The six sides set to compete in next weekend’s NFNL senior women’s competition Grand Finals are locked in following a tense day of Preliminary Final action at Tony Sheehan Oval.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
In the closest preliminary final of them all, Montmorency 1 claimed a heartstopping one-point victory over St Mary’s. The Burra got the fast start after kicking the first goal of the game before the Magpies kicked three of the next four goals in the opening half to enter the quarter time break up by four points. Montmorency continued to press, kicking two of the first three goals of the second half to enter the dying stages of the contest up by two goals. And while the Burra kicked the last two it wasn’t enough as the Magpies held on for a 5.5 (35) to 5.4 (34) victory. Madeline Ellis and Emily Gallagher starred in the victory, with Ellis one of five goalkickers for the Magpies on the day. Mikayla Plunkett and Georgia Kitchell capped off excellent seasons in the loss while Jaydah Hope was the only multiple goalscorer for either side.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
Fitzroy Stars locked in a Grand Final berth with a two-goal triumph over Kilmore in the second preliminary final of the day. The Stars kicked the only goal of the first quarter after producing four scoring shots in that period before Kilmore kicked one goal from three scoring shots in the second term to trail by just one point at the main break. Kaelun Brown’s side then kicked three goals to one in the third term to lead by 15 points at the final change. After conceding the first two goals of the last quarter, the Stars were able to hang on, kicking the last goal of the match to seal a 5.8 (38) to 4.2 (26) victory. Tiarna Steel and Medika Bonney were at their best alongside Jackie Vella while Jessica Bamblett kicked two goals. Naomi Whalan and Chloe D’Elia gave it their all for Kilmore, who’s stellar first season in the senior women’s competition comes to an end.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
Heidelberg West continued their hot streak to end season 2025, defeating Whittlesea by 13 points in their preliminary final meeting. The Hawks kicked the opening goal of the game in the first nine minutes of the match. Both sides then tried to grab momentum but were unable to score any more goals in the first half, resulting in the Hawks leading by one straight kick at the main break. After the Eagles kicked the first goal of the second half, Brett Pollard’s side then kicked the next three to take an 18-point lead into three quarter. Whittlesea then kicked the first two goals of the final quarter, but the Hawks were able to hang on, kicking a late to secure the win 5.3 (33) to 3.2 (20). Heidelberg West and Whittlesea both exclusively had individual goalkickers on the day, with Hayley Osborne, Ashley Fitzpatrick and Audrey Steinke fighting hard for the Eagles as their season came to a close.
