VAFA Premier Women’s live stream: Collegians looking to punch finals ticket against St Kevin’s

Collegians found St Kevin’s too hot to handle in a decisive third term as they dropped back to the chasing pack in the battle for a VAFA Women’s Premier League finals berth. Relive all the action.

While Collegians only fell by nine points to VAFA Premier Women’s leaders Kew two weeks ago, against second-placed St Kevin’s on Saturday, it was a completely different story.

St Kevin’s 34-point victory was built on a big third-term effort when they kicked 27 points and only conceded a lone behind.

They maybe ensconsed in the top four at present, but the 8.12 (60) to 4.2 (26) defeat showed Collegians just how much ground they need to make up to threaten the teams above them.

The game was tight until midway through the third quarter when St Kevin’s clicked into another gear.

A five-point halftime deficit quivkly blew out to 31 points by three-quarter time and St Kevin’s had the game in their keeping.

REPLAY: St Kevin’s v Collegians (Reserves - Women)

PREVIEW

Don’t mention the word finals to Collegians.

Sitting fourth on the VAFA Premier Women’s ladder, the Lions are in prime position to book their place in the most exciting part of the season.

It would be a remarkable achievement for a club competing in its first season at the level.

They’ll put their credentials to the test when they face St Kevin’s away from home on Saturday afternoon with the game set to be live streamed on KommunityTV.

The senior clash at 2pm will be the second of a double header, with the reserves set to get underway at 12pm.

Collegians have shot up to fourth on the ladder in the first season in VAFA’s top flight. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Collegians coach Dom Lucarelli admitted he was a “little surprised” by where his side sat on the ladder.

“When the opportunity was presented to the club to come up from Premier B, we thought it was a really exciting challenge,” he said.

“Our primary goal was to stabilise ourselves in Premier Division, which is still our aim, we’re not wanting to talk about finals.

“The lid is on some might say.”

When the two sides earlier this year, St Kevin’s ran out 38 points winners with the Lions held goalless.

Lucarelli said his side had taken plenty of lessons away from that meeting.

“They’re the gold standard of VAFA women’s footy,” he said.

“We got a really good taste of the benchmark of the competition, but that’s why you play footy to play against the best.”

Several Collegians players have caught the eye after making the move up from Premier B last season.

Collegians’ Rebecca Grant in action for the VAFA in the representative game against the Perth Football League. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Jenna Colwell and Rebecca Grant represented Collegians in the Big V VAFA game earlier this month.

“They really enjoyed the experience and were able to build that Collegians spirit among other VAFA women’s teams,” Lucarelli said.

Others to keep an eye on this weekend include Georgia Harris the Lions’ goalkicker with 15 majors for the season.

Jessica Pham is another player enjoying a fine season with seven mentions in the best from 12 games.

For St Kevin’s Catherine Stanton looms as a major threat with 20 goals for the season, including two in the previous meeting between the pair.

Bree Doyle, Elyce Hay and Elysia Burvill are other players to keep an eye on.