Oakleigh upset flag hopefuls in a last roll of the dice

After sixteen rounds gone the results are in and we are locked and loaded for the Division 2 Women’s finals series. What a season it has been with some notable thrashings and the always-exciting upsets, the final four have fought their way to the top to make their case for the premiership.

The top four of Glen Eira/Old McKinnon, Whitefriars, Power House, and Hampton Rovers have been masterful throughout the season, losing just 13 matches between them. Oakleigh are the ones unlucky to miss out on a finals berth in 2024, finishing just two points behind third and fourth. They showed plenty of promise with a late surge and will be one to watch in 2025.

Oakleigh had one last roll of the dice on the weekend, taking on the formidable Power House. Breaking into the top 4 was logistically feasible should the Krushers come away with a win, whilst also needing Whitefriars to lose their final game. Oakleigh got the job done by a mere 2 points, and at Power House’s fortress no-less.

The first half was dictated by the home side with the early ascendency. Catherine Bartholomew got her side into the game with 2 goals, alongside a stellar performance from Sinead Doorley.

The Krushers’ season looked all but done then and there when a couple of late goals in the third brought them within striking distance, trailing by 4 points at the final change.

With a finals spot on the line, Oakleigh had everything to play for and boy did it show through a gritty defensive effort in the dying minutes, as well as a match-winning goal from Emily Heverin. Although the win did little for their percentage, Oakleigh revelled in those all-important 4 points, defeating a giant of the competition and in fine fashion.

A concurrent match up over at Whitefriars College would be a deciding factor on who rounded out the top 4. Understanding the stakes, Whitefriars delivered one of their most comprehensive performances, shutting down their opponent in Hawthorn to secure a 52-point victory.

Whitefriars had plenty of the Sherrin, playing their signature possession style footy that proved to suit the likes of Hayley Notting who kicked a career-high 4 goals: storming home to an 8.15 (63) finish. Should they sharpen their foot skill in front of the big sticks they could prove unstoppable in their face to the flag.

The Hawks had a tough day at the office with their only goal coming in the fourth quarter off the boot of Jamie Hewitt, while Emily Scott stood tall for her side.

The Whitefriars leapt into second spot, which not only secures them a standing for finals, but rewards them the double chance. Alas, this result cements the conclusion of Oakleigh’s season who finish in fifth.

Hampton Rovers will miss out on the second chance and will head into an Elimination Final next weekend after falling to the minor premiers in Glen Eira/Old McKinnon in Round 16.

Glen Eira/Old McKinnon play textbook footy and are one of the best at remaining calm under pressure. A quick start from the Rovers didn’t seem to rattle the ladder leaders, converting a 5-point deficit into a 9-point advantage after the main break.

The final term was a tussle for the chocolates with a conversion of 2.1 from the Rovers to just 5 behinds from the Gryphons, who walked away with a 3-point win. Both sides had multiple single goal kickers in an exhibition of talent across the board.

Glen Eira have delivered the dream run this season dropping just the one game and will go into finals series as favourites in the Div 2 Women’s competition.

Over at Kevin Bartlett Reserve, Old Trinity were back on the park after a couple of forfeits coming up against Richmond Central. The Snakes came out firing with the intent to finish their season off strong, following a string of consecutive losses, successfully downing the T’s 9.10 (64) to 0.1 (1).

The football only seemed to travel one direction, and that was the way of the Snakes who held a 10-point lead at the first change, extending that buffer at every point thereafter.

Elizabeth Simkin and Ann-Marie Geary were standouts in their final match of the season for Richmond Central, while the skipper Mia Hyde-Smith, finished the day with 2 goals alongside Jordyn Toms-Wedge who also slotted 2 majors.

The amalgamated squad of Old Camberwell/AJAX were certainly put through their paces this season, facing some fierce competition whilst learning to come together as a single unit playing on new home grounds with new teammates. They took every challenge in their stride and threw everything they had into their final match up against Mazenod.

In a low scoring affair, any score was a crucial leap ahead. Mazenod took the reins kicking 1.3 to half time, holding the home side scoreless.

With a 14-1 lead half way through the final term, the result seemed all but locked away, and Mazenod pumped the breaks. Old Camberwell/AJAX saw their opening and went full throttle, booting 2.1 in the dying minutes of their season to get themselves within a single point.

One of those crucial goals came off the boot of Old Camberwell/AJAX defender Justine Gabriel in the final game of her career.

At the final siren, Mazenod retained that 1-point advantage to secure another win and finish their season in ninth.

The stage is set for the first week of finals with four powerhouses of Women’s football facing off in the race to the flag. Hampton Rovers will come up against Power House in an elimination final in a must win clash that will see the winner progress through to the Preliminary finals.

Meanwhile the minor premiers, Glen Eira/Old McKinnon will do battle against a red-hot Whitefriars in what could be an exciting clash. The winner will secure a ticket to the big dance while the loser of this semi will get a second chance the following week in the Prelim. Plenty of great footy still to come to close out what has been another great season of Women’s football.