LAKERS, SHARKS WIN PREMIERSHIPS
By KEL ROWE
Caroline Springs and Point Cook Centrals have been crowned premiers in the Victoria University Polytechnic Senior Women’s Division 1 and 2 competitions respectively.
In the first Grand Final at Yarraville Oval on Saturday, the Sharks set the tone from the opening siren, and despite the dewy conditions, applied some serious forward pressure.
The Lakers defensive line responded in kind, forcing their opponents scoring shots wide, so the opening quarter finished with six behinds to zero.
Following the first break, Point Cook Centrals broke the game open, out muscling their competition to hit the scoreboard with four majors to one by halftime.
Caroline Springs made some ground back, via goals in the final two quarters, but the Sharks were just too strong across the ground and ran away with a 37-point win.
Shark sharpshooter Mandy Seath showed why she topped the leading goal kicker tally this season, collecting five goals across the game, whilst Mary Daw was at her defensive best, foiling any attempts that the Caroline Springs side made to penetrate their scoring end — earning herself the Best on Ground medal.
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Laker Anthea Stathakis stood tall under the pump of the Centrals’ backline, nabbing two goals for her side. Mickayla Aquilina was also courageous through the middle.
The second Grand Final of the day — bookending the day’s proceedings at Yarraville Oval — saw Division 1 rivals Caroline Springs and Spotswood go head-to-head. The same two teams also played in the 2019 decider.
A tough first half ensued following the opening ball-up, with Spotswood striking first via the boot of Tamsyn Kirk. A very even contest saw both teams make forward 50 entries, met by physicality at each end of the ground. By halftime, the Wolves had edged in front by just two-points.
Following the main break, and a rousing half-time speech, Caroline Springs lifted — slotting two goals, turning the momentum in their favour.
An outstanding effort from the Lakers forward line, led by the efforts of Jess Franke, saw the team finish with four additional majors on the score board, and an elusive premiership, locked in by their 38-point victory.
Nikki Perrett was instrumental for her side, playing with immense tackling pressure, her hard-at-the-ball attitude earning her the Best on Ground medal at the conclusion of the game.
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