Fitzroy’s women’s side is better prepared than ever before for an assault on the VAFA’s Premier division, captain Steph Pitt says, thanks to an injection of new talent and group ambition to compete at the top level.

After a heartbreaking grand final loss in 2024, the Women’s team returns to the top flight of ammo’s football with an aim to hold their own against some AFL-level talent.

Two years ago, Fitzroy played in the Premier division and it was tough going. But Pitt is upbeat about the 2025.

“I’m really positive, actually feel a lot more positive than I did two years ago,’’ Pitt told RedRoy Mail.

“I think we've got a bunch of pretty good new recruits, so that's making me feel super positive. And also, the team that we have carrying over from last year is really strong.”

The group has welcomed recruits from Coburg and Collegians, which Pitt says has made the competition for spots even tougher.

The captain says Morgan McNally, who will play in the midfield, is an “incredible addition.”

“She's really tied our midfield together, from what we've seen of her so far.”

Pitt also says Ciara Lyons who came across from Coburg with Morgan as one to watch along with Maddie Smith and Giselle Lambley.

“Our team is quite new compared to the team that played in premier two years ago. I think there is a lot of ambition, particularly coming from the young girls who want to be playing at this level,’’ she says.

Fitzroy is fielding a thirds women team for the first time in the club’s history on the back of huge demand – the team will play in Division 1.

With only two teams in 2024, every week saw more than a dozen players missing out on a game.

The third team has boosted morale across the whole program for 2025.

“People are enjoying themselves, which is the biggest thing,’’ she says.

“It was really difficult last year, and I think it's definitely helped that hopefully everyone gets a game every week, and people, I think are more keen to play, knowing that they're going to get a game every week.

“It's really brought up the competitiveness, and I guess the skill level of the seconds. Our seconds are looking so strong in the last few practices matches. And the talent just runs really deep through our squad.

“So it's going to push the seconds, I think, to be a bit more competitive and committed as well.”

On a personal note, Pitt is mulling whether this will be her last year as skipper and has a firm eye on creating a positive legacy after several years running the Development squad.

“My personal goal has always been to bring the younger girls into the fold and make sure there's good connection between the new, emerging players and the older, more established players.”

Pitt’s legacy is already formidable, and a big run at Premier Division will only elevate it higher.

The Senior and Reserves Women’s kick off their season away against Kew, at Victoria Park Kew on Saturday. The Thirds play their first game on the road as well against St Kevins at Righetti Oval at 12 noon.