Finals are here for the Senior Women’s competition! All five divisions take the field this Sunday across three venues, Media Manager Ryan Long and Josh Ward take a look and preview each final.
Premier Division
Second Semi-Final: Eastern Devils v South Croydon @H.E Parker Reserve
Head-to-Head Record:
Round 4 – Eastern Devils 6.5 41 def. South Croydon 3.3 21 @Mulgrave Reserve
Round 13 – South Croydon 5.2 32 def. Eastern Devils White 4.2 26 @Cheong Park
Summary:
The two best sides of the 2024 season are set to face off in a third final in the space of three years. It’s the back-to-back premiers, the Eastern Devils, taking on South Croydon in what is set to be another great chapter in the club’s rivalry.
The Devils on a quest for history, have lost just one game in the last two seasons.
Last year’s Premier Division best and fairest winner, Olivia Aing, has been in terrific form leading up to this year’s finals series.
Up forward, Shelly Beggs and Ashleigh Allsopp are set to provide the South Croydon defence with a massive challenge but across the board, their goalkickers are well spread out with many players possessing the ability to finish up with multiple majors on the day.
At the other end of the ground, Taylah Black and Tanikka Martin have been unstoppable in 2024, combining for 74 goals. However, don’t be surprised if Amy Grimwade the match-winner on Sunday, she enters the finals in red-hot form, with 7 goals in the last three games and in the best each time.
The Dogs will be without some of their VFLW talent that were crucial in the side’s win over the Eastern Devils three weeks ago. But the side led by Brooke Smith is still a highly experienced and talented group that has a big chance in this finals series.
Most times these two sides meet, these aren’t the most high-scoring affairs. Expecting the intensity around the contest to be high, a close game, crucial for South Croydon to be either in front or very close at Half Time if they’re to book the first spot in this year’s Premier Division Grand Final.
– Ryan Long
Tip: Eastern Devils by 14 points.
First Semi-Final: Whitehorse v South Belgrave @H.E Parker Reserve
Head-to-Head Record:
Round 3 – South Belgrave 5.1 31 def. Whitehorse 2.6 18 @Springfield Park
Round 14 – South Belgrave 4.9 33 def. Whitehorse 4.2 26 @Belgrave Sth Recreation Reserve–
Summary:
In back-to-back weeks Whitehorse and South Belgrave will meet. Last weekend, South Belgrave held on for a seven-point win and continued their winning streak over the Pioneers. Considering accuracy, 3.9 kicked in a twilight fixture, that result could have been a little bigger.
Jemma Mason was best on the ground once again, continuing her outstanding run of form, while Olivia Flanagan finished off with three goals.
Looking at South Belgrave’s line-up for Sunday’s game, there are plenty of matchwinners. Olivia Flanagan is a standout, finishing the last month of the season in the side’s best, contributing 9 goals to take her season tally to 31. The side missing their skipper Baylie Withers over the last two weeks has certainly made things a little more difficult in defence.
Whitehorse hasn’t made too many changes from last week’s clash. Despite that result not going their way, they’ll take plenty of confidence out of the fact they weren’t far off the pace. Their form leading up to the finals series hasn’t been the greatest, compared to the middle part of the season where they even managed to knock off South Croydon.
Amanda Tessari remains one of the keys to the side, and was once again very important on the weekend, one of the side’s best, also adding to the scoreboard with a couple of majors.
This is a massive step forward for the club, second full season in the Premier Division and into the finals. Have the potential to make a run like South Belgrave last season but it all starts this weekend.
Hard one to tip, leaning towards the Saints but wouldn’t be surprised if Whitehorse takes home the win.
– Ryan Long
Tip: South Belgrave by 8 points.
Division One
Second Semi-Final: Donvale v North Ringwood @H.E Parker Reserve
Head-to-Head Record:
Round 1 – North Ringwood 15.5 95 def. Donvale 2.5 17 @Quambee Reserve
Round 13 – Donvale 7.6 48 def. North Ringwood 7.4 46 @Donvale Reserve
Summary:
One of the most exciting divisions with four elite sides, all with a case to win this year’s premiership.
Donvale finished on top of the ladder having a terrific year, they guaranteed the Minor Premiership when they defeated North Ringwood just two weeks ago by two points. If that’s a preview of what to expect this weekend, we’re in for what should be an epic final.
The two sides also met earlier in the year in a North Ringwood demolition job in Round One. It’s since been looked at as an outlier with Donvale being so strong since then. Can’t take too much away from that clash.
The Magpies have been without some of their key players such as D’Amato and Jaksic.
Monica Latino has stood out once again, she has 19 goals to her name, hitting this finals series in terrific form. Other leaders such as Jess Crundall are part of the reason for the Magpies’ success in 2024.
