SEASON PREVIEW: ST VINCENT’S PRIVATE HOSPITAL WERRIBEE SENIOR WOMEN

With the St Vincent’s Private Hospital Werribee Senior Women’s competition just days away from kicking off, Kel Rowe sat down with some of the players at our recent Media Day to chat all things pre-season buzz and the excitement of the year to come.

Point Cook Centrals v Werribee Centrals
Saturday 5th April, Windorah Way Reserve | 8:30am

Fresh off the back of their inaugural premiership, Werribee Centrals stars Jessie Spall and Meghann Basto acknowledged the hard-earned success of their 2024 season, but have their sights set on the future. “The energy is still there, it’s always a good vibe with the girls, but we also want to leave that in the past and just try to focus on this year — it’s a totally new year,” Basto said.

Spall, who also collected the league’s best-and-fairest alongside Akima Manoah in 2024, has been impressed with the quality of the Centurions’ junior girls who are now making the jump into the senior program. “We’ve got a lot of younger players…they take on everything and the voice is incredible.” Basto shared the same sentiment, noting “we’ve really tried to focus on keeping the junior program solid and the numbers coming through, because we know how that filters into our senior team and how beneficial it can be for us.”

Whilst they are hungry to match up against 2024 Grand Final rivals Caroline Springs, the Centurions are keen to see what improvements have been gained across the competition – “We are excited to play everyone and see where everyone is at.”

Meanwhile, it’s a brand-new era for Point Cook Centrals, who will field a team again in 2025 after a one-season hiatus for their Senior Women’s program. The club announced Wayne Davis as the head coach earlier in the year, with support from AFLW stars Laura Elliot and Mia Van Dyke.

It will be a tough ask to go up against last year’s premiers in Round 1, but this team of fresh faces couldn’t ask for a better benchmark to start the competition.

West Footscray v North Sunshine,
Saturday 5th April, Skinner Reserve | 10:30am

West Footscray have a new home in 2025, and it’s added plenty to the run and carry style of play that the Bokkers are known for. The green expanse of Skinner Reserve will be the backdrop for their campaign this season, and Bokkers Emily Craig and Layla Dawkins couldn’t be more pleased.

“We’ve had good vibes in preseason, everyone is hyped and ready to go,” the two said. When asked who has really impressed her on the track, Craig was quick to name new recruit Zara Harnden – “she’s fast and fierce” and returning player Julia McPhee – “so committed on the track, can’t wait to see her season this year” – as her standouts.

Despite formally hanging up his whistle at the close of 2024, Shane Windridge has also returned to guide the team this season. Craig is keen for the group to crack in together, particularly against their suburban rivals  Yarraville Seddon. But first, the Road Runners are calling.

Over at Dempster Park, a new look leadership group, a new coach and a solid off-season recruitment drive promises a strong start for North Sunshine. Tamara Roach and Chloe Symons were on hand to talk up the group, with Symons just one of many new recruits this season.

“Everyone has been having fun, there are a lot of new girls, so we’ve been learning how each other plays,” Symons said. The young gun, who played her junior footy at Lara, is excited to run out alongside long-time Road Runner Anne-Maree Innocenti and returning mum Ikesha Alexander.

Roach is looking forward to the Round 1 match-up with West Footscray, but concedes it will be an interesting one, with former North stalwart Jess Mudie crossing over to Bokkers in the off-season. “It’s always West Footscray, but it’s going to be extra fun to meet them in Round 1,” Roach laughed.

Caroline Springs vs Yarraville Seddon
Saturday 5th April, Caroline Springs Recreation Reserve | 10:30am

EDFL Reserves: Caroline Springs vs Yarraville Seddon – Saturday 5th April, Caroline Springs Recreation Reserve | 5:05pm

A heartbreaking loss to Werribee Central in the 2024 Senior Women’s Grand Final has been driving the women of Caroline Springs, including stars Ash Wallis and Taya Meiers. “It’s made us stronger — we’ve all come in guns blazing, had good numbers at training and are really just working hard and focusing on what we want,” Wallis said.

