Westbourne clinch Division 4 flag!

After 18 enthralling weeks of Division 4 Women’s football, the Old Yarra Cobras and Westbourne Grammarians met in the Grand Final on the first Sunday in September. It was only right that the first-placed Cobras faced off against a high-flying third-placed Westbourne, two teams in red-hot finals form.

As expected, the first 5-minutes of the contest was a tight-tussle for clean possession. Kensley Ward broke the deadlock with the first major of the Grand Final for Westbourne. The ball was in the right hands again soon after, as Ward made it an early double in the first term kicking truly to give her side a 12-point advantage mid-way through the first quarter.

The scoring wave continued for Westbourne but squandered three-more opportunities in front of goal. A handy 15-point lead was opened for Westbourne at the first break.

The slow-starting Cobras was short-lived, with a couple of deep forward-50 entries resulting in a couple of minor scores. However, the contest tightened up again with repeat stoppages characterizing much of the second quarter. No further scoring was done for the second term, with the Cobras trailing by 13-points at the main break.

When the game was on the line, Westbourne’s leaders were incredibly influential. Jazmyn Mathers, Ashleigh Pearson, and Montana Dumesny provided some much-needed run for their side, allowing for Emilia to kick truly to start the third quarter strongly. Dumesny found herself in the right place at the right time to split the middle and extend Westbourne’s lead to a game high 27-point lead. With the game beginning to feel out of touch, Old Yarra’s Hilary Donelan hit back with a goal of her own to cut the margin to 21-points at three quarter time.

21-points was not an insurmountable task for the Cobras. This task was made easier with an early fourth quarter goal at the scoring end of the ground. Opportunity was coming thick and fast for the Cobras, who were full of belief that they could make a late charge at the flag. Despite having four shots on goal to Westbourne’s zero, only points were registered for the Cobras.

It was a case of what might have been for the Cobras who left their run a little too late in the end. Agony for Old Yarra, ecstasy for Westbourne! Westbourne Grammarians are the Division 4 Women’s 2025 champions!

Westbourne have been one of the dominant teams all year and got their taste of redemption in the Grand Final after losing to Old Yarra only two weeks ago. The Cobras finished on top of the ladder and just fell at the final hurdle.

Can’t wait to see what’s in store next year for a significantly improving division four competition!