CAROLINE SPRINGS CAP PERFECT SEASON WITH SENIOR WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP

By Kel Rowe | 

Caroline Springs are 2025 St Vincent’s Private Hospital Werribee Senior Women’s premiers after capping a faultless season with their second Senior Women’s Grand Final triumph.

A valiant Yarraville Seddon met the Lakers at every contest, as four massive quarters played out in the sunshine on Donald McLean Reserve.

In the end, the Lakers went home with the silverware, but one thing is for sure — women’s footy is alive and well in the West.

Saturday’s weather offered unseasonably warmth along with blustery conditions for the Grand Final, a stark contrast to the soggy nature of the earlier finals matches.

Firing early, Yarraville Seddon hit the scoreboard first through youngster Armani Mauriohooho, with the response from Caroline Springs came a just minute later, off the boot of Nyomi Stowers.

A relatively even first term, saw the Lakers just edging out the Eagles at the first change.

Caroline Springs responded to their opponent’s opening challenge in the second quarter — kicking five majors to Yarraville Seddon’s three — and stretching their lead out to a four-goal differential by the halftime break.

Resolute in their defence in the penultimate term, the Eagles prevented the Lakers from registering a major, whilst continuing to gain ascendancy and reduce the deficit.

The final quarter proved to be the most frenetic, with Yarraville Seddon kicking back into contention two quick majors to be just a goal shy of Caroline Springs at the eight-minute mark.

A combined 10 scoring shots from both sides made for a nail-biting finish to the match, but it was a sealer kicked by Mira Diab — her sixth major of the day — that saw the premiership cup safely into the hands of the Lakers at the final siren.

Caroline Springs dynamo Akima Manoah was awarded the Best on Ground medal in the post-match ceremony, and both coaches congratulated the spectacle and skill of their opponents’ game.

Alongside Manoah, Caroline Springs’ most notable performers include sharpshooter Diab who finished with an electric six goals — her impressive haul coming 12 months after booting six goals in a winning display for Caroline Springs in the Under 18 Women’s Grand Final.

Other star contributors were midfielder Nyomi Stowers, winger Taya Meiers, and ruck Jordin Williamson while a staunch captain’s game was produced by Lakers’ skipper Caitlin Pretty.

Yarraville Seddon’s engine room put on a stellar performance, with Akec Makur Chuot, Rachel Culvenor and ruck Maggie Logan all amongst their team’s best, along with Eagles young gun Ruby Jones, who was a major ball winner on the day.

Forward Phoebe McWilliams and rebound defender Kamala Cemeljic also received recognition for their efforts at each end of the ground.

As the curtains close on the 2025 season, the Lakers’ women finish as deserved champions having dominated the competition with an unbeaten run of wins across the year.

For Yarraville Seddon, despite missing out on the premiership cup, it’s a proud new chapter of history for their women’s program — a maiden Grand Final appearance.

Grand Final – Caroline Springs def Yarraville Seddon

Final Score
Caroline Springs: 3.1 8.2 8.3 10.8 (68)
Yarraville Seddon: 2.1 4.3 5.3 8.3 (51)

Goal Kickers
Caroline Springs: Mira Diab 6, Jacinta Kondis, Nikki Perrett, Angelina Petaia, Nyomi Stowers.
Yarraville Seddon: Phoebe McWilliams 3, Armani Mauriohooho 2, Xanthe Chard, Kayla Dingle, Katelyn Kissack.

Best Players
Caroline Springs: Mira Diab, Akima Manoah, Taya Meiers, Nyomi Stowers, Caitlin Pretty.
Yarraville Seddon: Akec Makur Chuot, Ruby Jones, Phoebe McWilliams, Rachel Culvenor, Kamala Cemeljic, Maggie Logan.