Old Geelong ends unbeaten streak in first finals victory

In a semi-final round full of surprises and high drama, Old Geelong produced the most significant upset of the VAFA Premier B Women’s season, ending Williamstown CYMS’ unbeaten run and winning their first Senior Women’s final in their club’s history.

Fitzroy held off a determined St Bedes/Mentone Tigers in a nail-biting elimination final, setting up another two weeks of finals showdowns that promise to be a cracker.

Old Geelong delivered a performance for the ages, toppling the previously unstoppable Williamstown CYMS 6.3 (39) to 3.3 (21) in a stunning semi-final encounter. They were the clear underdogs coming into the match, with Williamstown coming in as overwhelming favourites after a perfect season. But Old Geelong had other plans, showing grit, determination, and a touch of class to book their spot in the Grand Final.

Old Geelong coach Jack Crameri says “We’ve been working for almost 12 months for this moment. We always felt our best footy could match any team in the competition and, for whatever reason, we were yet to produce that against Williamstown.”

Right from the first bounce, it was clear that Old Geelong meant business.

“The team has had a brilliant few weeks on the track and our attacking game has come leaps and bounds in the second half of the season,” says Crameri.

They came out with a clear game plan: pressure Williamstown at every opportunity and deny them the time and space they had enjoyed all season. Matilda Arthur was the instrumental in front of goal, kicking three goals to send her team into the Grand Final.

The midfield set the tone for their side with their relentless tackling pressure and precise ball use, enabling many deep entries into the forward line. Captain, Brooke McKay produced one of her best performances. Utilising her speed, her ability to win a ground ball is unmatched. The onballer was named best on ground in a match where every single player on the field played their role.

Old Geelong’s defence was also rock solid led by their backline specialist in Kathleen Dunn, repelling numerous Williamstown attacks and keeping their dangerous forwards quiet, while Shiralee Nicholls won the battle in the ruck.

Williamstown, for the first time all season, looked rattled. The fluency and cohesion that had been their hallmark were missing, replaced by uncharacteristic turnovers and missed opportunities. Their defensive line found themselves under siege as Old Geelong piled on the pressure. Up forward, they struggled to find their usual impact, which was well held by a disciplined Old Geelong backline.

As the game wore on, the OG’s belief grew, and with it, their lead on the scoreboard. By the final quarter, the writing was on the wall. The CY’s, try as they might, couldn’t bridge the gap, and as the final siren sounded, it was Old Geelong who celebrated a famous victory, which will go down in history.

“All 21 players today had their moments and played a part in the team’s success, I’m very proud of the squad and how they played,” says Crameri.

This win not only ends Williamstown’s unbeaten run but also propels Old Geelong straight into the Grand Final with a surge of momentum and confidence.

“The approach we’ll take into the grand final is that we’re striving to create history for the women’s football program at Old Geelong, Grand Finals are a big part of that, and we’re excited to play in the club’s first Senior Women’s Grand Final,” says Crameri.

For Williamstown, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow, having dominated the regular season only to fall short at the penultimate hurdle. They’ll need to regroup in this week’s match against Fitzroy if they are to salvage their season in the preliminary final.

In an Elimination Final over at Whitefriars College, Fitzroy edged out St Bedes/Mentone Tigers in a thriller, securing a hard-fought 3.7 (25) – 3.3 (21) victory to advance to the preliminary final. The match was a tense, low-scoring affair, with both teams leaving everything on the field in pursuit of glory.

Fitzroy, known for their tenacity and never-say-die attitude, once again showed why they are such a difficult side to beat.

“The team executed our game plan really well throughout the majority of the game. Our midfield did well at the contest and spreading,” says Fitzroy coach Nathan Jumeau.

“Our backline as a whole was great, beating their opponents and then creating a lot of run off and carry when they won the footy back.”

St Bedes/Mentone, to their credit, fought valiantly throughout. Their midfield won crucial clearances and set up scoring opportunities for their forwards. Co-captain, Maddi Wilson lifted her side, finishing the afternoon with a goal. However, the Tigers struggled to convert their chances, with Fitzroy’s defence standing tall under immense pressure.

As the clock ticked down in the final quarter, Fitzroy held a slender advantage, and it became a game of inches. The Tigers threw everything at Fitzroy in the closing stages, but the Fitzroy defence held firm.

In the end, it was Fitzroy’s composure and experience that saw them over the line, as they clinched a win in a match that could have gone either way. The victory secures Fitzroy’s place in the preliminary final, where they will face Williamstown CYMS in what promises to be a nail-biting contest.

Coach Jumeau says “We’re excited to play Willy next week. They have been the benchmark for the year, so really excited to see two good teams play finals footy against each other.”

“The key will be keeping things the same, we’ve been building this year with our game plan and would love to see it come together in a preliminary final,” says coach Jumeau.

For SBMT, the loss is a heartbreaking end to their season. They came agonisingly close but fell just short of a Grand Final berth. Despite the defeat, they can hold their heads high, having pushed one of the competition’s best teams to the limit.

As the dust settles on the Semi-Finals, attention now turns to the Preliminary Final, where Williamstown CYMS will take on Fitzroy to secure the final golden ticket to the Grand Final against Old Geelong.

For the CY’s, the preliminary final will be a chance for redemption. They’ll be desperate to bounce back from their shock loss and earn a spot in the Grand Final, where they can seek to reclaim the form that made them the standout team of the season. Fitzroy, meanwhile, will be looking to carry their momentum to force another upset in the Premier B Women’s competition. Two exciting matches to go… stay tuned!