The Women’s SL1 competition looks set for another big year. In complete contrast to the mens competition of 2007, WSL1 saw 4 teams streak ahead from the outset, with the fourth positioned team 12 points clear of 5th at the end of round 18. As always, the start of the new season brings new challenges to each and every club…and by a tried and true scientific method that we can not disclose to the public, Ben & Ballza have come up with the following thoughts about Season 2008.
Waverley will be looking to defend their premiership after beating MCC in a rather one-sided grand final last year. With Hockeyroo Renee Trost most likely missing for the majority of the year with International commitments, the Waverley girls will be extra reliant on their Viper stars, Leah Merrett, Stacia Joseph and captain Bec Eastman. With a strong attacking style, the girls will go into the year as one of the teams to beat. With an ageing list, and a mini baby-boom taking place, perhaps the Waverley girls will be coming to end the of an era in the next few years, but we think they’ve probably got one more solid tilt at it left…The Panthers will outclass all but Greensborough, MCC, Hawthorn & Altona.
MCC have seen substantial changes take place over the summer. With coach Graeme Chittenden pulling up stumps on the eve of the Grand Final last year and leaving the girls coach-less for the big game, the Dee’s head into the the year new coach Dan Coulson at the helm. Importantly, he appears to have galvanised the group and restored the ethos of “fun” that was so sorely missing from the girls in previous years with the constant barrage of abuse from Chitto on the sidelines. With Viper Bec Waley rumored to be leaving the club for Hawthorn, and captain Carla Bond away for the first 4 rounds of the season playing in the Netherlands, the responsibility will fall on the elder more experienced players in the group, Bec Snezkov, Steff Napolitano & Bec Dyball to harness the new blood at the club into a formidable line-up. The Dee’s may struggle a little this year, but should still make the four. Keep an ear out for an exorbitant amounts of Pommy accents on the field…
Greensborough with their young list continue to impress. After finishing minor premiers in ‘07 and winning the flag for the first time in the club’s history in ‘06, the girls from the bush will be in a similar position to the Waverley team with goal-keeper Rachael Lynch a chance to head to Beijing. If she’s lucky enough to be selected, ‘Borough’s main challenge will be to find a defence that can keep the ball out of their defensive 25 and away from the net. “Junior” saved the girls skins numerous times throughout last year, so with a new goalie in the net will see pressure mounting on the girls. Viper players Hana Peake & Stephanie Riordan coupled with an established midfield and dominating Centre-Half Tegan Riordan, combined FURTHER with an incredibly quick forward line will see the girls again go into the season as THE team to beat. The super-club of Greensborough, both in men and women’s looks assured to cement itself in 2008.
Hawthorn are always a strong unit provided all their players are fit and ready to take the field. With one of the older lists going around, the team will have to start blooding some new players in 2008 to continue their success at nailing a top 4 position. Again, Hockeyroo commitments will keep Rachel Imison out of their line-up for the best part of the year, but Emily White provides a better than decent backup in the net. Claire Messent is a chance for Beijing and as Hawthorn’s most potent striker may see a decline in goals scored for the 
Hawks. However, with young-gun Kary Chau ready to take the field fully fit, she holds the key to the success of the Hawthorn in our opinion.
Essendon Ladies are Essendon’s only SL1 team (with their men getting relegated last year) and will continue to blood a young list. Led by Viper co-captain and Hockeyroo Sarah O’Connor, the girls will have another tough year in ‘08 as they strive for the Top 4. This being said however, with Sue McGill roaring from the sidelines nothing is out of the question! Erica Trahar provides a rock of Gibralter in the defensive half, while super youngster and token rednut Georgia Nanscawen will continue to develop and stamp her authority up front. A young team that will view this year as a stepping stone to a 2009 Top 4 spot should see the Bombers have a very solid year.
Altona are another of the younger teams floating around in 2008, and with typical Altona determination and grit will pinch points off the more highly fancied teams throughout the year. Capable of dominating on a fast breakaway, the girls showed patches of brilliance throughout 07 which put to rest the rumours of easy beats. Danielle Shubach is the only Viper representative from the A’s playing in 2008, but with this young list and new coach Brendan Denning the girls should have a promising year and we wouldn’t be surprised if they make the Top 4.
Camberwell have had a funny few years showing moments of class but losing games against less fancied opposition. This year with the return of Jess Monkivitch as ‘The General’ in the middle, we should see a tougher more determined side come out in Blue & Tangerine. Her toughness both mentally and physically combined with a nice mix of experience and youth across the team sheet sees the girls poised as good as anyone, but they will have to dig deeper than they did last year to make sure they stay out of the relegation zone. Experienced Viper Jane Elzinga is crucial and former Hockeyroo Ngairie Smith will make a huge difference when available. However, with experienced defender Megan O’Connell taking the year off and with another new coach at the helm, the ‘Wellers have a big ask ahead of them.
TEM will continue to stabilise their position in the SL1 fold with a reformed attitude. With a very young list the girls may lack a little in skill, but make up for it in sheer fitness. A committed pre-season has seen the girls made into super-fit robots and with a teriffic attitude should pinch some points this year. A momentum driven team with a committed club behind them; if they get on a roll they could shake things up.
Doncaster come into 2008 as the new kids on the block. And by new…we mean new, and by kids we certainly mean kids. A very young squad, but with a whole lot of heart, the Donny girls will be competitive this year. After toppling an out of sorts MCC in the The Hockey Show Cup, the girls will feel confident that they can match it with the big boys (girls). With U/18 stars Emma Pearce, Hayley Padgit, and Sophie Peskett firing, they will be as good as anyone on their day. Ben & Ballza expect however, that Donny will be looking at 2008 as a consolidation year with experienced players Lisa Blake and Sally Cox holding the reigns.
Southern United join the SL1 crew desperately hungry to stay up. They will be up against it this year there is no doubt but crucial to their success is a never-say-die attitude. If they think they can do it, they’re half way there…that being said however, given that they wear one of the worst uniforms ever invented, they will need to fight like buggery to be a chance to stay up.
THE FINAL WORD
After much thought and mathematical calculation…Ben & Ballza have come up with these undeniable educationally sound thoughts:
Waverley, Greensborough and Hawthorn will comfortably make the 4, while MCC and Altona will battle for that 4th spot, but the Demons will sneak in there in the final few rounds. Essendon Ladies will be competitive and hold their own with a view for Top 4 in 2009, while TEM will do a enough damage and sneak their way into 7th spot. Doncaster will use youth to their advantage and pinch points while Camberwell will struggle and fail to capitalise on their list. Southern United will try, but ultimately fail.
Round 18 Ladder:
Greensborough
Waverley
Hawthorn
MCC
Altona
Essendon Ladies
TEM
Doncaster
Camberwell
Southern United
Premiers: Greensborough
Runners Up: Waverley
Relegated: Camberwell & Southern United
G’day Punters!