Hawks, Friars, Warriors divisional champions

Meg Saultry

Division 1

Hawthorn AFC made it back-to-back flags for the club, beating Ivanhoe by 24 points at Elsternwick Park Oval in Sunday’s Division 1 decider. The Hawks started strong with Laura Castleden opening proceedings with the first major of the day, before a contested standstill in the second term meant neither side added a goal to their tallies. The Ivies kickstarted their attack in the third term, when Tahlia Day kicked truly to close the margin down to seven points, but it would ultimately prove the Ivies last, with final quarter goals to Hawthorn’s Molly Johnston and Lauren Cosson sealing the win for the brown and gold. Hawthorn’s Penny Brown won back-to-back Best on Ground medals with her performance, while Cosson and Diamantina Kloufetos also starred.  The win is the Hawks second in two years, after they beat St Kevin’s by 17 points in the Women’s Development Division 4 decider last year.

Best on Ground Medal: Penny Brown (Hawthorn AFC)

Division 2

Whitefriars FC celebrated their inaugural season in style by taking out the Division 2 Premiership with a 21-point victory over Old Melburnians at Trevor Barker Oval on Sunday. Accuracy won out in the end, with OMFC’s 2.9 split failing to match the Friars straight seven majors. Eilish Boyd opened the match with the Friars first of the day, before OMFC’s Isabelle Smith switched the lead before the first siren with her own shot on goal. Two unanswered goals to the Friars in the second term put the anvy and gold ahead at half time, though OMFC’s Georgia Dunlop minimised the damage early in the third term. But it was the Friars from then on out, with the side kicking the last four goals of the game to take the result beyond doubt. Boyd stood tall on the big stage with her four goal haul for the Friars, alongside Best on Ground honours, with Kate Tull also a stand out. For the defeated OMFC, it was Athena Williamson and Clare Fraser who impressed.

Best on Ground Medal: Eilish Boyd (Whitefriars)

Division 3

Two final quarter goals gifted the Westbourne Grammarians’ their first Division 3 flag, with the club running out 11 point winners over Preston Bullants at Trevor Barker Oval on Sunday morning. Having beat the Bullants just over a month ago in the home and away season, the Warriors backed it up with another win over the minor premiers on the biggest occasion of all.  The Bullants started well early, albeit inaccurately, posting 1.4 on the board in the opening term, before the Warriors responded with their own unanswered 1.5 to take a one point lead into the main break. With each side slotting a goal a piece in the third ‘premiership’ quarter and with scores remaining separated by a lone point, it was the Warriors who found that something extra to kick the two goals and cement the victory. Brianna Herman booted two goals for the Warriors, while teammate Lauren Spark was judged Best on Ground. Melissa Halton and Jacara Thomas admirably led the Bullants, with both adding to their teams’ score.

Best on Ground: Lauren Spark (WG)