Fitzroy stuns Williamstown in a Preliminary Final epic

In a match that will be talked about for years to come, Fitzroy pulled off a monumental upset in the VAFA Premier B Women’s preliminary final, edging out minor premiers Williamstown CYMS by just two points.

The 5.3 (33) – 5.1 (31) victory at Bryan Martyn Oval not only shattered Williamstown’s premiership dreams, but also sends Fitzroy into the Grand Final this weekend, where they will face Old Geelong in what promises to be a thrilling decider.

The day couldn’t have started better for Williamstown. Coming off a shocking defeat to Old Geelong in the semi-finals, the CYs were out to prove that their minor premiership was no fluke.

They exploded out of the blocks from the first ball up, playing with the kind of pressure and precision that had been their trademark all season.

Alessia Acquaro was at her brilliant best, showing why she’s been one of Williamstown’s most consistent performers all year.

Fitzroy struggled to get their hands on the ball as Williamstown controlled the tempo, moving the ball swiftly and efficiently from the midfield into the forward line, with some deep 50m entries that allowed them to convert three goals early on.

As the quarter-time siren sounded, Williamstown had raced to a 3.0 (18) – 0.0 (0) lead, and it looked like the game could turn into a Williamstown whitewash.

However, Fitzroy had other ideas. In what can only be described as a remarkable turnaround, Fitzroy completely flipped the script in the second quarter. This quarter was what won the game for them.

Their midfield began to win the contested ball, while Nessa Cooney Hunt emerged as the game’s most dangerous forward, kicking three extremely important goals for the game, that would eventually seal her team’s spot in the Grand Final.

By halftime, Fitzroy had not only erased Williamstown’s lead but had taken a one goal advantage into the main break.

The Fitzroy camp was buzzing with energy, while Williamstown suddenly found themselves in unfamiliar territory, trailing in a match they were expected to dominate.

With their season on the line, Williamstown came out firing after halftime. The CY’s knew they needed to wrestle back momentum, and they did just that in the third quarter.

Alessia Acquaro and Loren Mills continued to be the focal points up forward, and it wasn’t long before some scoring opportunities sparked Williamstown’s revival.

Fitzroy’s defence was under siege as Williamstown pressed hard to regain control of the game. Kiara Palmar and Lauren Winter were standouts for the CYs, with their work rate and craft around the stoppages helping to lock the ball inside their forward half.

The third quarter ended with Williamstown holding a narrow 5.1 (31) – 4.1 (25) lead, having kept Fitzroy to just a solitary behind. The game was now perfectly poised for a dramatic final quarter, with both sides knowing that a Grand Final ticket was on the line.

The final quarter was a tense, absorbing contest that had fans on the edge of their seats. Both teams threw everything they had at each other, with the intensity and physicality reaching new heights. Fitzroy knew they needed to find another gear if they were to pull off the upset.

Their pressure around the ball was immense, forcing Williamstown into errors and turnovers.

Jaime Nelson was instrumental in the ruck and the Fitzroy midfield worked tirelessly to get the ball into their forward 50.

The CYs were hanging on desperately, but Fitzroy’s relentless attack finally broke through when they calmly slotted their fifth goal to level the scores.

With the clock ticking down, Fitzroy surged forward again. A few hurried shots turned into behinds, but behinds are worth their weight in gold in these close matches.

Williamstown tried valiantly to respond, but Fitzroy’s defence held firm.

In the dying seconds, Williamstown had one last roll of the dice. They surged the ball forward, but Fitzroy’s backline was impenetrable.

As the final siren sounded, Fitzroy’s players erupted in celebration, having secured a famous 5.3 (33) – 5.1 (31) victory and a place in the Grand Final.

“It was a very high-pressure finals game of football. And great to get another close win in a big game against a very strong team.” says Fitzroy coach Nathan Jumeau.

“Credit to Williamstown who put up a fight right till the final siren.”

“The vibe was high to have both seniors and reserves into a Grand Final shows the amazing depth we have at the club.”

The crowd was definitely a Fitzroy crowd, even with the game being in Williamstown’s backyard, so it was loud.” He said.

For Fitzroy, this was a win for the ages. They showed incredible resilience and belief, coming back from 18 points down to defeat the team that had dominated the competition all season.

Nessa Cooney Hunt was deservedly named player of the match, her three goals proving the difference on the scoreboard. Simone Mooney and Olivia Brilliant were also outstanding, their contributions crucial to Fitzroy’s success.

Williamstown, on the other hand, will be left to ponder what might have been. To fall short in such dramatic fashion after an unbeaten regular season will be a tough pill to swallow.

Alessia Acquaro and Loren Mills did all they could to keep their team in the contest, while Kiara Palmar and Lauren Winter were also among their best.

The season that promised so much for Williamstown is a reminder of just how unpredictable and unforgiving final footy can be.

But for Fitzroy, the dream lives on. They’ve proven they can beat the best, and now, they’re just one win away from a premiership that few would have predicted at the start of the finals.

Jumeau says that the Fitzroy girls are looking forward to meeting Old Geelong in the Grand Final.

“We’ll be taking into the Grand Final how well we’ve played in tight games and the fact that our best footy is amazing footy.”

As Fitzroy now prepares for a Grand Final showdown against Old Geelong, the question is whether they can carry this momentum into next week.

The Grand Final awaits, and Fitzroy is ready. Watch this space with bated breath as the curtain falls on a classy VAFA Premier B Women’s season.