Justin Flynn takes a look at the run home for the Epworth Cup Division 1 women’s footy.
GEELONG AMATEUR
1st 9-1 78.69%
Should win its remaining four games and finish on top of the ladder. Ammos face a tough one against Thomson in round 13 and St Joseph’s in the final round won’t be easy. Young gun Lillee Barendsen, just days away from her 20th birthday and also a talented cricketer, has had a heck of a season with 36 goals and hasn’t been held goalless all season.
ST MARY’S
2nd 9-1 73.33%
The Saints have a tough run home with St Joseph’s (5th), Lara (6th), Thomson (3rd) and Grovedale (4th) still to come. Brydi Lewis is averaging three goals a game for 24 for the season with a haul of seven and three bags of four. Zippy small forward Bella Gilham has been terrific with 22 goals.
THOMSON
3rd 8-2 75.73%
Should account for Barwon Heads this week and then a blockbuster against Ammos awaits. The Tigers then face 2nd-placed St Mary’s before rounding off the season against Torquay. They’ll make finals, but whether they can snare a top two spot is the real question. Emily Kenshole is breathing down Barendsen’s neck for the leading goalkicker award with 31.
GROVEDALE
4th 8-3 79.06
Guaranteed four points with a round 14 bye and with a healthy percentage, the Tigers could be the league’s surprise packet come August. Should beat Lara and Anglesea before meeting St Mary’s in the final round.
ST JOSEPH’S
5th 4-6 38.57
Joeys won’t make finals, but they could shape the final four. They meet St Mary’s this week in a game the 2nd placed side won’t want to take lightly. The following game against Lara will likely determine which side finishes 5th.
LARA
6th 4-7 36.36%
With Grovedale and St Mary’s in the next two weeks and a bye in round 15, the Cats’ best chance of winning appears to be against Barwon Heads in the final round. However, they pushed Ammos to within 14 points in round 10 and are capable of an upset along the way. Kara Stacey has had a good season with 18 majors.
TORQUAY
7th 4-8 33.13
The Tigers have a bye this weekend, which means a guaranteed four points and then finish off with Joeys, Ammos and Thomson in a nightmare run home. The Tigers will be keen to cause an upset along the way and add to their four wins.
BARWON HEADS
8th 2-8 23.31%
Just need to beat Anglesea in round 14 to avoid the wooden spoon. Thomson this week is a tough ask as is Joeys the week after. The Seagulls finish off with a trip to Lara.
ANGLESEA
9th 0-11 10.79%
The best chance of a breakthrough win for the Seas is in round 14 against the Heads. This week they face top team Ammos and Grovedale in round 15 is a tough assignment. That’s where the season finishes for them, though with a bye in the final round.
