Women’s Premier League Preview

by Aaron Delaporte on October 25, 2021

Women’s Tuesday Premier League Preview

The Professionals Women’s Tuesday Pennant Competition kicks off tomorrow and whilst the weather forecast for Round 1 looks a bit dicey the defending champions Manning will be anything but as the team to beat going for an eighth straight title. A few clubs however have recruited strongly so there is several challengers for the title. Here I take a look at every side in the competition listed below in the order we think they might finish.

1st Manning

Last Year: 1st
INS – R Jolly
OUTS – Nil

Comments: After winning an amazing seventh straight Premier League title it’s hard not to tip Manning to do it again. They have regained Robyn Jolly who took a year off travelling around Australia whilst Robin Angel will make her Premier League debut having been promoted from the lower grades after showing some good form to earn a call up. Those two are joined by Robyn O’Brien in the same rink, and with Hailey Packer to skip the three Robin/Robyn’s she may be yelling out ‘good bowl Robyn’ a lot during the season. They of course they also have the firepower of the states no 1 Kristina Krstic along with Therese Hastings, Liz Matthews and Helen Heal which will ensure they are there again come finals time.


2nd North Beach

Last Year: 4th      
INS – Shari Solly & Toni Madigan
OUTS – Kaye Blackwell & Isobelle Davies

Comments: North Beach are regular Premier League finalists and look to have a very strong side on paper having gained Shari Solly and Toni Madigan from rivals Osborne Park albeit they have lost some talent in Blackwell and Davies. This team has a lot of balance with some very good front end players complementing the backend experience of the likes of Janet Cocks and Rhonda Prosser. They lost their first four games last season but rattled home to make finals, a better start will have them challenging for a top two spot.


3rd Mosman Park

Last Year: 2nd     
INS – Chris Ace-Watson
OUTS – Jill Adam

Comments: Mosman Park search far and wide for their recruits and having lost Jill Adam back to Geraldton they have recruited Chris Ace-Watson who has made the move to the city from Boulder and will be a great addition to the team having finished runner-up in the State Singles last season. Mosman Park have also promoted Denise Kelly to skip for the first time with Bev Baker taking a step back playing as a third. Catherine Chappelle won the Novice Champion of Champions title and has earnt a spot in Premier League as a leader. The team has plenty of experience including Lee Poletti who will miss the opening round due to illness but will certainly bolster the side on her return. Expect them to be right in the mix for the grand final once again.


4th Melville

Last Year: 8th      
INS – Kaye Blackwell, Isobelle Davies, Gail Worley
OUTS – Judy Freeman

Comments: Melville had a disappointing season last year finishing 8th but it could have been much worse given they were last with two games to play and survived by just half a point. I think they can bounce back strongly in 21/22 especially with some handy recruits. Kaye Blackwell will join her daughter Donna as a skip for the Magic and Isobelle Davies will slot in as a third given them much needed back end strength. This means other players move into more suited spots and it will be no surprise to see them fill the last finals spot.


5th Sorrento

Last Year – 5th
INS – Nil
OUTS – Sandra Everest

Comments: Sorrento is a team which has been battling around mid-table for a while now. They can upset the top teams but also lose to the bottom sides so maintaining good form will be crucial for them. Jackie Maxwell who joined them from Queensland half way through last year moves up to skip a rink whilst Wendy Flack, Charmain Harris and Jan Paniperis have all been promoted to Premier League. Once again a steady line-up which should win their fair share of matches his season.


6th Safety Bay

Last Year – 7th
INS – Debbie Smith
OUTS – Nil

Comments: Safety Bay have a great home ground advantage especially on a windy day and have great spirit amongst there side. Debbie Smith from Kukerin is a good little pick up for them and will slot in as a second. They have also given an opportunity to some new faces with Lyn Scott, Susan Burch and Sharon Winfield picked in the line-up ahead of some regular names of the past. Hopefully this can play off the Bay and is well worth the gamble.


7th Gosnells

Last Year – 6th
Ins – Nil
Outs – Nil

Comments:  Gosnells used a remarkable 22 players last season as it was a credit to them managing a 6th placed finish in the end in a congested ladder. Like some other clubs their improvement if they can make it will come from within their own ranks as Gloria McDonald, Shirley McLean and Janice Nightingale get the first shot in 2021/22 for Kookaburras.


8th Osborne Park

Last Year: 3rd      
INS – Ruby Leggett, Debbie Saunders
OUTS – Shari Solly, Toni Madigan, Susan Kondratjuk, Margaret Anderson

Comments: After finals placings in the last few years sadly this looks like a year where Osborne Park may slip down the ladder having lost four very good players. Whilst Ruby Leggett is a very promising youngster who should enjoy the challenge along with Debbie Saunders who will initially skipper a rink having come from South Perth where she played second division, this must be one of the biggest jumps by a player in recent memory across any pennant competition. Pam Chalmers is also currently out for Osborne Park (they desperately need her back as soon as possible) who have had to promote several players including Sandy Tope, Helen Hitchcock and Louisa Moltzan to fill spots. A big challenge for the Saints but it looks like a drop down the ladder is on the cards, just how far is the question.


9th Thornlie

Last Year – 1st in 1st White            
Ins –  Nil
Outs – Nil

Comments: Congrats to Thornlie on finishing top in White last year and welcome back to the big league as the team goes in virtually unchanged from last season. Thornlie will also have a brand new club house to celebrate any victories in and hopefully they record a few because it looks like a tough prospect for the Ravens. A first up encounter against Mosman Park will see what they are made of but it could be a long season ahead if they don’t record some early wins.


10th Victoria Park

Last Year – 3rd in 1st White
INS – Jess Moyle
OUTS – Nil

Comments: The second team returning to the top flight and they have been handed the toughest test first up against Manning. Jess Moyle the cousin of Premier League player Ryan Moyle will add some energy to the team as she takes a rink returning to the sport after a few years off. Sadly in every competition one team must be tipped to finish last and apart from some Premier League experience with Jeanette Davies and Jan Piercey there doesn’t seem to be enough depth in the side to keep out of the relegation zone. Can Vict Park prove me wrong?