By Tash Gunawardana
There is plenty to look forward to ahead of this weekend’s finals with some sides featuring in their first ever final. Excitement is in the air, and we cannot wait to see the best EFNL women’s footballers put on a great showcase of women’s footy.
Premier Division Finals:
South Croydon vs Vermont: What a final we have in store for us at HE Parker Reserve between South Croydon and Vermont. Both teams finished the season regular on eight wins and this final shapes up to be a top-notch contest. The last time South Croydon and Vermont met was back in round 10 and South Croydon defeated Vermont by 27-points at Cheong Park. In Round 10, Vermont’s inaccurate goal kicking was what let them down as Vermont had nine scoring shots, kicking 2.7.19 to South Croydon’s 7.4.46, so on Saturday Vermont will hope they have their kicking boots on. Vermont will need to have a plan in place to stop South Croydon forward and equal second Premier Division goal kicking leader Taylah Black. On Saturday, expect a match that may go down to the wire as both teams have showed throughout the season that once they get going in matches, they both play exciting brands of footy.
South Croydon – “Looking forward to a big finals clash with Vermont this weekend,” South Croydon Coach Simon Hammersley said. “Our sides are very evenly matched and have not been separated by more than a couple of goals in five games through the past couple of years. Our form has been a bit erratic in 2022, but the side is geared up for this game as will be Vermont. Toss the coin and strap yourselves in, it should be a cracking game.”
Vermont – “We’ve had seesawing games with Sth Croydon, and are building up a nice little rivalry,” Vermont Coach Tim Da Silveria said. “They had the wood over us last game, but we’re confident we can turn the tables here.”
Tip: South Croydon
Eastern Devils vs Mount Evelyn: We have a mouth-watering top of the table first final between the Eastern Devils and Mount Evelyn at HE Parker Reserve. The Eastern Devils were the premier team of the Premier Division all season, only losing one game. Mount Evelyn were second with nine wins and five losses. Yes, it’s been a tough task for opposition teams to topple the might of Eastern Devils as they are a strong side offensively and defensively, but Mount Evelyn defeated Eastern Devils the last time the two sides played each other in Round Nine by 14 points. Mount Evelyn will take a lot of confidence from this into the final knowing that they do have what it takes to overcome the formidable Eastern Devils.
Tip: Eastern Devils
Premier B Finals:
The Basin vs Boronia: The Basin tackles Boronia in the first Premier B final at Quambee Reserve. The Basin will head into the match as slight favourites as they secured six wins and finished third on the ladder and Boronia were fourth with four wins. It will probably be a challenge for Boronia to overcome The Basin based off this season’s form but as we know with finals, the impossible can happen and the lower placed side on the ladder can overcome the higher placed side, especially given the Hawks success over The Basin this season.
The Basin – “After a very disappointing couple of weeks, we’ve mixed things up a bit and trained the house down this week,” The Basin’s Captain Julia Baker said. “We’ve spent time reflecting and realigning our goals and hope, that we can get the job done over a very tidy Boronia outfit this weekend.”
Boronia – “After not having a finals series since 2019, it’s great to have finals football back in EFNL!” Boronia Coach Scott Nicholas said. “Our team is excited to play The Basin who we have had some great match ups with this season and will be concentrating on what we need to do to play our best football. Hoping to see a big crowd down at Quambee Reserve to see some great matches throughout the day!”
Tip: The Basin
Whitehorse vs Donvale: Whitehorse clashes with Donvale at Quambee Reserve in what shapes to be a classic final as both teams have been evenly matched for the whole season. Donvale defeated Whitehorse in Round One by 33 points, but Whitehorse bounced back in their most recent match up and finished the regular season on top of the Premier B ladder.
Donvale – “Exciting times at the club,” Donvale Coach Stephen Latino said. “With a year full of ups and downs, the team is raring to go for Sunday’s clash. We’ve had some great contests against Whitehorse, and we expect this to be the same.”
Tip: Whitehorse
Division One Finals:
Rowville vs Park Orchards: The undefeated Rowville takes on the second placed Park Orchards in the first Division One final at HE Parker Reserve. Rowville have been the team to beat all season in Division One and yes finals is different, but Park Orchards know they will need to bring their absolute best if they are any chance of handing Rowville their first loss of the season. The teams could not be separated the last time they met, tied at 49 points apiece.
Tip: Rowville
North Ringwood vs Beaconsfield: North Ringwood takes on Beaconsfield at Silvan Recreation Reserve. North Ringwood finished the regular season with eight wins and Beaconsfield with four wins, so North Ringwood will be huge favourites, but anything can happen on the day as ladder position does not matter on the day, it is which team wants to win more and give it their all. The two sides last met in the final round of the home and away season and North Ringwood were victorious by 30 points over Beaconsfield at Quambee Reserve.
