On Sunday 14th August 2022 at Elsternwick Park, the Women’s Reserves and Seniors, on the back of an outstanding season, made club history by both recording premiership victories.
The Reserves started the day with a hard fought Grand Final victory that concluded with a nail biting finish. Reserves Coach Joe Remman reports on the match.
We went to VAFA headquarters to take on Richmond Central in our last contest of the season. We anticipated a very tight contest too as Richmond has become our biggest rival with games decided by close margins over the past 2 years. So pre game we focused on us and reminded the players of what they can do when up for a challenge.
First quarter, we won the first centre clearance and went forward and as it turned out it was going to be which defence would hold up the longest. It was very scrappy footy as both sides seemed to have trouble handling the ball cleanly and it seemed to take for ever before someone scored. At the end of the quarter we held the ascendancy by not allowing a goal and getting 1 ourselves. 6 points up at the break and asking the group for more.
Second quarter was Richmond’s best adding 2 goals to 1 though the footy seemed to live between both half back lines. This was a real contest with both sides giving everything which produced a very physical quarter. At half time we were 2 points down but the players were very upbeat and felt that that was Richmond’s best.
Third quarter was a real grind with both defences repelling attacks and the pressure went up. No goals were scored though Richmond added 3 behinds to 1 to take a 4 point advantage into the last quarter.
The thought was we have been finishing games off very well this season, particularly the last half of the season. This we did having 4 shots to 1 though inaccuracy may have kept them in it till the last 3 minutes. That’s when we broke there hearts by getting the goal that put us in front by 4 points. We fought so well till a very late scare as they won a free on the siren but was a bit far out and the pressure too great to register any score. Pandemonium on the bench as there was an explosion of emotion. We did it. Premiers 2022.
Score: Rich: 2.7- 19
SBMT: 3.5- 23
Best: Laura, Grace, Hedge, Ina, Jardi, Pebbles
Goals: Tamsin, Laura and Larissa 1 each.
There are so many people to thank from families who are there every weekend. Our volunteers to make sure we can play game day. The footy club for unwavering support. The sponsors who give us a footy club to play for. Sharan for being so organised and caring. Damo for your efforts and support of what we are doing. The coaches from both our sides, who work so well and are so supportive. Our leadership, Zoe, Rach and Liv proved to be the inspiration of our awesome season, I can’t thank you enough ❤️
Finally our players. What an amazing group of football players you’ve become. In a short space of time we became the team to beat and because of you no one could. You deserve this, congratulations.
We want to congratulate the senior team for their incredible season and for helping us to the double. Truly unbelievable 👏