North Ringwood’s Jess Begg is in elite form, with five goals on the weekend against Beaconsfield and has been constantly in the best, 13 times from 14 games. Ella Rhodes and Carli Forbes are once again going to be very important over the next three weeks if North Ringwood is to take out the flag.
This match will be broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube this Sunday.
One or two goals in it either way.
– Ryan Long
Tip: North Ringwood by 3 points.
First Semi-Final: Park Orchards v East Ringwood @Silvan Recreation Reserve
Head-to-Head Record:
Round 4 – Park Orchards 4.5 29 def. East Ringwood 4.3 27 @Domeney Reserve
Round 9 – Park Orchards 9.9 63 def. East Ringwood 5.8 38 @East Ringwood Reserve
Round 14 – Park Orchards 5.4 34 def. East Ringwood 4.3 27 @Domeney Reserve
Summary:
Another massive Division One final, two sides who at their best are certainly capable of a finals run.
The Sharks only just missed out on the double chance this season due to their percentage. They enter the final on Sunday with the mental edge, having defeated the Roos on all three occasions this season.
A talented line-up, Jorja Livingstone will be one of their stars to watch on the weekend after making the VFLW Grand Final for the Western Bulldogs. An outstanding footballer who uses the ball superbly.
Kristen Bertoldi enters the weekend final off the back of six straight games in the side’s best. Skipper Alannah Boell has missed a portion of the season but she’s added plenty, being back in the side for the final three weeks of the season.
Their opposition, East Ringwood, has yet to find a way to get across the line over the Sharks, despite drawing with Donvale and beating North Ringwood twice. However, they’ve had two very close losses at Domeney Reserve this season, including last week where the scores were tied up at Three-Quarter Time.
Nicola Davidson has arguably been their most important player this year, with 19 goals, and has kicked a goal every time the Roos have met the Sharks. Also in that conversation is Paris Gebel-Lamb, the midfielder in the best on ten occasions this season. Both were outstanding in last year’s finals series with Gebel-Lamb taking home the Best on Ground medal.
East Ringwood has trailed at Half Time in all three contests this season, and cannot afford to give up another head start. If they head into the main break with a lead, they’ll back themselves to run out the game.
Still leaning towards the Sharks on this occasion, they also had the experience of playing at Silvan last year.
– Ryan Long
Tip: Park Orchards by 12 points.
Division 2
Second Semi Final: Surrey Park v Waverley Blues
Quambee Reserve is set to host the second ever final between Surrey Park and the Waverley Blues, with this weekend being the third time the two have met in 2024.
The Panthers will go in as favourites having comfortably defeated the Blues on both occasions this year and having not lost to them since Round 6 of the 2023 season.
It’s been a dominant year for Surrey, finishing undefeated in the home and away season, with a percentage north of 1000 and having only conceded a total of 104 points to date.
Waverley have set themselves as the second best side in the division and showed plenty of promise in their first meeting with the Panthers at Surrey Park Reserve.
They’ll head into this game with a similar lineup to that Round 5 game and having not lost since their Round 10 loss to Surrey at Central Reserve.
But it’s set to be a tall order for Clint Martin’s side to defeat a Surrey side who’ll be eager to book the first spot in the Division 2 Grand Final.
– Josh Ward
Tip: Surrey Park by 24 points
First Semi-Final – Montrose v Berwick
Montrose and Berwick will enter their first finals series in the women’s competition looking to keep their seasons alive when they meet at Silvan Recreation Reserve.
Shilette Baker’s side come into the Division 2 finals series as a dark horse having found some form in the second half of the season.
They’ve lost only once since Round 7 (to minor premiers Surrey Park), with one of their wins during that period coming against Berwick by 45 points at home.
One of their three losses in the opening half of the season came at the hands of Berwick by 12 points in Round 7. A lot has changed since that day though for the Wickers.
It still boasts one of the youngest sides across the women’s competition though, which makes them a very dangerous and unpredictable prospect.
Having lost their last three games heading into finals though by an average of 45.3 points, they’ll be up against it to cause what would be a minor upset against an in-form Dees side.
-Josh Ward
Tip: Montrose by 20 points
Division 3
Second Semi Final: Mooroolbark v Coldstream
It’s deja vu for the Mustangs and Cougars in many senses as they meet for the second consecutive week, this time in a final.
Mooroolbark will go into this finals series once again with ‘the hunted’ mantle having secured back-to-back minor premierships.
Whilst they’ve won 12 of 14 games, they’ve slightly dropped off since Round 11, winning by an average margin of 11.3 points compared to their average margin of 43.2 points in the first 10 rounds.
They also come into this game off a loss at the hands of Coldstream who locked in a double chance and a second consecutive semi-final meeting with the Mustangs.
