Blues burst into big dance

The preliminary final for the Div 1 Women’s Competition saw Monash Blues host Whitefriars in a tightly contested game. The Blues headed into the game off the back of a 32-point loss at the hands of Glen Eira/Old McKinnon, whilst Whitefriars came in riding a wave of momentum after they kicked Oakleigh out of finals in a shocking yet impressive victory.

However, this week it was the Blues who ran out victorious and will once again match up with the Gryphs in the grand final, after beating Whitefriars by seven points.

It was a tightly contested game, with just a few goals scored in the first quarter: the Friars holding a one goal advantage. In a scrappy low scoring affair, it was a game of inches with every scoring opportunity crucial to hold even a minor advantage. The Blues tied things up in the second to keep the spectators on the edge of their seats: 13-apiece.

The premiership quarter saw the needle move ever so slightly back the way of Whitefriars with their one goal getting the better of Monash’s two behinds registered in the quarter.

However, the Blues capitalised when it mattered most kicking 1.5 in the last quarter whilst Whitefriars remained scoreless. Their strong offensive and defensive quarter proved why the Blues have been one of the teams to beat all season.

Ilaria Akers, Sophie Smith and Kaitlyn Wallace were best on ground for Whitefriars, whilst captain Caitlin Ryan, Meave Bohanna and Bella Giannangelo kicked their goals. Sarah Jade-Rose was best on ground and also kicked a goal for the Blues, with Tiarna Jericho and Caitlin Williams also impressive.

Unfortunately for Whitefriars, it is the second consecutive year in a row they have faced a gut wrenching preliminary final defeat. Whitefriars fell to the Hampton Rovers last season after finishing second on the ladder, and find themselves once again bowing out of the finals early.

As for the Blues, they were a real wildcard coming into this season after winning just two games in 2024. However, they have certainly returned to form and are now just win one away from securing their second premiership in three years.

Monash Blues will play the minor premiers Glen Eira/Old McKinnon at Moorleigh Reserve on Saturday afternoon at 2:30pm. It is the most hotly contested game of the year and the most important match up for these two teams to date. The two teams have met three times this season, and the Gryphons have won on all three of these occasions by an average of 17 points.

Will the Blues win when it really matters the most?