North Ringwood – “The girls are excited to be playing finals,” North Ringwood Coach Jules Hanson said. “We have prepared well on the training track. We know that Beaconsfield are a quality team, and we also know we must bring our best.”
Tip: North Ringwood
Division Two Finals:
Knox vs East Ringwood: Knox will play against East Ringwood in the first Division Two final at Quambee Reserve. Knox has only dropped one game all season and East Ringwood knows they will need to bring their A-game if they are any chance of bringing home the finals victory over Division Two premiership favourite Knox. Last time the two teams played each other, Knox thumped East Ringwood to the tune of 45 points on their home deck at Knox Gardens Reserve. It could have been a bigger win if it was not for Knox’s wayward goal kicking of 9.16, so East Ringwood’s defensive stocks will need to stand tall and strong defensively to put a halt to Knox’s forwards taking complete control of the final.
Knox – We’re really looking forward to playing finals after achieving a strong result in the regular season,” Knox Coach PJ said. “East Ringwood have been a difficult match up all season, and this will no doubt be the case again. Finals are a different ball game, and we will need to deliver a greater intensity, as I’m sure our opponent will. I am expecting a tough, tight second semi-final.”
Tip: Knox
Surrey Park vs Kilsyth: Surrey Park faces Kilsyth at Silvan Recreation Reserve. On paper this final looks like it will be a tight contest between two sides that are evenly matched. Surrey Park and Kilsyth both concluded the regular season with six wins and they both will be eyeing off win in week one of the finals to give them confidence if either of them progresses to week two of the finals. If the last match between the two sides is anything to go by in Round 12, we are in for one hell of a final as Kilsyth won by one point over Surrey Park in what was a superb match of women’s footy at Pinks Reserve.
Kilsyth – “We meet Surrey for the fourth time this year,” Kilsyth Coach Clint Martin said. “We have a similar game style so it should be another close game. After coming off two losses the girls are ready to go.”
Tip: Surrey Park
Division Three Finals:
Croydon North MLOC vs East Burwood: Croydon North MLOC comes up against East Burwood in week one of the Division Three Finals at Quambee Reserve. We expect this clash to be a high-quality final as both teams with 11 wins, with Croydon North MLOC finishing higher based off percentage. Croydon North MLOC and East Burwood have been the envy of Division Three and we cannot wait for this final to see which team is able to get the edge over the other. The last time the two sides played each other was way back in Round Nine and Croydon North MLOC won by five points at East Burwood’s home ground at East Burwood Reserve.
Croydon North MLOC – “We have played each other twice, one win each,” Croydon North MLOC Coach John Hayhurst said. “Both games were good quality, a lot of respect was shown by both sides. But now to a second semi at Quambee Reserve this Sunday. I am, along with, our players are looking forward to the challenges that will be put before us.”
East Burwood – “We are incredibly excited as a club to have our first final this weekend,” East Burwood Coach Ali Rock said. “Really proud of the playing group on their home and away season. But we know we must bring out best efforts for finals footy. It’s been very competitive against Croydon North MLOC, and we look forward to the match.”
Tip: East Burwood
Mitcham vs Coldstream: Mitcham and Coldstream clash with each other at Silvan Recreation Reserve. Both teams secured six wins in the home and away season, Mitcham finishing higher on the ladder in third spot because of percentage. Based off how Mitcham and Coldstream have played this season, we cannot wait, because we feel we are in for a quality final. Mitcham will take supreme confidence into the final, as in their last meeting against Coldstream they were victors by 31 points in Round 13.
Mitcham – “We expect Coldstream to throw the kitchen sink at us,” Mitcham Coach Reece Thomas said. “We are looking forward to the challenge of finals footy.”
Tip: Mitcham
Division Four Finals:
Vermont Gold vs Eastern Devils Black: Vermont Gold battles the Eastern Devils Black in week one of the Division Four finals at HE Parker Reserve. If ladder positions and form throughout the season is anything to go by from the two teams, then we are in for a beauty of a finals clash. The last time the two sides met was in Round 13 and Vermont Gold were winners by 11 points over the Eastern Devils Black.
Vermont Gold – “The Eastern Devils and Vermont are starting to have a great rivalry, and we are looking forward to another challenge of playing the Devils,” Vermont Gold Coach Brett Munyard said.
Tip: Vermont Gold
South Croydon Red vs SBL Wolves Teal: South Croydon Red and SBL Wolves Teal do battle in a Division Four final at Silvan Recreation Reserve. If the quality of contest the last time the two sides played each other at Cheong Park is anything to go by, then we are in for hell of final treat as SBL Wolves Teal won by two points.
Tip: South Croydon Red