SENIOR WOMEN SCORE GRAND FINAL THRILLERS
By KEL ROWE
Women’s footy is alive and well in the West, with not one but two Premierships claimed by mere points, as blockbuster grand finals were played out in both the VU Polytechnic Senior Women’s Division 1 and 2 competitions on Sunday.
The morning kicked off with the Division 2 Grand Final between minor premiers Wyndhamvale and contenders West Footscray. The Falcons claimed their spot in the first week of finals, defeating Spotswood in an epic extra time battle two weeks earlier, whilst the Roosters had to get to the big dance the hard way, winning two thrilling finals to make it to the final hit out.
The Roosters kicked off proceedings with a bang, thanks to the efforts of on-baller Roxana Sefton and Sarah Roberts in ruck. Angel Noone worked tirelessly through the middle for the Falcons, keeping her opponents accountable, and expertly reading the fall of the Sherrin to turn possession in favour of her side.
At three-quarter time, the scene seemed set with the Roosters holding ascendancy and a comfortable lead 2-goal lead, thanks to the excellent forward craft of small Jemma Hay (3), but the Falcons surged home, determined not to bow out without a fight.
Kellee McIntosh slotted home her 3rd major for the day, and the momentum swung back in favour of the Falcons. With mere minutes on the clock, the scores were level at 41-points, thanks to a classy set shot sent soaring through the big sticks off the boot of Falcon Rachael Burton. The game was anyone’s to win.
A tussle out of the centre bounce saw the ball stream into the Roosters’ forward 50. After much desperation, Hay was able to get boot to ball and shift the differential to one-point. The Roosters locked-in, and by the final siren, the score was in favour of West Footscray, 6.7-43 to 6.5-41. Hay was named best on ground for her match-winning efforts.
To close out the day, the Division 1 Senior Women’s final brought spectators a repeat of last year’s match-up and the third Grand Final battle between two original rivals of the Western Region Football League — Spotswood and Caroline Springs.
After a strong season, Spotswood cemented their spot in the final game with a 2-goal win over Werribee Centrals, whilst Caroline Springs took the long road, beating both the Centrals outfit and the Spurs to claim the chance to defend their 2022 title.
In another thrilling display of footy, the two sides went toe-to-toe, matching each other in skill and strategy in the first half of the game. The 3rd quarter saw the Wolves edge away, only for the Lakers to kick back in the 4thquarter.
Shekeine De Satge and Kyah Tessari starred for the Lakers, with De Satge kicing two majors for her side. Spotswood’s Mel Freeman was huge in defense, whilst her teammate Maddison Cooper kicked two goals and helped turn the momentum of the game in the Wolves favour.
With just a minute to go, and the ball was locked dangerously into the Lakers’ forward 50, Mia Graff blocked a certain goal to seal the 1-point win for Spotswood, the first grand final triumph for the club since 2019. Final scores were 5.5-35 to 5.4-34, and Maddison Cooper was rewarded for her efforts with a best on ground medal.