VWFL Premier Division preview 2010
Berwick: 6th in 2009
Coach: Norm Berry
Captain: TBA
Comments: The Berwick team are a very proud club who have been very successful since joining the VWFL. The Berwick teams will field seniors and reserves for the
first time in 2010 and have a good relationship with the Youth Girls teams in the area. With some excellent young players coming through to senior ranks, expect to
see continued improvement from the Wickers in 2010 and beyond.
Darebin: Premiers in 2009
Coach: Peta Searle
Captain: Anna McIlroy & Daisy Pearce
Comments: The Darebin Falcons are the most successful team in VWFL history. The Falcons haven’t lost a game since the 2006 semi finals and their 2009 premiership
was their 4 th flag in a row.
While the Falcons have lost hard as nails backman Roi Boutsikakis to retirement they have been boosted through the recruiting coup of the century. Melbourne Uni’s
2009 Captain Kristen Douglas and 2009 B&F winner Natalie Wood will wear the Falcons colours in 2010, both are quality players
Diamond Creek: Runner up in 2009
Coach: Neil Staples
Captain: Bianca Richmond
Comments: The Creekers took all before them in 2009 to finish second at the end of the home and away season. After going down to Darebin in the first final they
bounced back with a strong win over Melbourne Uni. Darebin were too good in the GF but just like Carlton’s 2009 slogan, the Creekers are coming. Expect them to
continue to improve and be there abouts on that one day in August.
East Burwood; 6th in 2009
Coach: Leeann Gill
Captain: Lou Wotton
Comments: Leeann Gill took on the coaching job in 2009 and has worked hard on improving the Devils fitness and introducing her game plan. 2009 was a year spent
building and developing, expect to see a fait bit of improvement in 2010. The Devils will be led by Lou Wotton and have recruited Sarah D’Arcy from Yarra Valley.
D’Arcy who is distantly related to Richmond legend Jack Skinny Titus is a rising star with a big future. The Devils boost some very good players including Meg Hutchins
and Meg Downie and should be much improved in 2010.
Melbourne Uni: 3rd in 2009
Coach: Adam Rieusset & Lisa Hardeman
Captain: TBA
Comments: The Mugars are always there abouts and 2010 will be no different. They lost their 2009 Captain Douglas and their 2009 B&F Wood to arch rival Darebin over
summer but they have recruited Victorian u18 Captain Alicia Eva and along with a number of promising young players the future looks bright for Melbourne.
St Kilda Sharks: 7th in 2009
Coach: Roy McCusker
Captain: Jenny Male
Comments: The Sharks 2009 season was one they would rather forget but 2010 promises to be much better. Coach Roy McCusker who played was on St Kilda’s list during
their only premiership year in 1966 has a set game plan and is teaching the girls how to play the game. The Captain jenny Male is a fierce competitor with enormous
determination who give 110% week in week out for her club. There is plenty of talent in this team and a spot in the finals could be within reach if this team can gel
together under McCusker.
Scoresby Magpies: South East premiers in 2009, promoted to Premier division
Coach: Peter Smith
Captain: Chris Diciero
Comments: Scoresby won two flags in a row in the South East division under coach Peter Smith earning them promotion to the Premier division in 2010. The club will
field both a senior and a reserves team in 2010 and are sure to have a crack. Don’t be surprised to see Scoresby develop into a power house in years to come.
VU St Albans: 4th in 2009
Coach: Pauline Cook
Captain: Belinda Miggiani
Comments: The Spurs finished 2009 in disappointing fashion crashing out in a low scoring semi final against Melbourne Uni in a game the Spurs were tipped to win.
In 2010 they will be without Captain courageous Shannon Mcferran who is missing after surgery for a serious health issue. Coach Pauline Cook and VWFL legend Debbie
Lee will be doing all they can to educate and develop a team that promises a lot. The Spurs who have won just the one flag in a history littered with finals campaigns
should be top four in 2010 but can they improve on 2009?
VWFL Competition Structure for 2010
| Premier Division | |
| Seniors | Reserves |
| Berwick Wickers | Berwick Wickers |
| Darebin Falcons | Darebin Falcons |
| Diamond Creek Demons | Diamond Creek Demons |
| East Burwood Devils | East Burwood Devils |
| Melbourne Uni Mugars | Melbourne Uni Mugars |
| Scoresby Magpies | Scoresby Magpies |
| St Kilda Sharks | St Kilda Sharks |
| VU St Albans Spurs | VU St Albans Spurs |
| North West & South East Divisions | |
| North West | South East |
| Bell Post Hill Panthers | |
| Braybrook Bombers | Gembrook Cockatoo |
| La Trobe Uni | Hallam |
| Lalor Park Stars | Keysborough Burra’s |
| Melton Centrals | Parkdale Vultures |
| North Ballarat Eagles | South Mornington Tigerettes |
| Sunbury Lions | St John’s Old Collegians |
Premier Division is the highest level of women’s football in Victoria. The Darebin Falcons have won the last 4 premierships in a row and are a powerhouse in the competition. They have not been defeated since the 2006 semi finals. Diamond Creek were genuine challengers in 2009, they played against Darebin in the GF and they are expected to challenge again in 2010. The Creekers are a young fast team who took Premier Division by storm in 2009. In a big off season move the 2009 Melbourne Uni Captain Kristen Douglas and the Melb Uni 2009 B&F winner Natalie Wood have cleared to Darebin and are Falcons in 2010. All Premier Division teams look to be competitive in 2010. Round 1 of Premier Division is on 18 April 2010.
The North West and South East competition started on Sunday 11 April 2010. In the North West Division Sunbury are the reigning premiers beating Lalor in 2009. Lalor are on the up as are North Ballarat who were very strong in 2009 but crashed out in straight sets in the finals. In the South East Division Scoresby won the 2008 and 2009 flag and have been promoted to premier Division in 2010. South Mornington & Parkdale should challenge in 2010, Keysborough are on the up after a massive recruiting drive and Gembrook join the competition for the first time in 2010.
VWFL – General Info
The VWFL was established in 1981 with 4 teams. In 2010 there are 29 teams and approx 1000 players competing across three divisions. Underpinning this is a Youth Girls competition run by AFL Victoria for girls aged 13 to 17 years. This competition commenced in 2004 with 6 teams and 122 players competing in one division. In 2010 there will be 43 teams with 900+ players competing across seven competitions. There will also be over 800 girls playing junior footy with boys in junior competitions across Victoria in 2010. Demand for girls and women to play the game has never been higher.
The VWFL is proudly supported by businesswoman Susan Alberti who is a board member at the Western Bulldogs. Sue is the VWFL’s major sponsor and a wonderful partner. The VWFL also has a very productive partnership with the Melbourne Football club. Victoria are the reigning champions at the AFL National Women’s Championships and are undefeated in state of origin football. The national championships are played every two years with most states and territories competing.
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