How the VAFA Wilson Women’s Preliminary Finals unfolded…

Alisha Min

William Buck Premier

Despite being unable to defeat Old Trinity on either of their two encounters during the home & away season, West Brunswick have won when it mattered most at Elsternwick Park today – downing the OT’s by nine-points in the preliminary final. Faced with the unenviable task of toppling our minor premiers, the Westies took the match in their stride from the get go, holding off a barrage of Trinity forward entries in the first quarter to trail by just three points at the opening break. Rendering Old Trinity scoreless in the second term, a solitary goal from Elise Korteman (1) enabled the Magpies to lead at halftime– a lead they would not let slip for the game’s remainder. Prolific once again in this contest, Yo Jones (29 disposals, 10 tackles) and Mel Lindsay (21 disposals) were absolute stars for the winning Westies. Meanwhile, familiar names Vanessa Murphy (19 disposals, 12 tackles), Grace Dillon (14 disposals, 18 tackles) and Imogen Barnett (1 goal, 15 disposals, 52 hit-outs) were gallant in defeat. West Brunswick will face a rested SKOB Saints in the William Buck Premier Grand Final next weekend.

Premier B

Caulfield Grammarians will progress to the Premier B Grand Final next weekend after running out eight-point winners over Monash Blues. Molly McFarlane (1) and Emma Lynch (1) got the ball rolling for the Blues in the opening term, taking a handy seven-point lead into the opening break, before Kate Macqueen showed why she’s a force to be reckoned with in the second – booting two of her side’s three majors for the afternoon. With only points scored by both teams in the latter half, Caulfield’s six-point half-time lead extended to eight points come the final siren. Old Xaverians await the Fields in the Premier B Grand Final.

Premier C

Yarra Old Grammarians will have another chance to take on Brunswick Renegades, this time for the Premier C flag, after a strong 27-point win over Canterbury in the preliminary final. Atoning for their narrow four-point loss to the ‘Gades last week, the Bushrangers fired early (and accurately) on this occasion with two majors in the opening half via Kiera Colegate (1) and Alyssia Blewonski (1), all while keeping the Cobras to a single point. Outscoring Yarra in the third term, thanks to Kiera Bulluss (1) and Julia Harvey (1), the Blues trailed by just six points at the final change of ends. Three more goals in the final term, charged by Maddison Stone’s two goals while Jacqui Morton chimed in with one, put this game to bed and enabled the YOG’s victory.

Division 1

A determined performance by Old Brighton in the Division 1 preliminary final has seen them outclass a fighting Beaumaris by 45 points. Punting an incredible 40 of their 48 points in the opening term, the Tonners were simply unstoppable – with five individual goal-scorers contributing to the final result. Isabella Eddy (3) and Lucy Grant (2) combined for five of Old Brighton’s seven goals in this contest, and will be hyped for next weekend’s Grand Final against Scotch Stars.

Division 2

Williamstown CYMS will greet Therry Penola yet again, this time in the Division 2 Grand Final, after getting the better of Westbourne Grammarians today by 22 points. A margin which could have been greater if not for inaccurate goalkicking (3.12), the CY’s showed poise throughout the game with Elizabeth Chan (1), Stephanie Basile and Tess Beagley leading by example. For the defeated Warriors, who’s fight to make finals was remarkable in itself, Lauren Spark was the sole goal-scorer and Cherlyse Yates stood tall.

Division 3

UHS-VU bow out of the Division 3 finals series in straight sets after Hampton Rovers edged a 15-point win over the minor premiers. As they have done on so many occasions this year, the Vultures were soaring early, taking an eight-point lead at the first change of ends before the Rovers nailed five goals in the second to lead by 22 points at the main break. With momentum swinging in UHS’s favour in the third, thanks to Alison Boyce and Katherine O’Rielly, the Vultures slotted two goals to set up a blockbuster final term. If the Rovers were nervy heading into the fourth quarter, knowing they were yet to best the Vultures at any point during the season, they didn’t show it as they furthered their eight-point 3QT margin to 15 points by the game’s conclusion. The Rovers, who had Tarryn Hurst (3) and Zara Phillips (3) prevalent in the forward-line and Bianca Lenarcic named as best in this battle, will feature in the Division 3 Grand Final against Preston Bullants.

Division 4

Division 4 silverware will be up for grabs next weekend, with Glen Eira/Old McKinnon and Ajax battling for the title, following the Jackette’s 26-point victory over Richmond Central. Kicking away early with two goals in the opening term, followed by two more majors in the latter half, the Ajax squad were out in full force in this critical contest – particularly Nomi Blum with two majors from her own boot. Standout performances from Ajax’s Hayley Mrocki, Amy Sekler and Lindi Nankin couldn’t go unnoticed as they promulgated a pressure-filled team performance which kept the Snakes goalless for the match entirety.