The Division 1/2 Women’s competition has seen 6 rounds completed, leaving 5 rounds remaining before we divide the competition into Division 1 and Division 2 for the remainder of the season.
Currently, four teams are leading the pack poised to advance into the Division 1 competition. Chelsea and Warrandyte maintain their undefeated streaks, which could continue for several more rounds; the two scheduled to meet in the final game of the initial part of the season.
Chelsea has been hitting all the marks perfectly, especially considering their 8-10 finish last season in Division 1. They've already secured 7 wins, triumphing over all the teams positioned around them on the ladder and 2 more wins will see them better that win record from 2023.
The O’Nial sisters are dominating for Warrandyte, averaging a combined 36 points and 23.8 rebounds per game. They are receiving solid support from Shannon Powell-Ross, who averages 19.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. Warrandyte was tipped to be toward the top of the tree in 2024 and they’re certainly living upto expectations.
Altona and Western Port have each experienced only one loss so far, and interestingly, both defeats came at the hands of Chelsea. The Gators have been quietly efficient in their approach, distinct from the two aforementioned teams. Altona has distributed scoring across multiple players, with five of them averaging double digits, spearheaded by Alicia Sciberras with an average of 16 points per game. The Steelers have been powered by the dynamic duo of Rachel Winters and Rachel Wansbrough. Winters maintains an average of 16.86 points, 6.14 rebounds, and 3.57 assists per game, while Wansbrough is close to a double-double with averages of 9.71 points and 10.86 rebounds per game. These teams are yet to play each other, that will occur in Round 9. Meanwhile, they both still have to battle against Warrandyte, so there are some big matchups to close out this unique competition structure. The question remains, will they all maintain their top 4 spots when the competition divides?
Now, let's explore the teams situated in the middle of the pack. Seven teams are vying for the likely three remaining positions in the Division 1 competition. Mildura and Surfcoast currently hold 4-3 records, closely trailed by Wallan, Collingwood, Melbourne University and RMIT, all with 3-4 records. Craigieburn (2-4) is closely following, still with a game in hand compared to these teams.
Mildura seems to have the most favourable schedule among the mid-pack teams leading up to the mid-season break. They have a double-header away trip to Melbourne this coming weekend followed by four consecutive home games. With only one game against a team currently positioned above them, Mildura appears to be in a prime position to secure one of the Division 1 positions.
Surfcoast finds themselves at the opposite end with the most daunting schedule ahead. They are slated to face off against three of the top four teams currently on the ladder. Despite this tough road, the Chargers are ready to rise to the challenge, with league points leader Cortney Hollowood averaging 27.25 per a gam aiming to guide the team to a promotion into Division 1.
The Panthers face the frightening task having to go up against the powerhouses of Chelsea and Warrandyte. However, their schedule still ranks as the third easiest among the mid-pack teams. With 2023 Division 2 MVP Kylah Collins currently averaging a double-double (21.86 points & 12.86 rebounds), the young Wallan team has the talent to potentially make the leap to Division 1.
Collingwood will rely heavily on league rebounding leader Maddi Geislinger, who averages an impressive 19.14 points, 18.43 rebounds, and 2.57 blocks per game, to maintain her exceptional season. Their upcoming trip to Mildura this weekend is crucial for them to capitalize on, and their final-round showdown against Chelsea is another pivotal game. These are the only two games we see as potential losses for the All-stars before the break.
As forecasted in the season preview, Melbourne Uni felt the impact of losing key players during the offseason. With a young roster this season, they face a critical stretch of six games before the mid-season split and will be determined to avoid relegation. Their schedule includes tough matchups against teams in close proximity on the ladder, as well as a showdown against ladder-leading Chelsea in Round 10. The pressing question is: Who will step up and lead this Melbourne Uni team to safety, ensuring they avoid relegation?
RMIT should be reasonably pleased with their performance this season. They've already matched their total wins from last season, with the majority of the season still ahead. However, they face a tough schedule in the next few rounds, facing off against four teams around them on the ladder. Unlike some other teams, the Redbacks lack a standout powerhouse scorer this season. If they miss out on a position in the Division 1 competition post-break, keep an eye on them as they may climb towards the top of the Division 2 ladder come postseason.
The Eagles of Craigieburn are determined to do everything in their power to avoid relegation to Division 2 before the mid-season break. Fortunately, their destiny is within their control as they face many of the teams around them on the ladder. Import Briana Gray has finally arrived for the Eagles, and in her debut outing, she scored 22 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists. Craigieburn will need her continued performance if they are to have a chance at maintaining their position in Division 1.
The Sharks in Rosebud experienced some early-season instability with a coaching change after the initial rounds. Despite this, the young and emerging team, back in the competition this season, has secured 2 wins. Star player Jade Odom has been a standout, earning spots in a couple of the All First & Second teams this season, averaging 17.43 points, 11.57 rebounds, and 4.71 assists per game. With additional support post-mid-season break, the Sharks could be poised to climb the ladder.
Despite a promising setup after finishing 3rd last season in the Division 2 competition, things haven't gone as planned for the Vikings. Experienced coach Simon Hickey returned, and Makenzie Miller was recruited from the champion Gippsland United team, but they haven't found themselves on the winners' list yet. They should have their sights set on Round 11, where they face Coburg, as it might present an opportunity to secure their first win of the season. Alysha Casey has been a standout performer for Blackburn, averaging 16.29 points per game.
Coburg is enduring a tough season, particularly compared to their success last season. However, looking at the fixture, they have two crucial games that could potentially secure their first win of the season. In Round 8, they face RMIT, and as mentioned previously, in Round 11, they take on Blackburn, with both games being away fixtures. These matchups should be seen as winnable for the Giants. A shift in focus during the mid-season break could hopefully see Coburg emerge stronger and start notching up victories.
As our season preview suggested, this competition is wide open, making every game crucial. And indeed, it has lived up to that expectation. With 6 rounds completed, we still have 11 teams vying for the final 7 positions in the Division 1 competition. The question arises: Who in the middle pack will emerge victorious? Can Mildura and Western Port maintain their positions, or are they at risk of slipping? Answers to these questions will come in 5 weeks' time. For now, let's sit back and witness the unfolding of this middle part of the season, with tight matches and overtime games sure to be on the horizon.
