Lower Plenty have secured back-to-back premierships in Cleaning Melbourne Division 2 Women’s with a nail bitting 13-point win over the Fitzroy Stars at Eltham Central Park.
After being challenged by the Stars, particularly in the third term, the Bears pulled through late to claim a 7.5 (47) to 4.10 (34) triumph
Stew Lewis led his team to yet another grand final in two years. After a brilliant season the Bears finally got the reward.
While Kaelun Brown and his girls unfortunately couldn’t get the end prize, it won’t stop them from preparing for the 2026 season to come back better than ever having had a stellar campaign which saw them make their first ever Women’s Grand Final.
Ava Klaic, Jordan Henry and Bree Unthank were just some of the stand out players for the Bears, with Klaic’s efforts on a wing seeing her claim Best on Ground honours.
Rianne Hood and Rose Stewart where solid for the Stars while Amina Keegan and Jessica Bamblett provided plenty of spark in attack.
It was in the first two minutes where Lower Plenty Ruckman Bree Unthank kicked the first goal of the game.
After dominating in the ruck all game, she got a nice goal at the beginning of the game. Her and her midfield fought it out for the whole game and was pillars to the Grand final win.
For the stars it was Rianne Hood who killed the midfield and drifted off to the backline when needed. She was a tackling machine and taking marks like were nothing.
Shae Audley kicked it up a gear in the second term creating a special play to her teammate Zoe Paulo who them kicked her first goal of the game.
Hayley Brown had a wild shot out of a stoppage giving the bears a more convincing lead going into half time.
Amina Keegan broke the drought and kicked the stars first goal of the game half way through the second term.
Her and Sarina Galanti caused plenty of headaches for the Bears midfield as they looked to fight their way back into the contest.
While the ball was in the Bears forward 50, it was Rose Stewart who was the pillar of the stars back line.
Being a boomerang for the stars every time it entered their defensive 50, Stewart would make sure she had her hand on it and was kicking it to a better option towards their goals.
Despite her strong efforts defensively the Stars still trailed by 22 points heading into the main break.
Lower Plenty started off the third term strong in their defence, fighting tooth and nail to make sure the Stars didn’t convince any score.
Skipper Molly McCormack led from the front in defence and had some strong support in Jordan and Olivia Henry.
Jordan was on kickout duty and her kicks were just sublime, while Olivia was a brick wall in the backline.
The Stars were creating a hard to break down wall starting at their backline continuing at the halfway make of the ground and finally on their forward 50 arc.
This was making it hard for the bears to get the ball out as every time there was a Stars player there to bring it back in.
Kaelun Brown’s side were rewarded with the only two goals of the third term, reducing their deficit to eight points at the main break.
Kicking to the non-scoring end of Eltham Central Park, the Stars looked to get on the front foot at the start of the last term.
Teah Stepan had other ideas though. Showing her presence in the midfield, she was a tackling machine and her continuous efforts were admirable.
Amelia Mullane showed her colours in the last quarter with her stoppage work being some of the best of the game.
Jessica Bamblett was able to steal one last goal in the dying minutes after having four shots on goal prior to that major.
It wasn’t enough though as the Bears claimed their second premiership in the senior women’s competition having only started in 2021.
