VU Western Spurs claimed two premierships, while Greensborough won its maiden women’s flag as the 2019 NFNL Women’s season came to its conclusion at Epping Recreation Reserve.
ANZ DIVISION 1 WOMEN’S
In ANZ Division 1 Women’s, VU Western Spurs completed its undefeated season by taking home the premiership cup with a 9.9 (63) to 5.4 (34) victory over a gallant Diamond Creek Women’s.
Kicking with the wind advantage in the opening term, Spurs duo Taylor Moss and Jessica Francke kicked the opening two goals of the match.
The Creekers hit back with an Amanda Kennedy goal, before the Spurs got back out to a 16-point lead by quarter time thanks to a Jasmine Maljevac conversion.
Kennedy’s second goal was the only major of the second term and brought the Creekers within seven points at half time, as the game hung in the balance.
The Spurs came out firing in the third term with a six-goal to one quarter to set up the win. They booted three goals in the opening 10 minutes of the quarter, before finish with another three goals in the final 10 minutes of the quarter.
Scoring proved to be difficult in the final quarter as heavy rain fell, but the Creekers managed to secure two consolation goals for their efforts.
VU Western Spurs co-captain Jessica Francke was rewarded for her superb performance, proclaimed best on field by the umpires.
MC SECURITY DIVISION 2 WOMEN’S
In MC Security Division 2 Women’s, VU Western Spurs capped off its dominant season with a clinical 15.19 (109) to 0.2 (2) grand final victory over Heidelberg.
Opening quarter goals from Katarina Rebuffo, Brittany Salt and Kayla Peake gave the Spurs a handy 20-point break heading into the quarter time huddle.
Despite having much of the play in the second term, the Spurs were unable to put the Tigers away, adding only seven behinds to their total but still taking a 25-point lead into the half time interval.
The Spurs then dictated proceedings in the third quarter, kicking an outstanding nine goals to showcase their class. They then added three final quarter goals to top off an undefeated season.
Danielle Mazzocca capped off her consistent season for the Spurs, adjudged best afield by the umpires for her outstanding all-round display.
MIRVAC DIVISION 3 WOMEN’S
In Mirvac Division 3, Greensborough came full circle to upset the VU Western Spurs 4.5 (29) to 2.4 (16) in the premiership decider.
The Boro took out the grand final win despite falling to the Spurs twice in the regular season.
Spurs forward Stacy Rigon opened proceedings with a classy snap to secure the opening goal of the match in just the second minute,
The Boro’s Jessie Hulett converted a set shot seconds before the siren to level the scores at quarter-time.
Emma Wheeler gave the Spurs a six-point lead early in the second term with a goal, before Kyla Parry put Greensborough ahead for the first time with a goal at the other end. The Boro’s advantage was stretched out to seven points by half time courtesy of Hulett’s second.
A tight third term saw neither team kick a goal, but the Spurs closed to within four points after adding three minor scores.
The only goal of the final quarter went the Boro’s way, with Ebony Spencer kicking truly from a set shot to seal the premiership win.
Despite her side’s defeat, VU Western Spurs utility Ashleigh Ashman was named best on ground by the umpires, meanwhile Greensborough star Lauren Collis rounded out her exceptional season as the best performing Boro player.
