Williamstown CYMS soar to the finish with a perfect streak

The final round for the VAFA Premier B Women’s competition was one of hard-fought battles, surprising upsets, and a picture-perfect record from the undefeated Williamstown CYMS. Aquinas OC pulled off a gritty win over St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, Old Geelong delivered a commanding performance, and Fitzroy overwhelmed Old Xaverians.

In a game that had all the makings of an upset, Aquinas OC dug deep to claim a thrilling 7.4 (46) – 5.8 (38) victory over St Bedes/Mentone Tigers. The result was a testament to Aquinas’ resilience and ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most.

From the opening bounce, Aquinas set the tone with fierce tackling and relentless pressure around the contest. The midfield was instrumental, winning critical clearances and driving their team forward with precision kicking. The forward line was constantly threatening when in front of the big sticks, using their agility and sharp footwork to find space and hit the scoreboard. Aquinas’ backline held firm under pressure, repelling wave after wave of Tigers’ attacks in the dying minutes.

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, who came into the match as favourites, found themselves on the back foot early but managed to claw their way back into the contest. Eliza Cooper, Mizuki Roche, and Erin Carroll led the charge, combining several key plays that kept the Tigers within striking distance. However, their inability to convert crucial opportunities in the final quarter proved costly.

Old Geelong put on an exhibition of attacking football, cruising to a dominant 13.7 (85) – 2.2 (14) win over Beaumaris. From the outset, Old Geelong looked a class above, executing their game plan with precision and ruthlessness.

Leanora Aruci, Juliet Grant, and Zoe Allen were the standout performers, consistently dominating the contest and setting the tempo for the match. Their ability to win the ball in tight and distribute effectively to their teammates was key to Old Geelong’s success. Up forward, Matilda Arthur and Sophia McCarthy put on a clinic, kicking four goals apiece.

Beaumaris struggled to match Old Geelong’s intensity and ball movement. Despite their best efforts and the performances of key players, including Livinia Stockdale, Cassandra Newman, and Taylah Tysoe, the visitors were unable to generate meaningful forward momentum. Their defence, overwhelmed by Old Geelong’s relentless pressure, found it difficult to contain the home side’s potent forward line.

Williamstown CYMS consolidated their undefeated streak for the season with a dominant 12.5 (75) – 3.6 (24) victory over Westbourne Grammarians. The ladder leaders once again demonstrated why they are the team to beat, combining defensive steel with attacking flair to overwhelm their opponents.

The backline was rock solid in defence, with their intercept marking and ability to read the play nullifying any threat posed by the Grammarians. The midfield won contested ball and drove the team forward with relentless determination. Loren Mills and Alessia Acquaro were in fine form in front of goal, finishing with a bag of four and three goals respectively, that put the result beyond doubt. Sharnie Whiting, Camryn Tyrrell, and Marli Russell were amongst the best on ground for the match.

Westbourne Grammarians fought valiantly, with players like Kiara Henry, Joudy Joud, and Jade Desira working tirelessly throughout the match. However, they found it difficult to penetrate Williamstown’s disciplined defensive structure and struggled to convert their forward entries into goals.

This win not only keeps Williamstown CYMS’ perfect season intact but also sends a clear message to the rest of the competition: they are the benchmark, and it will take something special to stop their march toward the premiership.

Fitzroy produced a near-flawless performance to dismantle Old Xaverians 11.13 (79) – 0.1 (1) in a lopsided contest that highlighted the stark contrast between the two sides.

From the first bounce, Fitzroy asserted their dominance, controlling the game with clean ball use and relentless pressure. Stephanie Demeo and Jaime Nelson were at the heart of everything, dominating contests and setting up numerous scoring opportunities. Their backline was equally impressive, providing plenty of drive off half-back and shutting down any forward thrusts from Old Xaverians.

Up forward, the Fitzroy attack was firing on all cylinders. With a spread of goalkickers, the home side was able to maintain consistent scoreboard pressure throughout the match. Nadia Conte had a field day, kicking four and getting best on ground. In contrast, Old Xaverians struggled to find their footing, managing just a solitary point for the entire game in the second quarter. Their forwards were starved of opportunities, and when they did get the ball inside 50, Fitzroy’s defence quickly snuffed out any potential threat.

With the conclusion of the regular season, the VAFA Prem B Women’s ladder has solidified, setting the stage for an exciting finals series. Williamstown CYMS finished on top with a flawless record, accumulating 64 points and establishing themselves as the team to beat. Old Geelong secured second place with 52 points, displaying consistent form throughout the season. Fitzroy, with 44 points, took third, while St Bedes/Mentone Tigers clinched the final spot in the top four with 36 points. These teams will go through to the finals in the coming weeks.

Despite their efforts, Beaumaris (24 points), Westbourne Grammarians (20 points), Aquinas OC (16 points), and Old Xaverians (12 points) missed out on finals action, ending their campaigns with a focus on rebuilding for next year.

The finals promise to deliver high-stakes action as the top four teams battle for the premiership. Williamstown will go for a clean sweep, but with all the pressure of being minor premiers, will they be knocked off their throne? Stranger things have happened in finals footy.