Stars align for Old Scotch in Premiership glory

Old Scotch have claimed bragging rights for 2024 after ending St Kevin’s Premiership dominance over the past three years. The Stars recorded a defiant 32-point victory over the Saints to claim their first women’s Premiership at the top level.

St Kevin’s had long been considered the benchmark of women’s football – minor premiers in the inaugural season of the VAFA Premier Women’s competition, finalists the following year, and Premiers for the past three consecutive Grand Finals. They are a side who continued to outclass the rest of the competition year after year, coming into this year’s Grand Final pushing for a fourth consecutive premiership.

On the other hand, Old Scotch only started their women’s program in 2018 but quickly shot up the ranks, tasting premiership glory along the way as they worked their way into the top division where they now had the chance to make history with their first William Buck Premier Women’s flag.

The scene was set for an epic Grand Final, with two formidable teams fighting it out for one premiership cup at the home of VAFA football, Elsternwick Park.

In the 2024 home and away season, Old Scotch and St Kevin’s only loss came at the hands of each other, and in their third clash this year it was the SKOB Saints who took home the chocolates in the Semi Final.

The standard of the two sides was evident from the first bounce, with both teams exhibiting strength and skill above that of the rest of the competition.  Old Scotch brought a level of pressure that they had not shown so far this year, as they refused to allow St Kevin’s control of the Sherrin while providing themselves ample opportunity as they continued to win the clearance battle.

Jordan Mifsud was electric, with the football seemingly drawn to her as she kicked three first term goals utilising various avenues to set the tone for Old Scotch.

Despite working their way back into the contest late in the quarter, St Kevin’s only sniff at goal was a shot from Tess Cattle that was touched on the line by Old Scotch’s brick wall, Bella Gray.

Old Scotch continued to build momentum in the second, with Mietta Kendall getting them off to another hot start, as they capitalised on a ball that got out the back.

Although St Kevin’s managed to lock the ball in their attacking half for a long stretch, they failed to hit the scoreboard, before Old Scotch got the game back on their terms once again.

Two goals to the competition’s leading goalkicker, Eloise Defina, pushed the margin out to 37 points, leaving St Kevin’s with a mountain to climb.

If there is a team that could engineer such a comeback, it would be St Kevin’s, who showed their ability to turn a game on its head back in the qualifying final against Old Scotch. With that turnaround still fresh in the memory, there was a feeling around the grounds that it was only a matter of time before St Kevin’s would shift gears and make an impact on the scoreboard.

19 minutes into the second quarter, St Kevin’s finally got their first major of the day when Kate Stanton snapped truly from the boundary line to give her side the lift they so desperately needed.

Shortly after, Sarah Cameron converted her first shot at goal for the day and there was a palpable shift in momentum as the Stars suddenly founded themselves under siege.

Luckily for Old Scotch, they were granted a reprieve when the siren sounded for half time moments later, putting a halt to St Kevin’s charge.

As was the theme all day, Old Scotch started the third term with a greater level of intensity than St Kevin’s, winning the first clearance and launching the ball inside their forward line, where Maggie Wilson was waiting to pounce.

Kate Stanton once again attempted to lift her team, attacking the ball with an unmatched ferocity. Displaying serious x-factor, Stanton kicked two goals in a minute to bring St Kevin’s back within three goals.

Inspired by their teammate, the Saints took things up a notch, locking the ball in their forward half, however, the Scotch defenders withstood the barrage, not allowing any additional scores.

A late goal to Sara Fortunato took the wind out St Kevin’s sails, as the Saints players appealed that it had been touched to no avail.

With one quarter left to play, St Kevin’s trailed by a hefty 25 points, meaning a miracle final term would be required if the Saints were to continue their premiership reign.

Who else to deliver the coup de grace but Jordan Mifsud, who had been causing headaches for St Kevin’s all day. Rewarded after laying a strong tackle, Mifsud slotted the first goal of the fourth quarter, making a Saints comeback feel near impossible.

The Saints were quick to respond through Sarah Cameron, leaving the door slightly ajar, however, it would turn out to be their last goal of the day.

Old Scotch were able to wind down the clock, until Jade Wise joined the list of goal scorers at the 20-minute mark, putting the icing on the cake for the Stars.

As the final siren sounded, the scoreboard read 5.2 (32) to 10.4 (64). Unbelievable scenes of jubilation swept through the Old Scotch faithful as they celebrated their first premiership in the William Buck Premier Women’s competition.

Jordan Mifsud was awarded the Michael Sholly Best on Ground medal for her influential role in the victory, leading from the start with strength and determination, highlighted by her first quarter efforts that ultimately set Old Scotch up for the day.

While every Star contributed throughout the day, there were some that deserved extra recognition from their coach.

Through the midfield, Ella Crump did a brilliant job at nullifying the strength of the Big V ruck, Sarah Betts, while Mia Caffry was a contested bull, winning clearance after clearance to provide opportunities for her side. In defence, Bella Gray and Katie Hunter-Scott were resolute, keeping the usually lively St Kevin’s forwards at bay.

One factor that was consistent across the whole Old Scotch line up was their pressure and belief.

“I was so proud of our teams contested footy,” Old Scotch coach Dean Anderson said.

“Our pressure and tackling was at our best. Our midfield clearance work went to plan, and our structure up forward put the kind of pressure on St Kevin’s defence that we were hoping for.”

It was clear that the win meant even more due to the high standard of the opposition, who have built a dynasty over the last five years.

Anderson said, “The competition has been in awe of St Kevin’s for a long time and the work we put in to trying to bridge the gap was enormous. We needed to instil the belief within our group that we could not only match them but beat them.”

“That was one of the hardest games I’ve coached. St Kevin’s are just so good, and we knew that they would keep coming all day. They are a sensational team with some absolute talent that can really lift them, and we saw glimpses of that.”

We certainly saw St Kevin’s talent showcased throughout the final, with Kate Stanton leading the way as she gave all she had to try to propel her side to a comeback. Annabelle Embelton, Emily Condon and Lauren Suleiman were all enormous in defence, minimising the scoreboard damage from Old Scotch, while Sarah Betts and Jessica Joyce fought valiantly all day through the midfield.

With another season complete, one thing is for sure – Old Scotch and St Kevin’s are sure to be ‘the hunted’ in 2025.

St Kevin’s:  0.1   2.1   4.2   5.2   (32)

Old Scotch:  3.2   6.2   8.3   10.4   (64)