Women's Finals Wash Up Week 2

Division 1

Preliminary Finals: St Mary’s vs Grovedale

St Mary’s were looking for redemption after their first match of the Finals and they found it last Sunday. A quick two-goal start had the Saints get on top of Grovedale early. The Tigers managed to kick their first major of the day in the second term to go into halftime only nine points down. But the second half saw a dominant display by St Mary’s with Grovedale having no answers. The charge was led by the influence of midfielders Millie Johnson and Ella Firth for Saints. Defender Olivia Kyatt was named the best for Grovedale.

Now it’s off to the big dance for St Mary’s. In the Qualifying Finals, Geelong Amateur were in a league of their own. Ammos have awesome firepower up forward in Analea McKee and Cheryl de Groot. They also have the Division 1 joint runner-up for the Best & Fairest winner Danielle Gaylard in the ruck. But St Mary’s have some weapons of their own. Brooke Mallia has been in good form of late in the ruck and Danielle Stewart is a jet in the midfield. Add other joint runner-up for the Best & Fairest Tahley Houghton to the mix, and St Mary's looks dangerous.

St Mary’s has beaten Geelong Amateur two times in a row early this season, but Ammos have won their last three encounters. This one looks set for a very entertaining battle.

Best

St Mary’s: V. Nihill, M. Johnson, E. Firth, K. Houghton, Private Player

Grovedale: O. Kyatt, E. Worpel, E. Mahoney, C. Adams, T. Hassett, L. Fitzgibbon

Goals

St Mary’s: B. Cheever, A. Haigh, K. Houghton, I. Kirby, B. Mallia

Grovedale: C. Adams, A. McLean

Final Score

St Mary’s: 5.15 (45)

Grovedale: 2.1 (13)

Division 2

Preliminary Finals: Drysdale vs Torquay

After a slow first quarter, the Tigers ran rampant for the rest of the match. Kate Doonan’s run on the outside had her named the best for Torquay. Grace O’Kanee and Sophie O’Meara scored two snags apiece with several other Tigers contributing to the scoreboard. Division 2 Best & Fairest winner Tara Smith, was named the best for Drysdale.

This Sunday the real fight begins. St Joseph's and Torquay have met twice this year for one win each over the other. Joeys forward Jane Burch has kicked 16 goals for the season with Emmalyn Nekrep behind her with 14. Nekrep has genuine speed. Keeley Hardingham is a tower in the ruck and has pushed forward many times this season to claim nine goals.

Torquay doesn’t necessarily have that kind of power up forward like St Joseph’s. What they do have, is great midfield. Sophie O'Meara & Kate Ryan are genuine ball winners with Vanessa Rischitelli providing them with plenty of ball in the ruck.

Another game of strong tactics will determine who can get the better of whom, but we won’t find the answer until the final siren this weekend.

Best

Drysdale: T. Smith, T.Benson, J. Morrow, L. Foote, C. Edmanson, M. Egan

Torquay: K. Doonan, B. Angell, L. Owens, G. O'Kane, S. O'Meara, S. Peacock

Goals

Drysdale: B. Deckker, J. Taylor

Torquay: 2 G. O'Kane, 2 S. O'Meara, J. Maney, J. Smith, L. Burns, S. Peacock

Final Score

Drysdale: 2.6 (18)

Torquay: 8.9 (57)

Division 3

Preliminary Finals: South Barwon vs North Geelong

South Barwon were out to make a point and they were hungry. Chloe Cox was causing all kinds of headaches up forward for the North Geelong defence. Cox finished her day kicking seven goals for the Swans. Ayesha Nicholson was named the best for South Barwon with her dominant rebound off halfback. Faith Qoon was named once again in the best for North Geelong.

South Barwon are now off to meet Anglesea on Sunday in the Grand Final. If they can bring that same fight and free up Cox in the forward line, they are more than a chance. Last time Anglesea dominated the scoring count but couldn’t convert most of their chances.

If Division 3 Best & Fairest winner Maggie Caudullo and her midfield group can get on top of Anglesea in the centre of the ground, that will make the difference. That being said, Lahnee Firth and Phoebe Lingam are no pushovers. This one might be even closer than the last encounter.

Best

South Barwon: A. Nicholson, C. Cox, D. Wilson, G. Pickard, A. Muir, M. Puckett

North Geelong: F. Qoon, J. Coleman, C. Lowrey, T. Drever, A. Wilkes, M. Rentsch

Goals

South Barwon: 7 C. Cox, M. Caudullo, A. Muir

North Geelong: K. Bonney

Final Score

South Barwon: 9.9 (63)

North Geelong: 1.3 (9)