The side has continued to build their playing stocks by strengthening their bond with Wanderers in the NTFL. The off-season saw a number of Lakers travel North to hone their skills in the top end. This, coupled with a thriving junior pathway, has seen the club field two sides in 2025 (their second team a Reserves side in the EDFL) — which both Wallis and Meiers agree has been great motivation, particularly for the younger members of their playing group.

“It’s good for our development, obviously having so many juniors they can come up and push for the Seniors and Reserves sides and just be exposed to the senior level of footy,” Wallis said of the growth.

As for who is in their sights in the fixture, despite it being an obvious choice, the teammates are keen to face off against archrivals Werribee Centrals. “It would hurt, but its competition for us, it’s what we need,” reflected Meiers. “It makes us better each game we play them.”

Season 2025 is all about growth and hard work, according to Yarraville Seddon Eagles Rachel Culvenor and Ruby Cashman.

“We have two teams this year (a Reserves side in the EDFL), so we’ve seen lots of new players come down — all turning up and working hard,” Culvenor said. Cashman agrees, “It’s been a lovely vibe and this year we’ve had a change in leadership that’s brought a fresh perspective and fresh energy to the club.”

This year, like their Round 1 opponents, the Eagles will field a Reserves side in the EDFL. “I think that having two teams will make it more competitive,” Cashman reflected, with Culvenor adding that “everyone will be working hard to earn their spot.”

The Eagles are keen to match up against Parkside and Suns in 2025, enjoying the contested, hard-at-the-ball brand of footy each side plays. But for now, they are ready to take on the Lakers away, this Saturday.

Suns v Wyndhamvale
Saturday 5th April, Goddard Street Reserve | 12:00pm 

The sun is still shining over Goddard Street Reserve, according to Senior Women’s Suns players Kaitlyn Galea and Emma Bonanno. After their first year in brand new club colours, the two teammates are keen for another crack after a positive preseason.

“It’s been very good, we’ve had a lot of new girls coming down, a lot of Under 18s as well,” Bonanno said. “It also shows a lot about how we did last year — who we are as a football team, and what we stand for,” reflected Galea.

In particular, both have been impressed by the off-season efforts of powerful forward Sharni Currie, who Galea says has really levelled up. “She’s worked so hard on her fitness and herself, and her love for the game has really come back. She’s got a real fire under her this season.”

Whilst they aren’t too fussed about who they meet across the season, the first opportunity to see Currie and the rest of the group in action comes this weekend, against  Wyndhamvale.

Meanwhile, the Falcons are up and about to start the season, with teammates Angel Noone and Ava Strathairn pumped for new and returning faces, and to have Craig Prior back in the driver’s seat as Senior Women’s Coach for 2025.

“Our sessions have been incredible, we’ve had so many numbers at training,” Noone said. “And it’s good to have Craig back.”

With plenty of new players on the track, Strathairn says that early practice matches have helped the group get a sense of their form, and what they need to work on. “It was helpful to see where we are at right now, and we have heaps of potential,” she said. Noone seconds that – “now that we know what we need to focus on, it’s been really good.”

They start their 2025 campaign with the Suns, but Noone and Strathairn are already looking forward to their Round 6 match up against old WFNL foes West Footscray. “West Footscray, it’s such a great rivalry, it’s always a good, hard game,” Noone said.

Parkside Spurs – BYE

The Spurs will have viewer’s choice this weekend, with a fixtured bye in Round 1 of the season. Speaking with midfield machines Rita Ceravolo and Natalie Pearce, the two agreed that last year’s Preliminary Final loss has set the tone for preseason in 2025.

“We are hungry for more, everyone is back and ready to go,” Pearce said. The team — known for their footy IQ and ability to execute a clutch win — has had some fresh faces join the mix, boosting playing numbers. Ceravolo noted the new rules, including 16-players on-field (down from 18, in-line with AFLW rules) will help fill a few previously empty spots on the bench.

When asked who they were looking forward to most in the fixture, both Pearce and Ceravolo agreed that the side had Werribee in their sights. “We want a rematch, it was a bit of a battle,” Cervolo laughed when recalling their encounter in 2024; with Pearce adding, “We love being the underdog, so back us in and we’ll put as much effort in as anyone.”

The St Vincent’s Private Hospital Werribee Senior Women’s competition starts this Saturday — don’t miss it.

View the full fixture and scores HERE