Matt Coghlan’s side has turned it around since starting the season 1-3, losing only once (to South Croydon Red) since their Round 4 loss to Mitcham at Walker Park.
Last weekend marked the first time since Round 2 of the 2023 season that the Cougars had defeated the Mustangs.
Can Coldstream avenge their semi-final loss to them last year this weekend? They’ll certainly be confident of doing so but will still go in as very slight underdogs against the all conquering Mustangs.
-Josh Ward
Tip: Mooroolbark by 8 points
First Semi Final: South Croydon Red v Heathmont
Two sides with differing formlines in the Bulldogs and the Jets will meet in a do-or-die semi-final at Silvan Recreation Reserve.
It’s a familiar feel for the Bulldogs Division 3 side who will play in their third consecutive elimination final, with their last two attempts seeing them fall to South Belgrave’s development team.
Unlike those two games they’ll go in with plenty of momentum behind them having lost only once in the second half of the season.
They’re yet to conquer the Jets though having lost by less than a kick in both their meetings under lights this year.
Heathmont’s form heading into their first ever finals series has been shaky in recent weeks though having lost to Mitcham and North Ringwood Red respectively by a combined margin of 12 points.
But they’ll be buoyed by the fact they’ve won three times against finals sides this year and have gotten close to Mooroolbark throughout the season.
Another chapter is set to be written in the South Croydon Red and Heathmont rivalry as both look to win their first ever final in the women’s competition.
– Josh Ward
Tip: South Croydon Red by 5 points
Division Four
Second Semi-Final: Ferntree Gully v Wantirna South @H.E Parker Reserve
Head-to-Head Record:
Round 5 – Ferntree Gully 6.4 40 def. Wantirna South 6.3 39 @Templeton Reserve
Round 9 – Ferntree Gully 13.7 85 def. Wantirna South 3.4 22 @Walker Reserve
Summary:
Two great stories of the season, Ferntree Gully and Wantirna South qualify for the double chance in Division Four.
The Gully returned to the competition this season after not fielding a team last year. A new, young, exciting group has been the benchmark of the division, a defensive first side that has conceded just 119 points for the season, an incredible feat.
Breeanna Carter’s first season at senior level has been outstanding, one player that Wantirna South will need to pay plenty of attention to. 27 goals for the season and has the ability to break open a game as a match-winner. The skipper Ashleigh Hilder is another one of their stars, moving back to the club after a season with Vermont.
With just one loss for the season, Ferntree Gully enters this final as favourites, having also defeated Wantirna South twice, both times away from their home ground.
The first contest was a tale of two halves with Wantirna South’s fast finish giving the Eagles their first scare of the season. The Devils have developed nicely across the season in just their second year in the competition.
Once again, the side is filled with youth. Leading the way is Wantirna South’s Kamryn Disney, 18 goals and 9 times in the best. Her ability to dominate in the ruck and push forward to hit the scoreboard when needed has been one of her biggest strengths.
The side has proved themselves as a real contender, especially after putting away finals contenders such as Bayswater and Warrandyte in recent weeks. It’s another remarkable rise for a side so new to the competition.
Wantirna South can certainly match it with Ferntree Gully but they will need a full four-quarter performance to get across the line this weekend. A great test but tipping the Eagles off their outstanding Home and Away season form.
– Ryan Long
Tip: Ferntree Gully by 22 points.
First Semi-Final: Fairpark v Bayswater @Silvan Recreation Reserve
Head-to-Head Record:
Round 3: Bayswater 2.12 24 def. Fairpark 3.4 22 @Fairpark Reserve
Round 11: Bayswater 5.1 31 def. Fairpark 4.6 30 @Bayswater Oval
Summary:
One of the more intriguing finals clashes.
Two games this season that were decided by less than a goal. Despite both being in favour of Bayswater, there isn’t much that separates them.
It’s been another of the great stories of the Senior Women’s season seeing Bayswater’s return to the competition. Jenna White has been a standout, frequently listed as the best, one of many who have transferred across from Aquinas in 2024.
Katie Cameron has provided them with some scoring power, 12 goals and has been selected in the best every single game she’s played in.
As for Fairpark, it’s a strong line-up that the Lions have put together for tomorrow’s game. Sarah Birthisel has been such a key focal point up forward, this season’s leading goalkicker. She finished with two goals on both occasions against Bayswater.
Abbey Croot was one of the Lions most important players in their 2023 season, she’s carried that form into the new year.
The Lions have had experience at Silvan Rec Reserve, playing in an Elimination Final last season against the Tigers. How much does the experience help? We’ll find out on Sunday.
Just leaning towards the Lions on this occasion but both are a genuine chance this weekend. It will be a game of momentum, whoever can use it well when they have it will go a long way towards winning this contest.
– Ryan Long
Tip: Fairpark by 1 point.
