girls will face a really difficult task to round out their season as they take on the second placed St Kevin’s. ‘Skevs’ are coming off their first loss of the season against ladder-leaders Old Scotch and will be keen to respond well this weekend.
As mentioned earlier, the Lions had a great win and will be looking to carry momentum into Saturday’s game and round out the year playing good football. Elaina Domagala, Kiana Minchin, Sarah Jolly and Claire Cashman were all brilliant against the Cobras and will be crucial to helping the Lions play some fast and exciting footy against St Kevin’s.
St Kevin’s will be tough to stop with more offensive threats than any other side across the entirety of the women’s competitions in the VAFA. Their top five goalkickers have kicked a total of 98 goals, headlined by Hannah Smith with 27 goals and Kate Stanton with 21.
They also have multiple VFLW players like Annabelle Embelton (Box Hill Hawks), London Ashcroft (Western Bulldogs), Emily Eaves (Williamstown), that will make things tough for the Lions.
Last time they met: Round 8 at Righetti Oval, Kooyong
St Kevin’s 8.9 (57) def Coburg 5.0 (30)
Coburg
Goalkickers: S. Jolly 2, S. Filbay, D. Rowland, G. Sampson
Best Players: S. Bennett, G. Sampson, C. Cashman, D. Rowland, K. Minchin, S. Filbay
St Kevin’s
Goalkickers: H. Kenealy 3, M. Beaconsfield, S. Cameron, J. Joyce, H. Smith, A. Summers
Best Players: T. Cattle, L. Davies, A. Summers, M. Beaconsfield, H. Kenealy, B. Perry
Women’s Premier Reserve Division: Coburg Lions v St Kevin’s @Piranha Park 11:40am
The girls are coming off a strong 20-point win against Old Yarra and will be looking for back-to-back wins on Saturday against St Kevin’s. They will be up for a bit of a challenge though with St Kevin’s sitting fifth on the ladder with a 10-7 record.
St Kevin’s went down by 38 points against the third placed Old Scotch last weekend and will be looking to finish their season on a high after narrowly missing out on a top four finals spot.
For the Lions, Tegan Murphy, Abigail Adams, Morgan McNally and vice-captain Ella Menzies are coming off brilliant individual performances which helped Coburg get over the line last week. Those players will need to be at their very best, and an even team performance across the field is required if Coburg are to have an upset victory over St Kevin’s to round out the season. Menzies will also play her 50th game for the club in what is a fantastic achievement and the girls will certainly have some extra motivation to knock off St Kevin’s this weekend because of it.
St Kevin’s Bethany Carr (15 goals), Steph Taylor (14 goals) and Alice Straford (12 goals) are sure to be dangerous offensive threats that the Lions will have to curb. Asha Turner-Funk (Carlton VFLW) has also been impressive since returning from VFLW duties in the last few rounds.
Last time they met: Coburg Lions v St Kevin’s at Righetti Oval, Kooyong
St Kevin’s 12.8 (80) def Coburg 2.3 (15)
Coburg
Goalkickers: E. Bourke, J. McArdle
Best Players: L. Prowse-McKeown, C. Sheats, M. McNally, S. Griffin, T. Chetcuci, M. Rodezno
St Kevin’s
Goalkickers: A. Straford 3, B. Carr 2, S. Taylor 2, D. Garcia, I. Hoal, M. Howard, J. Mounas, G. Nolan
Best Players: G. Nolan, C. Waller, D. Garcia, L. Bancovich, A. Straford, S. Vallejo
Get down to Piranha Park on Saturday to support the girls as they look to end their 2024 campaign in style. The reserves start at 11:40am, followed by the seniors playing at 2pm.
