Week one of Finals locked in as massive clash looms

It had been looming for weeks now, but it is officially locked in that Old Brighton and Marcellin will go head-to-head in a massive week one finals clash down at Elsternwick Park on Saturday afternoon.

Both teams go into the final off the back of commanding wins this week, with Old Brighton defeating Old Melburnians by 73 points and Marcellin defeating Old Haileybury by 61 points.

The final four are confirmed and despite a slip in the back end of the season and not recording a win since Round 8, Collegians claim fourth spot and will feature in the first round of finals. Old Melburnians and Old Haileybury unlucky to miss out in a six-team comp, with some standout performances in 2024.

After showing such strong form in the final rounds of the season, Old Melburnians were dished a reality check by the form team of the competition as they were held to two goals for the entire game. Comparatively, Old Brighton put on a kicking masterclass with 14.5 for the game, scoring a minimum of three goals each quarter.

It was another commanding display from Lily and Jasmine Tait, with Lily Tait a clear best on ground with four goals. This takes her tally for the year to a massive 40 goals, with a career tally of 65 and her eleventh appearance in the best players.

Lucy Grant was also a massive influence, kicking five goals of her own in a career best game, whilst Lucy Mitchell had two goals.

Whilst it is season over for Old Melburnians, they will have some key takeaways as they head into the off season off the back of an impressive last four weeks. Old Brighton will be full of confidence heading into the game against Marcellin and whilst they narrowly lost to them in Round 15, expect this game to be a thriller.

Across town, Marcellin also registered another impressive win over now wooden-spooners Old Haileybury. Whilst they kicked 13 goals for the game, there was eight behinds registered as well. Pretty accurate, but if they are to defeat Old Brighton on the weekend it is something they’ll have to improve on in the coming days.

Zoe Glascott once again kicked multiple goals, adding another three to her tally to finish the home and away season with 56 goals and claim the Division 1 Women’s leading goal kicker. It’s going to be a great watch to see her and Lily Tait in action on Saturday: a certified goal-fest. It’s been an impressive season for Glascott, kicking almost double last year’s goal tally and is guaranteed a spot in that Team of the Year forward pocket.

Captain Alana Pane had a big game, leading from the front with three goals. Great to see the captain in strong form heading into next week’s big game.

Unfortunately for Old Haileybury it is season over and they will look to work on their game plan across the off season ready to return in 2025.

Marcellin will be confident but wary heading into Saturday’s match up as they beat Old Brighton just last weekend and look to defend their flag.

The final game on Saturday eventuated to be a finals preview: Collegians vs Parkdale Vultures, and it is safe to say Collegians have a lot of work to do before they come up against Parkdale again on Saturday.

Collegians have not registered a win since Round 8 and have been held goalless for the entire game three times across that period, including on Saturday. Collegians actually finish the home and away season with a lower percentage than Old Melburnians and Old Haileybury and had Melburnians won on the weekend, Collegians would be out of the finals.

Parkdale bounced back from a tough loss to Old Melburnians, kicking 14.14. It was a massive second quarter, with 6.2 after starting the game off with 1.6. That sort of game style could see them progress to the preliminary finals.

Sienna Symons was the difference, kicking a huge bag of eight goals to be clear best on ground. It was also her first time kicking multiple goals since Round 11 as she marks a return to form at the perfect time. Lucy Burgess and Isabella Daddo were also impressive.

Parkdale will be confident as they play Collegians again on Saturday, vying for a place in the preliminary final, whilst Collegians will have to snap out of their form slump quickly if they are to pose any threat to the premiership cup.