SENIOR WOMEN’S: ROUND 1 WRAP
Round 1 of the St Vincent’s Private Hospital Werribee Senior Women’s competition kicked off over the weekend, and despite it being autumn the matchups were blessed with true winter conditions — wet, wild and windy — often all four seasons in one game.
Plenty was on offer across the fixture with new teams make debuting, players hitting the scoreboard in new colours, a dominant Spurs outfit achieve finals retribution, and the Roosters and Sharks finally saw a winner.
Werribee Centrals def Laverton
Werribee Centrals opened the season with a Friday night hit out against newly reformed Laverton at Galvin Park. Whilst the rain came in sideways and the temperature dropped to uncomfortably cool areas, the fledgling Magpies made a statement, challenging the Centurions with their physicality at the contest.
After an even first half that saw the home side maintain a slight lead, the Centrals put their foot down in the third quarter but were made to work hard in the final minutes to keep that advantage against an attacking Laverton side.
At the final siren, Werribee Centrals celebrated a 10-point win, thanks to some great intercept marking in defence from Meghann Basto, and the run and carry of Paige Cook (two goals).
For Laverton, Sina Mason was imposing at stoppages, hitting the scoreboard with two majors, along with Maddison Das (one goal) and Summer Farley (one goal) who were also named amongst the best.
Point Cook Centrals def by West Footscray
It was a windy day at Windorah Way Reserve on Saturday morning, but after two consecutive draws last year all four premiership points were finally claimed in the match between Point Cook Centrals and West Footscray, the Roosters running out 41-point victors.
A goal from the boot of returning player Carly Eeles opened the scoring for West Footscray in the first quarter, and the Roosters continued to build their lead until the final siren. Julia McPhee had a cracking game on the wing, whilst Roosters teammate Kaila Ducret was calm under pressure inside the defensive 50.
Nya Chol was easily Point Cook Centrals’ best for the day and was supported well by the efforts of fellow Sharks Illeana Crowe and Jennifer Hedjes.
North Footscray def by Caroline Springs
On their home turf at Hansen Reserve, North Footscray were brave in the face of what will arguably be their toughest opponent this season — matching up against Caroline Springs — with the visiting side choosing to field a number of their senior players due to a first-round bye in the EDFL Women’s Premier Division competition. The Lakers demolished the Devils, who were playing their maiden WFNL outing,
Sharni Currie debuted her new colours and kicked eight majors for the Lakers, while Dijana Vasilevska (six goals) and Ebony Stevens (five goals) were also major contributors in a 38-goal performance.
The Devils were led by the efforts of Dannielle Menzies and Amy Duggan across all four quarters, with both players named in best for their side.
Yarraville Seddon def by Parkside
At Yarraville Oval, a Preliminary Finals rematch between Yarraville Seddon and Parkside saw the Spurs right the wrongs of their finals defeat in 2025, claiming a huge 97-point win.
Parkside were rewarded by the efforts of nine individual goal scorers, including four majors from crafty forward Aleisha Casley, who made her seamless return to footy after a year off.
Conversely, the Eagles had six debutants, all performing well, with second year player Kira Dawson nabbing their only goal for the day.
Wyndhamvale def Suns
The final match for the weekend saw Wyndhamvale go head-to-head with Suns, in conditions mirroring those of the opening game on Friday night.
A closely contested game that weathered all four seasons (and a rogue goose), the match finished with the Falcons narrowly edge out a tough Suns outfit by 11 points.
Jessica Spall and Larissa Renaut debuted for Wyndhamvale after coming across from Werribee Centrals in the offseason, paying dividends with plenty of possession and three goals between them.
The Falcon’s best included Chloe Prior, who worked hard around the ground, along with Harper Sell in the middle. Suns Zoe Court, Matilda Brown and Emily Allan were all influential, earning time in best for their side.