WERRIBEE CENTRALS WIN FIRST SENIOR WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
Werribee Centrals have won their first St Vincent’s Private Hospital Werribee Senior Women’s premiership after a stunning victory over Caroline Springs on Saturday.
The Centurions kicked the last three goals of the game to defeat the Lakers 6.3 (39) to 5.7 (37) at Skinner Reserve with Julia Nash adjudged best on ground for the winning side.
The 39-37 scorelines was the same as the two teams’ Round 1 encounter which the Centurions won, before suffering losses to the Lakers in Round 10 and the Qualifying Final.
Saturday’s conditions were tricky early as a strong breeze blew across Skinner Reserve which saw both teams fail to kick a goal in the opening term.
Caroline Springs led 2-1 at quarter time and the Lakers continued to dominate possession in the second term with Dijana Vasilevska and Hannah Herring winning plenty of the ball.
The Lakers would eventually kick the first goal of the game, doing so at the 13-and-a-half-minute mark of the second quarter courtesy of Shekeine De Stage.
But the Centurions, despite limited forward 50 entries would lead at the main break as they ended the half with two quick goals and a five-point buffer.
Caroline Springs was first on the board in the third, but it didn’t take long for Werribee Centrals to reply and retake the lead through Keely Spiteri.
Late back-to-back goals to Lusiya Azina and Lakers captain Cailtin Pretty gave Caroline Springs an 11-point lead at the final change with Pretty then extending her side’s advantage to 37-19 early in the final term.
However, the Centurions weren’t going down without a fight as Julia Nash continued her brilliant game in the ruck while Meghann Basto and Georgia Paul again stood up in defence.
Jessica Spall also got busy and would be the source of two crucial goals, the first from a down field free kick and the second an incredible boundary line finish at the 17-minute mark.
Just three minutes later Werribee Centrals had the opportunity to go ahead for the final time and captain Lauren Basto made no mistake, calmly slotting what would be the winning score in a famous victory.
Post-game Werribee Centrals coach Jade De La Rue-Galgey said she couldn’t be prouder after her side’s thrilling premiership triumph.
“We’ve had a running joke for most of this year, don’t leave it until the last five minutes,” she said.
“I was stressing out there but at three-quarter time I said we just have to stick to the structure and trust the process really.
“Once they kicked those two goals late in the third, I think some of our girls dropped their heads but a few of us made sure to get around and tell them we weren’t out of it.
“There were a few girls who took it upon themselves to step up and they got us rolling and then some smart footy got us over the line. The score of this game is the same as Round 1 which is just crazy.
“Caroline Springs have been a powerhouse for a long time, they always play hard contested footy, and they didn’t shy away from that. They’ve been a great team and are always great to play.
“This has been a long time coming for our club but this year the girls have gone above and beyond with every training session, game day and discussion we’ve had with each other.
“The group is so tight and I’m just so proud of what they were able to achieve today.”
FULL TIME
Werribee Centrals: 01. 2.1 3.1 6.3 (39)
Caroline Springs 0.2 1.2 4.6 5.7 (37)
Werribee Centrals
Goal kickers: Jessica Spall 2, Lauren Basto, Kyleisha Kinces, Larissa Renaut, Keely Spiteri
Best players: Julia Nash, Jessica Spall, Keely Spiteri, Larissa Renaut, Meghann Basto, Georgia Paul
Caroline Springs
Goal kickers: Caitlin Prety 2, Lusiya Azina 2, Shekeine De Stage
Best players: Not submitted