A review of the ANZ NFNL Women’s preliminary finals.
With everything on the line, six teams stepped out for the ANZ NFNL Women’s preliminary finals and produced high-intensity matches at Preston City Oval.
In Division 1, reigning premier Bendigo progressed through to another grand final after defeating VU Western Spurs 4.7 (31) to 1.9 (15).
With the wind advantage in the first quarter, Bendigo controlled the play in its forward half and after six straight behinds, the Thunder finally managed to get the football through the big sticks and took a 12-point lead into quarter time.
Olivia McEvoy converted a set shot opportunity early in the second term and Andrea Walsh chipped in with a goal of her own to stretch the Thunder’s lead out to 21 points by half time.
The Thunder’s fourth goal of the match came in the third term and delivered them what appeared an unassailable 27-point buffer by the final change.
The fast-finishing Spurs kicked an early goal in the last quarter to close the gap and then locked the ball in their forward half, but could only muster six behinds from that point onwards as a composed Thunder defence, led by Jacinta Louttit, held strong.
Bendigo will now face minor premiers Keilor in the grand final after their second semi-final clash went down to the wire, with the Blues coming away two-point winners.
In Division 2, Montmorency continued its stunning finals charge, defeating VU Western Spurs 3.6 (24) to 2.3 (15) in an upset victory.
The Magpies secured the opening goal of the match and a six-point quarter-time lead thanks to a Nicole Blythe goal, before adding a second goal to their tally to take a 13-point advantage into half time.
The Spurs came out firing in the third term and capitalised on their momentum with a Jessica Heath goal, before another to Nadine Lampard’s tied up the scores at the final change.
After a tight opening to the fourth quarter, the Magpies broke through with a match-winning goal at the halfway point and held on to book their place in the grand final.
Molly Reinke and Lauren Dow continued their sensational finals form for the Magpies, while Stacey Smith and Stefania Valerio produced gallant efforts for the Spurs.
As the only side to have beaten minor premier West Preston-Lakeside all season, the Magpies will take great confidence into their grand final match-up, where they will look for a repeat of that Round 14 result.
In Division 3, Eltham produced a 0.4 (4) to 0.2 (2) upset win over St Mary’s in tough conditions.
After 32 points separated the two sides only a month ago, the Panthers turned the tables and applied great pressure to a usually fast-paced Burra outfit.
With the sides contending with each other, as well as the rain, wind, hail and a slippery deck at various points throughout the match, scoring opportunities were difficult to come by.
Despite the Burra having more of the ball in the final term, they were able to add only the two behinds, with the Panthers coming out on top at the final siren.
Krystal Cullinan and Rhiannon Burleigh handled the slippery ball the best for the Panthers, while Kerry Crockett and Amy Mitchener stood tall in the wet for the Burra.
Having won three consecutive knockout finals, Eltham will be aiming to carry its red-hot finals form into the grand final where it will meet undefeated Bundoora.
All three grand finals will be hosted at Preston City Oval on Sunday August 26, with the matches to also be streamed live on the NFNL Facebook page.
