Cobras strike, Fitzroy fight to keep finals dream’s alive…

The first Elimination final lived up to the billing as Fitzroy edged out the Port Melbourne Chargers by 21 points at Moorleigh Reserve, 3.6 (24) to 6.9 (45).

Only separated by percentage coming into the clash, both sides played out a finals-like intensity in the first term registering 3 scoring shots each to be level 8-all at quarter time.

The second quarter deadlock was broken at the 14^th minute mark with Fitzroy kicking the opening score of the term with a behind. The Chargers responded with a point of their own soon after, but it was late in the quarter that Fitzroy goaled truly to give them a 7-point advantage at the main break.

Port Melbourne, not to be outdone, responded after half time with their third (and final) major of the afternoon to kick themselves within a point of the visitors. But from that point onwards, Fitzroy turned on the afterburners to boot back-to-back goals to widen their buffer on the home-side by 14 points late in the third term.

Fitzroy were well on their way to booking a semi-final date with the Caufield Grammarians when they converted the first two goals of the final term leaving the home-side an insurmountable task to keep their season alive.

Among the Chargers’ best in the losing cause were Charlie Pritchard (1 goal), Jemima Ross (1 goal), Mili Ledgerwood, Lisa Gooding, and Ginger Cornish-Treloar. Instrumental in Fitzroy’s victory was Pippi Aucur, Alice Becker-Scott, Jessica Calvert, Thea-Wilkinson-Shore, Cleo Bigwood, and Catherine Turnbull.

The 21-point winners will have the week ahead to reset and shift their focus to a bruised Caufield Grammarians side in Saturday’s first semi-final.

Old Yarra Cobras have signaled their intentions as a premiership contender with a 9-point victory over Caufield Grammarians in a low-scoring qualifying final.

Caufield started the game positively booting two majors in a hurry. This early advantage was wiped away quickly by the visitors who responded with two of their own, leaving the Grammarians lead at just two points at the first break.

The game’s free-scoring nature was briefly ceased as neither side kicked a goal for the second term. Caufield had their opportunities in front of goal but misfired three times to lead by 5-points at the main change.

The Grammarians’ failure to goal with the wind behind their backs proved costly in the third term as Old Yarra goaled early in the third term to level the scoring. A fourth consecutive behind kicked by the hosts to even the ledger at three-quarter-time meant we were in for a thrilling final term.

Cobras’ vice-captain April Jones and forward Debra Loughnan got busy in the final term when their team needed it the most. Their pressure in the contest was critical in converting the game’s most decisive goal to break the deadlock. The Grammarians’ ability to move the ball at-will, was stifled in the last quarter to the extent that they were kept scoreless.

Jacqui Morton, Sonyna San, Carly Jevric, Bianca Lawrence, Bree Pascoe, and Kimberly Lyth all had key roles in shifting the momentum the Cobras’ way in the last quarter. The ability to stand-up under pressure in their most important quarter of the year was particularly admirable, holding them in good stead to properly contend for the flag in Season 2025.

Their 9-point nail-biter means the Cobras will face the minor premiers in Westbourne Grammarians in the semifinal.

Final’s football in Division 4 Women’s is heating up and the race is wide open for a spot in the Grand Final. Looking ahead to semifinal weekend, this is how the two contests are shaping up:

Semi Final 1 sees Caulfield Grammarians come up against a plucky Fitzroy for only their second encounter this season. These two sides met back in Round 5 with the Roys coming away with a 20-point victory over their counterpart. Their second match up that was scheduled for Round 12 was a non-event with Fitzroy forfeiting the match. With little match history, this game is quite up in the air and is anyone’s for the taking to secure a spot in the Prelim Final, with the risk of a final’s elimination on the line.

Similarly, the two sides taking the field in Semi Final 2 have only one game against each other in their 2025 match history with the Cobras getting the job done over Westbourne back in Round 11 in a low scoring affair. The come from behind victory for Old Yarra should give them some confidence coming up against the ladder leaders in a final. The winner of this match up will secure the first spot in this year’s Division 4 Women’s Grand Final, with the losing side set to face the winner of the first Semi in a Preliminary Final.