Deakin Uni Premier Division | Week One Finals Preview

By Ryan Long.

It's one of the most anticipated finals series in Senior Women's Premier Division, with all four finalists proving at different stages of the season that they're capable to win the flag.

Take a look below as we preview Saturday's two big finals.

Premier Division Semi Final 1: Eastern Devils v Park Orchards @ H.E Parker Reserve, 12:45pm, Saturday 9^th August

The Eastern Devils take on Park Orchards this Saturday in the first semi, the loser out of this year’s finals series, the winner to qualify for the Preliminary Final.

For the Devils, it’s a very different outlook heading into this year’s finals series, compared to the last three years. It’s the first season since joining the EFNL that they haven’t finished on top of the ladder. 

Aaron Ross’s first season as senior coach, taking over from Jason Cridland. The Devils took a bit of time to kick into gear this year, but they enter this weekend off the back of four-straight wins. The number one ranked attacking side has benefited from Chloe Hunt’s return from Collingwood VFLW in that time. 19 goals from five games, including last week’s haul of ten against Whitehorse.

The likes of Shaneece Stratton and Olivia Aing have impressed throughout the year, while Hayley Thompson’s second year at the club has seen her kick 15 goals thus far.

They meet Park Orchards, who have entered the Premier Division after last year’s seven-point win over North Ringwood in the Division One Grand Final. There haven’t been too many sides that have this strong of a season in their first season at Premier Division level.

Dave Boell’s first year as coach has been a major success, the Sharks' best wins of the year coming against both Minor Premier South Belgrave and reigning premiers South Croydon.

Ava Campbell, listed at Collingwood VFLW, has joined the Sharks and played 12 of the 14 games for Park Orchards, having a big influence on the side. The likes of Jade Hutchinson and Alannah Panza have both been key, while Isabelle Pollock returned this season, kicking 13 goals for the year.

It’s a massive achievement for Park Orchards to make the finals series in their first full season at Premier Division level. The one box left to tick is knocking off the Devils, who are 2 and 0 against the Sharks this season.

Prediction: Eastern Devils by 17 points.

Premier Division Semi Final 2: South Belgrave v South Croydon @ H.E. Parker Reserve, 2:45 pm, Saturday 9th August

The first spot in the Premier Division Grand Final is up for grabs at H.E. Parker Reserve, South Belgrave, meeting South Croydon.

The Saints had the perfect start to the year, eight wins in a row before suffering their first loss of 2025 against Park Orchards.

Everything has come together well for the Saints, and all the key personnel have been in strong form. Olivia Flanagan is this year’s leading goalkicker with 28 goals this season, closely followed by Georgia Grimmer with 22 goals. Georgie Pruden, who played three games with Port Melbourne VFLW last year, has played all 14 games, nine times in the best.

Jemma Mason continues to impress, another midfield star, frequently in the best.

They’ve got a great challenge on their hands as they meet South Croydon, the reigning premiers coming off seven wins in a row to steal the double chance. The side had the toughest fortnight of games to finish out the year and managed to beat both South Belgrave and Park Orchards to finish second on the ladder.

Similar to the Devils, it took some time to kick into gear this season, but they’re arguably now sitting as the in-form team heading into the finals. Brooke Smith hasn’t missed a beat in 2025, eight times in the best, including the last two weeks against strong opposition.

Monica Latino is joining the Dogs this year from Donvale, one of the great recruits of the season. As seen previously at the Magpies, Latino is someone they can move around the ground across this finals series, dangerous around goals, but a fantastic ball winner around the contest.

They’ve been without some key personnel, including Nicole Garner, injured against Boronia at the start of the season and Tanikka Martin, who has missed the last month of the season.

Expecting a tight contest but leaning towards the Dogs based on the form they’ve been carrying into this finals series.

Prediction: South Croydon by 10 points.