The only teams that appear out of finals contention are Harrow-Balmoral, Taylors Lake, Natimuk United and Pimpinio, which sit eighth to 11th respectively, but even then there is no clear-cut wooden spoon contender, as there was last year when the Roos went winless.
Every team has recorded at least one win in 2024, and only seven percentage points separate the bottom four sides.
Laharum is a deserving premiership favourite and has not put a foot wrong after last season’s grand final defeat.
The Demons are the league’s highest-scoring team, and are equal with Noradjuha-Quantong for its stingiest defence.
Caitlin Jones-Story tops the league scoring table, with goal attack Maddie Iredell in sixth place, while Ema Iredell, Rebecca McIntyre and Keely Elliott control the defensive end of the court and captain Liv Jones-Story roams the midcourt.
While the Demons have been the league’s pacesetters in 2024, narrow three-goal and two-goal wins against Noradjuha-Quantong and Edenhope-Apsley, respectively, show they are not unbeatable.
The Bombers are also laden with veteran talent, with goal shooter Shannon Couch in third place on the scoring table, while Yolanda Molineaux and Brooke Pay form a formidable defensive tandem and young centre Holly Nuske has shone after crossing from the Wimmera league’s Horsham Demons.
Rupanyup has coalesced well under new coach Jedda Heard, who has teamed with Victoria Taylor to form a strong defensive end, while goalies Zanaiya Bergen and Maddi Morgan give midcourters Meg Cashin and Ally Hiscock a pair of potent targets in attack.
Kalkee rounds out the top group of contenders and is the only team to have beaten Rupanyup this season.
Defence has been the Kees’ calling card, with the team allowing only one more goal per contest than Laharum and Noradjuha-Quantong, thanks to the efforts of Clair McDonald and Penny Fisher.
Other prominent players this season include Swifts midcourt pair Lisa Monaghan and Isabella Robson, Edenhope-Apsley goal attack Lavinia Fox, Kaniva-Leeor United micourter Zoe Hawker, Harrow-Balmoral defender Megan Little and centre Febey McClure, Taylors Lake co-captains Tayla Eltze and Kayla Kelm, Natimuk United’s Emily Hateley and Pimpinio defenders Holly Ross and Steph Runciman.
The season will resume on Saturday with Laharum away to Swifts, Edenhope-Aplsey hosting Pimpinio, Noradjuha-Quantong at home to Kaniva-Leeor United, Harrow-Balmoral welcoming Kalkee and Rupyanyup travelling to Natimuk, while Taylors Lake has a bye.
– Colin MacGillivray
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