Three sides booked Grand Final appearances while all three fourth placed teams claimed scalps to continue their seasons after a terrific day of senior women’s finals action.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1 Women’s
A nail-biting first semi-final saw Heidelberg hold on in the last moments to defeat Montmorency 1 by four points at Epping Recreational Reserve. The match was tight all afternoon, with the Tigers leading by two points at quarter time before the Magpies added three behinds to lead by a single point at the main break. After kicking a major in the opening term, Gretta Hankinson produced a second vital goal in the third quarter to help Heidelberg take a six-point advantage into the final stanza. The Tigers were kept to just one-point for the term while Montmorency pushed hard, but could only muster three behinds, including a shot that hit the post with moments remaining, to see the Tigers advance to the preliminary final with a 2.4 (16) to 1.6 (12) win. Along with Hankinson’s goals, Emily Baldi and Ella Norris were also terrific for the victors, while Madeline Ellis and Madeline Gallagher stood out for Montmorency, who’s premiership defence has come to an end.
Despite coming into the finals on a three-game losing streak, Diamond Creek Women’s 1 produced a seven-point triumph over St Mary’s at Epping Recreational Reserve to win their way back to the Division 1 Grand Final. The Creekers started strong with an early major to lead by five points at quarter time before the Burra fought back with the next four scoring shots, however none found their way through the big sticks as Diamond Creek Women’s took a one-point advantage into half time. The Creekers had a more dominant third term where they were able to find a second major and increase their lead to two points with a quarter to play. Both sides would register one more scoring shot, but it was Diamond Creek Women’s who kicked a crucial goal five minutes before time on, which proved to be enough in the 3.3 (21) to 1.8 (14) victory. Northern Knights listed player Heidi Gifford finished as the winning side’s best, while teammate Tiana McClain also impressed.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
It was another dominant display from Lower Plenty which saw them advance to the preliminary final, after claiming a 60-point victory over the Fitzroy Stars at Epping Recreational Reserve. The Bears set the tone from the opening bounce, with a three-goal to nil first term before that was backed up with a four-goal second quarter which saw them take a 37-point advantage into the second half. Lower Plenty would continue to put the Stars on the backfoot during the next two quarters, kicking two majors in each remaining term while keeping their opposition goalless on their way to an 11.7 (73) to 1.7 (13) victory. Jordan Henry was excellent in the defensive half for the Bears and finished as her side’s best for the match, while Shae Audley had another terrific game. Bree Unthank had another strong showing up forward, and was the winning side’s only multiple goalkicker, with Amina Keegan kicking the Fitzroy Stars’ only goal.
In their inaugural season in the NFNL senior women’s competition, Ivanhoe are the first team into the Division 2 Grand Final, after defeating minor premiers West Preston-Lakeside by 27 points at Epping Recreational Reserve. Read the full match report by clicking here.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
Hurstbridge came back from 13 points down at half time to earn their spot in next week’s preliminary final, after finishing 10-point winners over South Morang in their first semi-final match at Lalor Reserve. Scores were level at the conclusion of a great opening quarter, with both sides on 2.0 (12) apiece, before the Lions booted the next two majors of the game to take an important 13-poiint advantage into the second half. However, the Bridges would power past their opponents in the third term with a three-goal to nil quarter, and with a six-point lead intact ahead of the final term, they would kick the last goal of the match to prevail 6.2 (38) to 4.4 (28). Hurstbridge co-captain Natarsha Harrop was outstanding up forward, booting four of her team’s six majors to make it six goals in her two finals matches so far. Renee Brain would finish as the winning team’s best, while South Morang’s Hailey Cordova added another terrific display to end a dominant individual campaign.
Heidelberg West have made history after advancing to their first ever senior women’s Grand Final by defeating Panton Hill by 21 points at Lalor Reserve. The Hawks began the opening term in great fashion, kicking three goals while keeping the Redbacks scoreless to take a 19-point advantage into quarter time. They continued to build on their lead in the second term and made it five unanswered goals before the Redbacks got on the board with five minutes remaining in the half. With a 25-point half time advantage and by keeping Panton Hill scoreless again in the third term, Heidelberg West boosted their lead out to 36 points at three quarter time. While Panton Hill won the final quarter 15-0, the clinical Hawks proved too strong in the opening three terms as they went on to claim a 7.1 (43) to 3.4 (22) triumph. Sophie Foote and Kate O’Neill were excellent in the first half and combined for four of the winning team’s five goals in the first two terms. Stephanie Jacobson and Bianca Walker were standouts for the Redbacks in defeat.
