The Run Home Is Here: Round 16 Recap and Finals Outlook
By Kel Rowe
The final round of the St Vincent’s Private Hospital Werribee Senior Women’s Competition came to an exciting close, with 8 teams locking in for Division 1 and Divions 2 finals ahead! A leading goal kicker was crowned for the season, and the top side went through undefeated — with a whopping percentage of 1067!
Werribee Centrals Senior Women v Parkside Spurs Senior Women
4.1-25 defeated by 13.11-89 Parkside Spurs Senior Women won by 64 points
Friday night footy provided a very entertaining match-up between the Werribee Centrals and the Parkside Spurs, with the undefeated Spurs claiming the chocolates in a 64-point victory.
Centurion Kyleisha Kinces provided plenty of run and carry, whilst teammate Julia Nash dominated in the ruck. Taylor Tenabel (1goal) was Parkside’s best-on-ground and was well supported by veteran Spur Nadine Lampard.
The match also saw a number of young Werribee Centrals players make their Senior debut, a haul of majors from Spurs’ Giselle Lambley and Aleisha Casley (4 goals each, and some entertaining celebrations!), and the celebration of Centurion Khayle Forsyth’s 100th game!
Caroline Springs Senior Women v North Footscray Senior Women
8.12-60 defeated 0.6-6 Caroline Springs Senior Women won by 54 points
A Lakers’ victory in the final round saw Caroline Springs finish their year on a high, overcoming North Footscray by 54-points. Despite hitting the scoreboard for some minors, the Devils could not convert, leaving the Lakers to lock in their third win for the season.
Jess Mercieca starred for the Caroline Springs, alongside Lakers’ teammate Hayley Herring, who celebrated her 150th game milestone.
Laverton Magpies Senior Women v Yarraville Seddon Eagles Senior Women
2.8-20 defeated 2.1-13 Laverton Magpies Senior Women won by 7 points
In a surprisingly tight result, Laverton were able to hold off Yarraville Seddon by just 7-points to claim the win, securing the Magpies a double-chance in finals.
Sina Mason was at her best for the Magpies, whilst her teammate Tayla Mckeown kicked the only majors to help lock in the victory. Alicia Mckertish was influential for the Eagles, with the match also marking 100 games for longtime Yarraville Seddon legend Melanie Thompson-Allan.
West Footscray Senior Women v Wyndhamvale Senior Women
1.0-6 defeated by 6.7- 43 Wyndhamvale Senior Women won by 37 points
Another chapter in the fierce rivalry between the Roosters and the Falcons unfolded on the decks of Skinner Reserve, with Wyndhamvale ultimately putting the boot to West Footscray in the penultimate quarter to close out the game with a 37-point win.
Emily Gillespie and Zara Harnden worked hard for the home side, with the former producing a throwback to the teams’ 2023 Grand Final meeting — twerking on the mark in an effort to put off sharpshooter Rachael Burton (this time the twerk worked).
Harper Sell and Chloe Prior were damaging through the corridor, and Larrissa Renaut kicked 2 majors to seal her title as the 2026 Leading Goal Kicker for the league. This marks the fourth time that Renaut has been named as such, previously awarded the honour in Season 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Point Cook Centrals Senior Women v Suns Senior Women
2.4-16 defeated by 9.16-70 Suns Senior Women won by 54 points
To close out the final round, the Suns went head-to-head the Point Cook Centrals, with the Suns securing a 54-point win, and a double chance in finals.
Chloe Elkington and Jennifer Hedjes were best on ground for the Sharks, whilst Sun’s Matilda Brown and Alexis Madden were strong at the contest. Mandy Seath was dangerous in front of the big sticks, kicking a game-high 4-majors for the Suns.
SUPER SATURDAY of Senior Women’s Finals
Our focus turns now to the weekend, and the SUPER SATURDAY of Women’s finals ahead, with four huge finals on offer at Skinner Reserve, any WFNL fan would be wild to miss it!
Yarraville Seddon Eagles Senior Women v Point Cook Centrals Senior Women
Division 2 Elimination Final, 9:15 AM, Saturday, 22 August 2026, Skinner Reserve
Despite finishing next to each other on the ladder, Yarraville Seddon collected more wins and some bigger scalps across the home and away season.
The young Sharks side shouldn’t be counted out though, with consistent performances from their leaders Hayley Fletcher, Hayley Bennet and Chloe Elkington offering plenty of energy and direction across the ground.
Yarraville will look to put out their best squad, including the likes of Akec Makur Chuot, Xanthe Chard and Eagles Skipper Rachel Culvenor. A great start to a full day of finals!
Suns Senior Women v Laverton Senior Women
Division 2 Qualifying Final, 11:15 AM, Saturday, 22 August 2026, Skinner Reserve
Expect both sides to hit hard at the contest, bring the pressure moments and offer plenty of exciting scoring options inside 50.
Laverton’s engine room could be the difference for the Magpies, should they dominate clearances at the centre contest. Sina Mason, Shae-Lee Murphy-Burke and dangerous forward Kayla Ravanello will be sure impact.
The Suns unit has much to offer in return — the lightning-quick efforts of Bonnie Lea Brown, tenacity of Zoe Court and Mandy Seath in the goal square — and all should be held to account.
Werribee Centrals Senior Women v West Footscray Senior Women
Division 1 Elimination Final, 1:20 PM, Saturday, 22 August 2026, Skinner Reserve
After narrowly conceding defeat to the Centurions late in the season, the Roosters will be looking to get one back and proceed to the next round of finals.
Both sides have plenty of talent across the park, but key players like intercept defender Meg Basto, ruck powerhouse Julia Nash and the bodywork of forward Madi Cronin could turn the game in the Centrals favour.
Conversely, the run and carry of the Roosters, and a strong rebound out of defence might make things tricky for their opponents. Keep an eye out for the efforts of Laura Littlepage, Bo Crabtree and Courtney Mangelsdorf across the ground.
Parkside Spurs Senior Women v Wyndhamvale Senior Women
Division 1 Qualifying Final, 3:30 PM, Saturday, 22 August 2026, Skinner Reserve
The cream of the crop will go head-to-head in the afternoon slot, with Wyndhamvale ready to take it up to the fast-finishing Parkside Spurs. Both teams have an abundance of talent, which will make for exciting footy!
Claiming ascendancy at centre contest will be key to putting on a score, and both teams have capacity here. The Spurs will look to make use of space, switching the ball to their advantage, via the usual suspects in Nat Pearce, Rita Ceravolo and utility Giselle Lambley.
Wyndhamvale can use their strength at the contest to their advantage, through Harper Sell and Chloe Prior, and should look to find Larrissa Renaut inside 50 as a reliable scoring avenue.