North Heidelberg have etched their name into Division 3 women’s history after claiming a nine-point victory over Heidelberg West in a tense and physical Grand Final at Eltham Central Park that had the crowd on edge until the final siren.
North Heidelberg have etched their name into Division 3 women’s history after claiming a nine-point victory over Heidelberg West in a tense and physical Grand Final at Eltham Central Park that had the crowd on edge until the final siren.
The Dogs had to withstand a fierce challenge from a resilient Hawks outfit who refused to go away, but in the end North’s ability to create repeat entries and hold firm under pressure proved the difference as they ran out 4.11 (35) to 4.2 (26) winners.
From the opening bounce, the intensity was exactly what you would expect from two clubs battling for premiership glory.
Both sides were relentless around the contest, with hard tackles and pressure acts setting the tone for what would be a bruising encounter.
For Heidelberg West, Chloe Rowan was everywhere across half-back and through the middle, gathering disposals and driving her side into attack when opportunities presented.
The Hawks’ first forward foray ended in a rushed behind, tying the scores before the Dogs again surged forward.
As time-on ticked away and both teams searched desperately for a breakthrough, it was North’s Imogen Maher who broke the deadlock, kicking truly from a slight angle to notch the first major right on the quarter-time siren.
North carried that momentum into the second quarter, once again winning the clearance and finding Maher, who slotted her second to push the margin to 12 points.
The Dogs were on top and looked threatening, but the Hawks quickly answered through Sophie Foote, who snapped truly from close range after some slick ball movement from her side.
The arm wrestle continued as North created wave after wave of entries, led by Best on Ground medalist Remy Moore who began to stamp herself on the contest.
Moore intercepted, pressured, tackled and drove her team forward repeatedly but could not quite finish her work in front of the sticks.
For all their dominance, the scoreboard only read 2.7 to 1.2, keeping the Hawks well within reach.
That faith was rewarded late in the quarter when Rowan, who continued to shine as Heidelberg West’s most damaging player, helped spark a passage that ended in another goal to reduce the margin to just five points at half-time.
The third term began with the same ferocity, both teams throwing themselves into contests with premiership intensity.
Yasmen Roe produced a courageous mark to lift the Hawks, while Rowan and ruck Crystal Grech battled tirelessly to keep them in the fight.
North’s captain Teresa Cassar nearly added to the scoreboard after winning a free kick but couldn’t convert, while Bishop started to work into the game for the Dogs, gathering important touches around the ground.
Each side traded territory without impact, and as the clock wound down, North held a slender four-point advantage heading into the last quarter.
Heidelberg West burst out of the blocks in the final term, peppering the Dogs’ defence and creating early chances.
Foote clunked two strong contested marks but was denied by the goal line on both occasions, before Elizabeth Toumbourou finally capitalised on the Hawks’ dominance with a superb running finish that put them in front for the first time.
The crowd erupted as the Hawks looked poised to ride their momentum, but North would not be denied.
In response, Ellouise Bishop took a strong mark in the goal square and converted calmly to restore the Dogs’ lead.
Moments later, the defining play came when Keely Bevis found herself hemmed in near the boundary but produced a stunning snap from the pocket, threading it through to push the margin out to nine points.
The Hawks continued to surge in the final minutes, earning a late 50-metre penalty and forcing the ball deep inside 50, but North’s defenders stood tall time and again.
With every clearance and intercept, the Dogs inched closer to the siren. When it finally sounded, players and supporters alike erupted in celebration as North Heidelberg secured a famous premiership in a Grand Final that will long be remembered for its intensity and drama.
