By Nick Creely
There will be plenty of local talent on display for the Casey Demons in the 2018 VFL Women’s competition, with the Dees set to kick off its season on Sunday 13 May against Hawthorn.
As one of many new sides in the competition, there will be a certain expectation for the Demons this season after disbanding from Cranbourne, with the alignment with the Melbourne AFL Women’s side set to have the club in a strong position for a tilt at a premiership.
Cranbourne players Ruby Clayton, Amanda McDonough, Bianca Jakobsson, Marlee Tatham, Alicia Johnson, Georgia Gourlay, Naomi Fullwood and Darcy Guttridge have made the Demons’ list, while Dandenong Stingrays pair Sophie Phillips and Jordyn Allen, as well as Beaconsfield’s Brooke Stuylaart will also get their chances throughout the season.
The Demons were rocked in the pre-season by the sudden departure of coach Colin Garland, a 141 game AFL veteran for Melbourne, and are yet to announce their replacement only days out from their season opener against the Hawks at Casey Fields on Sunday morning.
In some changes to the list structures for 2018, clubs have lists of 40 players, plus up to three rookies from diverse backgrounds. There is a limit of just 12 AFLW listed players per side each round, and clubs have the opportunity to update their lists in the early parts of the season, in accordance with changes to AFLW lists, such as delisting of players, free agency and trades.
Looking ahead to the other 12 clubs in a new look competition, Beaconsfield group Breann Moody, Celine Moody, Genevieve Green and Tyla Hanks will turn out for Carlton, while former Cranbourne player Kim Cunico is on the Blues’ list after a highly impressive 2017 season with the Eagles.
Talented Cranbourne youngster Holly Whitford will feature heavily for Collingwood this season, while AFLW premiership players and local stars Kirsten McLeod, Ellie Blackburn and Gazette reporter Hayley Wildes will look to replicate their success with the Western Bulldogs.
The Southern Saints – aligned with the St Kilda Football Club and heavily involved with the Bayside and Mornington Peninsula areas – have five Cranbourne players on the list, with Alison Drennan, Kelly Thompson, Leah Olsen, Kayla Ripari and Stephanie Binder all named for the Saints.
Cranbourne’s Sharni Dixon is also on Williamstown’s list, with the Gippsland product a highly talented inclusion for the Seagulls.
In what is set to be a highly fascinating season with the likes of the Demons, Richmond, Western Bulldogs and NT Thunder the teams to look out for, there is no shortage of local stars to keep an eye on in 2018.
