The biggest day of the season for the senior women’s competition is upon us. Grand Final Day this Saturday at H.E Parker Reserve and Quambee Reserve sees ten sides play off for for the five premierships.
Premier Division Grand Final Preview – Eastern Devils v South Croydon @H.E Parker Reserve
The two best teams of the last three years will meet in a second Grand Final in three seasons.
The Eastern Devils are one win away from completing a historic three-peat under Jason Cridland. Their record speaks for themselves, just two losses in three years after entering the Eastern Football Netball League.
There’s talent on every line, starting with last year’s league best and fairest winner, Olivia Aing. The star midfielder has plenty of speed and is made for the big stage. Up forward, the experienced Shelley Beggs finished with 46 goals for the season but through the likes of Ashleigh Allsopp and Nicole Price, there’s no reliance on one avenue to goal.
The only side to defeat the Devils in 2024 has been South Croydon. This year is potentially their best chance to hold up the cup on Grand Final Day.
The last meeting in the semi-final gave us a glimpse of what to expect, with only ten points separating the two Grand Finalists at the final siren. Taylah Black kicked four in that game and has again taken the league by storm this year. The ultimate duo of Black and Tanikka Martin have combined for 84 majors for the season.
A dominant Preliminary Final win against South Belgrave was highlighted by some impressive performances from Amy Grimwade, Katie Prendergast and Abbey Marshall.
Vital for South Croydon to get the early jump, expecting a real arm wrestle across the afternoon. The perfect finish to a wonderful Premier Division season.
Will the Devils complete the dynasty? Or will it be the underdogs that triumph on the biggest stage?
– By Ryan Long
Tip: Eastern Devils by 9 points.
Division One Grand Final Preview – North Ringwood v Park Orchards @ H.E Parker Reserve
It’s been the tightest of all five divisions and we don’t expect anything different in the ultimate decider between North Ringwood and Park Orchards.
The Saints qualified first for this year’s Grand Final after a 27-point win over Donvale in the second Semi Final. Ella Rhodes was one of the most influential players on the ground, the Saints also had plenty of run from the likes of Carli Forbes and Jess Begg.
The division’s leading goal kicker Eliza Wilson remains a difficult match-up for any defender, she’s kicked 36 goals from 15 games this year.
2024 has been a highly successful one for North Ringwood, introducing a second team in the competition. It’s been led by skipper Tayla Deane as the club is shaping together one of the strongest women’s programs in the competition.
The Sharks have been just as impressive this season, they weren’t too concerned about missing the double chance, knowing their best is good enough to match it with any top-four team. They’ve beat both East Ringwood and Donvale in comfortable fashion to qualify for today’s decider.
After coming off a VFLW Grand Final appearance for the Western Bulldogs, Jorja Livingstone has returned to the side and has been key in their finals run. Their goals have been well spread out amongst many contributors with the likes of Daisy Cooper and Molly Heymanson both kicking multiple goals across the finals series.
Head-to-head, in three meetings, the two sides have shared a win each and a draw, setting up the perfect finish to the Division One season.
Finals and Grand Final experience on both lists, can’t wait for this one!
– By Ryan Long
Tip: North Ringwood by 5 points
Division Two Grand Final Preview – Surrey Park v Montrose @Quambee Reserve
The Panthers and the Demons will lock horns once again, with both sides aiming to claim their respective club’s first women’s premiership.
Chris Langkou’s side will go in as heavy favourites having dominated all season long, scoring north of 1000 points and conceding only 120 points in their 15 games this year.
Players such as Tess Reynolds, Kalarni Kearns, Mia Kolednik and Charlotte Bradshaw continue to play a key role in a well-rounded side, including in their second semi-final win over Waverley Blues by 99 points.
Whilst they go in as favourites, Montrose will come into their first-ever grand final with plenty of momentum behind them.
The Dees have now won five on the trot and eight of their last nine games after overcoming the Waverley Blues and Berwick in their two finals to date.
Shilette Baker’s side continued to find a wide spread of contributors in front of goal. Tiana Witnish and Hannah Lawson once again led the way though in their thrilling two-point victory over the Blues last weekend.
They’re yet to defeat Surrey Park during both sides’ time in the women’s competition, with 20 points and 63 points separating the two during the regular season.
It’s set to be a tough ask for Montrose to knock off the all-conquering Panthers, but as this finals series has shown anything is possible.
– Josh Ward
Tip: Surrey Park by 30 points
Division Three Grand Final Preview – Mooroolbark v Coldstream @ Quambee Reserve
Mooroolbark and Coldstream will meet for the third time in four weeks, this time with the ultimate prize on the line at Quambee Reserve.
The Mustangs were the first to qualify for the big dance after defeating the Cougars in a second semi-final at this weekend’s venue.
Lily McDonald returned to the lineup and had an instant impact while Bella McMaster and Ruby Haberfield’s stunning seasons continued in the 37-point victory over Coldstream.
They’ll meet a Coldstream side who’ll be buoyed by their first finals win since 2022, defeating Heathmont by the barest of margins in their third consecutive preliminary final.
Georgia Byrne and Sophie Stark continued their stellar run of form, kicking a goal each and being named in the best once again as the Cougars booked their ticket to their first-ever grand final.
Before their second semi-final, Coldstream was the second side to knock off Mooroolbark in 2024, defeating them by two points at Heights Reserve.
The Mustangs’ experience on the big stage could prove key as they look to make it back-to-back premierships in only their third season with a women’s side.
– By Josh Ward
Tip: Mooroolbark by 17 points
Division Four Grand Final Preview – Ferntree Gully v Bayswater @ H.E Parker Reserve
Two sides that returned to the Deakin University Senior Women’s competition this season through to the Division Four Grand Final!
Ferntree Gully meets Bayswater in the decider, the Eagles bringing back a Senior Women’s team after not having a side in 2023, while the Waters returned to the comp for the first time since 2019.
Over the course of the 2024 season, Ferntree Gully has been the benchmark of the division, with just one loss for the year. Senior Coach Dwayne Stangherlin and the senior group have been outstanding, with a record of 13-1, straight through to the big dance after their Semi-Final win over the Devils.
Breanna Carter has been a proven match-winner with 28 goals this season while Jessica Campbell and Ashleigh Hilder have also featured frequently in the goal kickers list each week.
Their Grand Final opposition is a Bayswater outfit that is on a great finals run, defeating Fairpark in the Elimination Final and Wantirna South in a thrilling Preliminary Final victory.
Starring in their latest finals win was Zoe Lynch, unbeatable down back and swung forward in the final quarter to kick the final two goals of the game to lead Bayswater through to a Grand Final. Jenna White was also very impressive in the Prelim, one of many players coming across from Aquinas this year, a great ball-winner through the midfield.
In the two meetings this season, Ferntree Gully’s defence through the likes of Breanna Smith and Tess McLeod held up extremely well, keeping Bayswater goalless on both occasions. The determination of a young Bayswater group that gets better by the day will be playing with no fear. They’ll need to find a way to break through a very strong Ferntree Gully defence if they’re to get over the line.
– Ryan Long
Tip: Ferntree Gully by 24 points
