Westbourne Grammarians were ready for the Victorian Amateur Football Association premier Be women’s finals challenge.
Playing finals for the first time since reforming a women’s side last season, the Grammarians were able to sneak home for a win on Saturday in the elimination final
Facing Port Melbourne Chargers, the Grammarians were able to hold on to win, 4.3 (27)-3.5 (23).
Grammarians co-coach Ian Allan said they were on cloud nine.
“It has been surreal to see how the girls have put everything in place from round one to where they are right now,” he said.
“We couldn’t have asked for any more and we could not be prouder. They were ready and our aim was to take a step back on the day.
“They had put in the work, the effort and the skill set was there.”
Allan said they had built to this momentum despite a slip up in the final round.
On Saturday, the Grammarians led by 13 points at quarter time before the margin was back to five points at the main break.
Two goals to none in the third quarter opened the margin back up.
The Chargers came hard in the final quarter but fell just short.
“We were pretty confident we had put the work in and could get the job done,” Allan said.
“It was intense in the last quarter. Our backline held strong all day, we have an amazing backline.
“Our mids shout them down, which is one of their strengths. It’s been the catalyst of the year where we have improved and gelled from there.”
Allan singled out the performance of Temeika Cathery up forward. She kicked two crucial goals and had some really strong hands to help set up the forward line.
Kayla Koropeckyj, Paige Trajkovski and Gracie Lamers were the other standouts for the Grammarians.
Allan said the match showed how far they had progressed saying early in the season they wouldn’t have come back from conceding a couple of goals in a row.
The Grammarians will continue to take the underdog status into the rest of finals.
They will face minor premiers Old Brighton in the preliminary final this weekend.
Old Brighton is the only side the Grammarians haven’t beaten this year.
“To have the opportunity in a preliminary final, shows how far we have come in 18 months,” he said.
“We’ve put things in place and they have paid off. We’ll enjoy the momentum.”
Both the Grammarians women’s sides will play in preliminary finals on Saturday.
Their reserves side, which finished on top of the ladder, lost a low scoring qualifying final in division 4.
Allan said after not playing much the past few weeks due to byes and forfeits it was good for them to get out on the park.
“Hopefully both teams will win through to the grand final,” he said. “The mindset is about enjoying it.
“Win, lose or draw the girls have come a long way and moving forward to next year we can only keep moving forward.”
