A day to remember: 4 clubs complete perfect seasons, while Old Scotch go back-to-back

It’s been three long years since we last awarded Premierships for Premier B to Division 3 Women’s. Over the weekend just gone we were able to recognise the feats and celebrate the seasons of five sections kickstarting a big month of celebrations with finals fever in the air.

PREMIER B – Fitzroy def by. Old Scotch

Old Scotch made the grand final from 4th position after a stirring last quarter full of goal highlights last week against Old Brighton. 

Fitzroy finished the season on top of the ladder and had beaten Old Scotch twice this season, by 6 points and 4 points. 

The Cardinals were the only women’s team capable of claiming ‘back to back’ premierships, having defeated Old Brighton for the 2019 Division 1 title. And, they’ve come out on top against Fitzroy coming from behind with four goals in the second half to snatch victory from the Roys.

Two goals each to Millie Fraser-Smith and Alex Theodosi helped the Cardinals clinch the flag. While Lucy Morley was named best afield in the victory. 

PREMIER C – St Bedes/Mentone def. Parkdale

In Premier C, St Bedes/Mentone Tigers finished the home and away year with just 96 points kicked against them, an average of 6.8 points per game. They came into the big dance on a 15 game winning streak, and were looking to complete the perfect season.

Their opponents, Parkdale, know all about winning streaks, having risen up the ranks from Division 4 where they were 9-0 at the end of the 2021 abandoned season. 

After a very tight opening half where scores were locked at 1.1.7 apiece, it was SBMT who busted the game open and ran away after half time. Madi Wilson (2), and Brittini Donaldson (2) were the main culprits as part of the Tigers surge. Donaldson was named the best player on the ground in the Tigers 16th straight win to complete the perfect season. 

DIVISION 1 – Beaumaris def. Old Camberwell

Beaumaris completed the perfect season of 16-0 beating Old Camberwell who made the grand final from third spot, overcoming 2019 Division 2 Premiers Therry Penola in the first semi by 2 points, and then upsetting Old Haileybury in the Preliminary Final.

Last time they met, Beaumaris held Old Camberwell goalless. This time around the Wellers kicked a goal in the opening quarter, but weren’t able to convert another for the day as the Sharks produced a 24 point victory to claim the title. 

Rosalind Byrne (2), and Sam McLean (2) were the mainstays in front of goal. McLean capping off a stellar year finishing with 42 goals for the season. 

DIVISION 2 – Hampton Rovers def. Albert Park

In Division 2, Hampton have the longest current winning streak in the VAFA, having now won 25 games straight since their last loss in the 2019 Division 3 Women’s Grand Final. 

Albert Park have performed incredibly well after being elevated in Round 3 from Division 3 to Division 2. It was an historic day for the club winning their first senior women’s Premiership. 

When the teams lined up and the Australian National Anthem was played, it was a ‘shivers down your spine’ moment for sure. Rovers were seven points up going into the final quarter, but it seemed like Albert Park had all the momentum. The Rovers were able to withstand the onslaught from the Falcons to hold on by 2 points when the siren sounded. 

DIVISION 3 – MCCFC def. Bulleen Templestowe

MCC joined St Bede’s, Beaumaris, and Hampton to become the fourth Premier to complete a perfect 2022 season. Bulleen won only 3 games in 2021, it is an extraordinary effort for them to have finished second and now playing off in the Grand Final. 

Kicking off the day at Trevor Barker Oval it was a low-scoring encounter in the opening half with MCC holding a 2-point lead at half-time. The ‘Premiership quarter’ is when MCC busted open the game and pulled away from the Ants to show their Premiership dominance. 

Kicking two goals to hold a 16 point lead at the final change. Bulleen opened the scoring in the last quarter but it was too little too late as MCC took home the clubs first pennant in their short history. 

Congratulations to all Premiership sides, and all teams for getting to the Grand Final. All games were played in terrific spirit.