Old Geelong make history in a memorable Grand Final victory over Fitzroy

In a Grand Final for the ages, Old Geelong claimed their first-ever VAFA Senior Women’s Premiership, defeating Fitzroy in the Premier B Women’s Grand Final by a mere 7 points in a gripping contest at Elsternwick Park. The 5.6 (36) to 4.5 (29) victory was not just a historic moment for Old Geelong, but also a showcase of the talent and depth of women’s football in the VAFA competition. The windy conditions, with a clear scoring end on the southern side of the ground, added an extra layer of intrigue to a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final siren.

Fitzroy, with the wind at their backs at the start, made the most of the advantage in the first quarter. Their forward pressure was relentless, and they kept the ball locked in their attacking half for most of the term.

Esther Boles was the first to impact the scoreboard, taking a brilliant, contested mark in front of goal and converting to give Fitzroy the early lead. Nessa Cooney Hunt, who had been a standout throughout the final’s series, added another goal with a composed finish from a set shot, extending Fitzroy’s lead.

Old Geelong’s tackle pressure was immense, with some very hard hits. However, they struggled to clear their defensive 50, with Fitzroy’s midfield applying intense pressure. Despite their best efforts, Old Geelong could only manage a single behind for the quarter, and as the siren sounded to end the first term, Fitzroy held a 2.1 (13) – 0.1 (1) lead.

With the wind now in their favour, Old Geelong came out for the second quarter with renewed energy and purpose. From the first bounce, their tackling pressure intensified, and they began to win the crucial midfield battles that had eluded them in the opening term.

Sophia McCarthy was the catalyst for Old Geelong’s comeback, kicking their first goal of the day after a strong mark inside 50. The goal seemed to ignite Geelong, who began to dominate possession and territory. Fitzroy’s defence, which had been resolute in the first quarter, was suddenly under siege.

The competition’s leading goal scorer Matilda Arthur then brought the scores level with a well-taken goal, before Celia Cody and Mietta Passon took some unbelievable marks in front of goal and converted to put Old Geelong ahead. The Old Geelong fans found their voice as their team surged. By halftime, Old Geelong had turned the game on its head, taking a 4.2 (26) – 2.2 (14) lead into the break, with Fitzroy managing just a solitary behind for the quarter.

The third quarter saw Fitzroy return to the scoring end, and they took full advantage. Nessa Cooney Hunt was again in the thick of the action, adding two more goals to her tally and bringing her team right back into the contest. Her ability to find space and her accuracy in front of goal were key to the Roys’ resurgence.

Old Geelong, on the other hand, found themselves under constant pressure as Fitzroy piled on the attack. Despite the best efforts of their defence, with Kathleen Dunn leading the charge and taking some great intercept marks, Old Geelong struggled to clear their defensive zone. As the quarter wore on, Fitzroy’s dominance became more apparent, and by the time the siren sounded to end the third quarter, they had regained the lead, with the scoreboard reading 4.5 (29) to 4.2 (26) in their favour.

With everything to play for in the final quarter, both teams threw everything they had into the contest. For Old Geelong, skipper Brooke McKay was everywhere, with speed and athleticism that saw her making some great clearances towards the scoring end.

It became a game of surge footy, with both teams just getting the ball to boot to gain territory, knowing they needed to take their chances if they were to claim victory. The wind continued to play a significant role, with neither team able to break the deadlock early in the quarter.

The tension around Elsternwick Oval was palpable as the clock ticked down. Fitzroy had several opportunities to extend their lead, including a crucial free kick in front of goal after a late hit by Old Geelong. However, nerves seemed to get the better of Fitzroy’s forwards, and they were unable to convert their chances.

With the scores locked at 4.6 (30) to 4.5 (29) for majority of the term and time running out, the game was on a knife’s edge. The turning point came in the dying moments when Sophia Rothfield, who had been a standout for Geelong all day, found herself in space inside 50. Gathering the ball cleanly and bursting through a pack, she steadied herself and launched a shot from a very tight angle that sailed through the middle of the goals, sparking wild celebrations from the OGs faithful.

Fitzroy, to their credit, fought to the final siren, but Old Geelong’s defence held firm. As the final siren sounded, the scoreline read 5.6 (36) to 4.5 (29) in Old Geelong’s favour, confirming their status as 2024 Premier B Women’s Premiers and the first senior women’s team to win a Grand Final in their club’s history.

Old Geelong showed incredible resilience to fight back from a slow start and claim their first-ever Premiership. This victory was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Coach Jack Crameri thanked the Williamstown CYMS for setting the standard for the competition and said that the game was “a representation of what women’s footy has become.”

An elated Old Geelong captain, Brooke McKay said, “we went out with a goal of making history and we’ve done it.”

In what would’ve been a very difficult decision to make with such talent displayed on the day by both teams, Sophia Rothfield received the best on ground medal, which was solidified when she won her moment and scored the game-winning goal in the dying moments of the game.

Fitzroy, while undoubtedly disappointed, can hold their heads high. Captain Steph Pitt exemplified true sportsmanship in a warming address at the presentation, sharing her pride in her team and club, while congratulating Old Geelong for their performance on the day.

Nessa Cooney Hunt for Fitzroy was superb with three goals, and Esther Boles’ early impact set the tone for a fierce contest. Olivia Brilliant and Simone Mooney were also instrumental in Fitzroy’s performance, and their efforts will be remembered as part of a Grand Final that could have easily gone either way.

This Grand Final had it all – drama, tension, and a fairytale ending for Old Geelong, who stood tall and etched their names in the history books as the 2024 VAFA Premier B Women’s champions.

As the celebrations began for Old Geelong, the significance of the achievement was clear. This was more than just a Premiership win; it was a moment of history for the club, a reward for years of persistence, and a victory that will be remembered for years to come.

0.1   4.2   4.2   5.6   (36)

2.1   2.2   4.5   4.5   (29)