Montmorency 1 have booked their place in the preliminary final of the 2025 Division 1 Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1 Senior Women’s competition with a tense nine-point victory over Heidelberg at La Trobe University Oval No.2.
The 2024 Division 1 elimination final rematch saw the Magpies continuously overcome repeated surges from the Tigers to secure a 5.10 (40) to 5.1 (31) win.
Heidelberg entered this game in strong form after their convincing 29-point win to Eltham in their Elimination Final matchup. However, they couldn’t quite match Montmorency’s composure on Sunday.
The opening term set the tone for a hard-fought afternoon with much of the play locked in Monty’s half.
It was Heidelberg who struck first, with Emma Rowe finding Macy D’Orazio inside 50 for the game’s opening goal.
Ava Vincent was busy early for the Tigers linking up well in traffic, while Magpies Jessica Nursey pushed forward to create scoring chances.
Montmorency hit back late, as Shae Collinson broke through for their first major to end the first term practically level.
Throughout the second, both teams were excellent with traded intercept marks and strength around the stoppages.
Tigers star Emily De Sando was a standout all day, proving to be consistent around the contest, leaving her opponents chasing shadows.
Neither side could break clear, with Heidelberg entering half time holding a narrow 13-point lead.
The third term saw the pressure intensify as Montmorency pushed hard with ruck dominance from Emily Gallagher.
Hayley Keating was also instrumental for the Magpies, earning a best-on performance from her side.
Heidelberg kept them scoreless till deep into the third quarter, using their impressive defensive pressure.
That resistance finally cracked when Molly Bell took a strong contested mark and converted to the scoreboard, reducing the margin to just a goal as the fourth quarter came around.
Rowe opened the last term with a fancy mark and goal to bring the margin to a single point, before Monty’s Shelby Lemire responded instantly to create some separation.
Rowe wasn’t done, adding another major to again close the gap to one point, before Montmorency levelled scores midway through the term.
April Thomson then put Heidelberg back in front, but the Magpies kept coming and the game remained up for grabs.
A crucial goal from Monique Migotto gave Montmorency the lead, before Maddy Ellis, awarded a free kick, converted to stretch the margin to nine points in the final moments.
Last year’s elimination final ended in similar fashion, with Heidelberg leading by just four points. This time, however, Montmorency decided to turn the tables.
Their ability to hold their composure in the frantic final quarter ensured they live to fight another week.
The result sees the Magpies progress to the preliminary final to battle it out against St Mary’s, while Heidelberg bow out after finishing just under Monty at fourth on the ladder.
