The Monbulk Women faced Woori Yallock at Kilsyth on Sunday in the Grand Final of Division 2. The two sides had met three times previously this season with Monbulk leading 2-1 but each match had been very close. Despite the near perfect conditions it was to be a low scoring affair as neither side allowed the other to find avenues to goal. The Tigers had perhaps more opportunities but the great pressure applied by the Monbulk backs held them to just three behinds to three quarter time, while the Hawks had gotten out to a 9 point lead courtesy of goals to Scarlett Henderson, against the wind in the second term, and Jade McCormick kicking truly in the third after taking a mark.

The desperation shown by the Hawks was exemplified when Captain Madeline Caarels and Yanessa Hancock-Wolfe took each other out in friendly fire when they clashed heads heavily tackling a Woori player. This left Madeline with a black eye and possible fractured cheek and Yanessa suffering a broken nose. Woori Yallock were playing a determined last quarter with the wind as they looked to snatch the lead with a goal soon after the start of the final quarter. The Hawks were facing an onslaught but were able to keep the Tigers from making a breakthrough. With about four minutes remaining Monbulk defender Molly Licciardi copped a heavy knock which caused the clock to be stopped and the match to be halted for 20 minutes. When the game resumed it became a rugby scrum for the final few minutes as Monbulk pounced on every opportunity and laid tackle after tackle on their Woori opponents. The ball barely left the Tiger’s forward pocket with Kathryn Gow claiming two vital clearing kicks. When the siren sounded Monbulk claimed their second flag in three years in what had been a fantastic struggle for the ultimate honours.

Jade McCormick received the Best On Ground medal. Scarlett Henderson and Jade McCormick finished third and fourth in the League goalkicking with 25 and 24 goals respectively. Monbulk had a squad of about 30 girls all year but in the finals were restricted to playing 24 which meant Grace Emmett, Matilda McDermott, Madeline Vouvopoulos, Lauren Banks, Olivia VandenBerg and Helen Henderson were unfortunate to miss out but their contributions during the year had been vital to the final outcome.

Monbulk 2.0.12 def Woori Yallock 1.5.11
Best: Ruby Ross, Josie Ford, Maddison Dodd, Kathryn Gow, Jade McCormick, Yanessa Hancock-Wolfe
Goals: Jade McCormick 1, Scarlett Henderson 1

Thankyou to Anthea for her wonderful photos of the grand final!