Eastern Football League senior women’s reporter Tash Gunawardana caught up with four of the Deakin University Eastern Region Women’s premiership coaches after the deciders last weekend.
Premier Division – Mick Carusi (Chirnside Park):
“Ticked that final box off, it was terrific. Well deserved, a lot of hard work. The first half of footy was certainly a very good exhibition of senior women’s footy, it was a great standard. We certainly started to get the better of them in the third quarter and that momentum sort of pushed through into the fourth. A lot of smiling faces and tears too, we have been in the system for a few years and that is our first bit of silverware. I’m pleased for the team, our volunteers, our supporters and members. It’s something we are really proud of, but a lot of hard work. The end result is part and parcel of a lot of things coming together for us as a club with the strengthening of two teams. Our Premier Reserve made the semi finals but as much as they did not progress through, they will be better for it in 2020 and all of us have learnt that.”
Chirnside Park 2.3, 2.3, 7.7, 11.8 (74)
Whitehorse Suns 0.2, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8 (8)
Division 1 – Tracey Lackman (South Croydon):
“The team has developed so much this season. Last year we finished fifth and I’d told them if we work hard and stay committed, we will get the flag this year. For the team, finishing second this year wasn’t enough. The Basin had played great football all year and deserved a spot in the Grand Final – just as much as we did. We gave it everything in that final game and came out one better. I would like to thank all the South Croydon players that were unable to play in the grand final. Without the team effort through the year we wouldn’t have made it all the way.
They are a very tight playing group and back each other on and off the field. Like most teams, we had a lot of injuries towards the end of the season so we had to shuffle positions around.
The girls took it on and adapted well, some playing better football in their new roles. South definitely came out with a hunger to win (and) everything we had practiced at training shone in that game. The run ons, linking handballs, shots on goal, movement of the ball, structures, protecting our team mates, building walls and our tackles. Every player did an amazing job!
Those last five minutes of the game were heart-stopping. Hearing all of our supporters cheering the girls on is unforgettable. In the last couple of minutes, Holly Oldfield’s ‘fist pump mark’ in front of goal followed by her kicking the winning goal is something that will stick with the team and all of our supporters for years to come. I am very proud to have been their coach the past two years and being a part of club history both as the inaugural coach and now premiership coach is a fantastic feeling that I will never forget. This team is the first women’s team to win a premiership at South Croydon Football Club. Next year we are looking to field two teams and continue developing women’s football in our area.”
South Croydon 1.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.4 (28)
The Basin 2.1, 2.4, 3.4, 3.6 (24)
North Division – Joel Stephens (North Ringwood):
“It was fantastic, all of the girls were very excited because a lot of them have never played footy to start with before and the week that led up we prepared really well. We utilised the break well, as we knew Park Orchards had to play the game the week before. We were ready to go from the start and I knew the first 5-10 minutes the intensity would be really high and hot around the contest and we managed to be the first to the ball. Our backs kept really strong like we have all year, they were put under pressure a fair bit in that first quarter, but I said to them we can take it quarter by quarter and win every single quarter we will win the match, so I sort of made it a little bit more specific. The next quarter (second) was probably the best our forwards have functioned all year and Taylor who was best on ground I think she managed one or two in that quarter. After half time they dropped their heads and we started piling on the goals and in the last quarter we had the game won but the opposition kept on coming. After the win, the girls were ecstatic and partied on for a few days.”
North Ringwood 1.1, 4.3, 6.5, 10.9 (69)
Park Orchards 1.0, 1.0, 2.1, 2.3 (15)
South Division – Sean Alston (Rowville):
“I was very proud of the way they responded late in the third quarter when SBL had the momentum after taking the lead on the back of two quick goals. They showed great resolve and grit to adapt to the conditions quickly when they changed. Having two players out from the semi final affected our structure quite a bit but they took it in their stride incredibly well. The way they slow played the game in the last six minutes to protect our lead showed great composure and maturity. They were desperate for the win and it showed!”
Rowville Hawks 1.0, 2.1, 3.1, 4.2 (26)
SBL Wolves 0.3, 0.6, 2.7, 2.7 (19)
Meanwhile, in the Outer East Division, Healesville claimed the premiership with a 42-point win over Monbulk.
Healesville 3.1, 4.1, 6.2, 8.2-50
Monbulk 0.1, 1.1, 1.1, 1.2-8
Healesville:
Goal Kickers: D. Jones 3, J. Petersen 3, D. Watson, C. Martin
Best Players: D. Jones, A. Bryan, J. Petersen, K. Laidlaw, D. Watson, I. Renouf
Monbulk:
Goal Kickers: M. Dodd
Best Players: M. Horne, S. Turner, G. Seamer, S. Foots, I. Bakker
The Bloods completed the perfect season with a grand final victory last weekend. Photo: Healesville FNC
