The final three sides to earn their places on 2024 NFNL Senior Women’s Grand Final day were decided after some terrific displays in Sunday’s preliminary finals at Preston City Oval.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1 Women’s
St Mary’s have earnt a third consecutive Grand Final appearance in the senior women’s competition, this time in the top flight, following an impressive 32-point victory over Heidelberg. In the first final between the two teams since last year’s Division 2 decider, it was the Tigers who started well with the opening goal, and a five-point lead at quarter time. The Burra responded with two of the next three majors, to make it a one-point ball game at the main break. Despite the match still being in the balance approaching the second half, St Mary’s burst through with a three-goal to nil third term and a four-goal to two last quarter to help solidify a 9.3 (57) to 4.1 (25) win. Caitlin Kreuzberger starred and along with forwards Megan Girolami and Sarah Johnston, booted two majors. Georgia Kitchell impressed in the ruck for the winning team, while Emily Baldi and Gretta Hankinson were standouts for Heidelberg in what was still a solid Division 1 campaign for the Tigers.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2 Women’s
Lower Plenty put minor premiers West Preston-Lakeside to the sword in their preliminary final and dominated the first half to produce a 50-point triumph. The Bears, who had won their previous two finals by a combined margin of 149 points, would keep the Roosters scoreless throughout the entire opening two quarters. While they managed just one major in the first term, they surged through for a five-goal second quarter which broke the game open. Lower Plenty would continue to find the goals in the second half, with West Preston-Lakeside also breaking their scoring drought with three second half majors, but the Bears proved too strong in the 10.6 (66) to 2.4 (16) result to advance to the club’s first senior women’s Grand Final. It was the Michaela Molenberg show up forward, as the Collingwood VFLW listed star nailed six goals in her side’s big win. Shae Audley meanwhile would still finish as the Bears’ best, following another extraordinary performance. Louise Condurso and Trinity Mills were solid contributors for the minor premiers despite the loss.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
Panton Hill have made history in their first season in NFNL senior women’s competition by booking a place in the Division 3 Grand Final with a thrilling three-point victory over Hurstbridge. Read the full match report by clicking here.
