SENIOR WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL PREVIEW
CAROLINE SPRINGS v YARRAVILLE SEDDON
Saturday 6 September | Donald McLean Reserve, Spotwood | 12:10pm
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By Kel Rowe |
An exciting weekend of football lies ahead for the two remaining sides of the St Vincent’s Private Hospital Werribee Senior Women’s competition, Caroline Springs in a sixth straight Grand Final goes head-to-head with Yarraville Seddon who line up in the Big Dance for the very first time on Saturday afternoon.
Despite their previous two encounters this season going the way of the Lakers, the plucky Eagles have been the surprise packet of the WFNL Finals Series so far — overcoming both the reigning premiers Werribee Centrals and a slick Parkside Spurs outfit to reach the crowning game of the season.
Will Yarraville Seddon continue to ride this wave of ascendancy, or will repeat finals experience prove handy for Caroline Springs as they eye another premiership cup?
In lieu of finals familiarity, Yarraville Seddon can look to their collective experience — skilled leadership from co-captains Rosie Ronan-Yates and Rachel Culvenor, along with interleague representative Ruby Cashmore and the combined footy IQ of former AFLW stars Ash Guest, Akec Makur Chuot and Phoebe McWilliams — just some of the names offering valuable strings to the Eagles’ gameplay.
The hard-running tenacity of the young Eagles will also provide a key outlet for the freshman finals side, in the form of Coates League talent Ruby Jones, Armani Mauriohooho, Ruby Colebatch and Xanthe Chard — all solid contributors for Yarraville Seddon this season.
Like the challengers, Caroline Springs also has depth across the ground, but none more dangerous than inside their forward 50.
Whilst often looking to convert via the safe hands and accurate boot of 2025 Leading Goal Kicker Jacinta Kondis, Caroline Springs has no shortage of goal scorers, including Nikki Perret, Ebony Stevens and skilled aerialist forward/ruck option Akima Manoah. Despite mainly playing in defences this season skipper Caitlin Pretty also provides a reliable target in the goal square.
Of course, forwards are nothing without good service, and the Lakers midfield are a veritable powerhouse on this front. Opponents are wise to be wary of skilled craft from ruck Jordin Williamson, and ball winners Alicia Azzopardi, Charlize Sindoni and Brodie Stevens to name a few.
The Eagles will look to set the tone early and win territory out of the middle using the strength and speed of their key ball movers — a fast-starting Parkside line-up unsettled the Lakers in the Qualifying Final, causing the normally polished side to cop three 50m free kicks within the opening term.
Comparatively, if the Lakers can keep calm and collected, win clearances and hit those dangerous targets inside 50, they will be difficult to contain on the scoreboard.
Surge footy will be key to claiming territory in the game, along with clean, uncontested possession of the ball — and the conditions look set to be perfect on Saturday afternoon at Spotswood’s Donald McLean Reserve.
The 2025 St Vincent’s Private Hospital Werribee Senior Women’s Grand Final is set for an exciting conclusion. Don’t miss it, with the first bounce at 12:10pm.
2025 HEAD-TO-HEAD
Round 1 – Caroline Springs def Yarraville Seddon (66 points)
Round 13 – Yarraville Seddon def by Caroline Springs (108 point)
MATCH DETAILS
Caroline Springs vs Yarraville Seddon
Donald McLean Reserve, Spotswood
Match start time: 12:10pm
Catch the live stream by Sportscast Australia from 2:10pm – WATCH HERE