The Darebin Falcons are the inaugural champions in the Swisse VFL Women’s after claiming a gritty 12-point Grand Final victory over Melbourne Uni in an enthralling contest at Piranha Park.
Having won the last three VWFL Premier Division flags, the Falcons aimed to continue their run into the new competition. They led for all bar the first five minutes of the game, keeping the Mugars at arm’s length after producing a strong opening term. Match-defining performances from Falcon stars Karen Paxman, Elise O’Dea and Darcy Vescio - who claimed her second consecutive Grand Final Best on Ground Medal - helped seal a hard fought premiership, 9.9 (63) to Uni 8.3 (51). Callum O’Connor and Michael Thompson recap how the Falcons recorded a memorable unbeaten season.
Fans have become accustomed to the Falcons breaking opponents in swift, savage and stunning bursts of play but they had to grind it out every inch of the way in the 2016 Grand Final. But aside from a three-goal five-minute run in the opening quarter, Darebin were forced to start over from every play, often holding out Melbourne Uni rather than dictating the play themselves.
Finally, after an errant kick-in, Nicole Callinan was able to open the scoring for the Falcons by converting a set-shot. It was reward for the Falcons’ large dominance in possession early on.
Having earned a place in Melbourne Uni’s starting 22 across the second half of the season, Karly Tapner kick-started the day for the underdogs with her first goal.
Although the Mugars’ defence forced Darebin into kicking hurriedly and turning the ball over going forward, they undid their good work with poor disposal coming out of the backline. The Falcons were able to kick three quick goals to finish the term, and give themselves some breathing space. Firstly, Jessica Dal Pos kicked a goal from a free kick, before playing-coach Jane Lange intercepted another errant kick-in to extend the lead. When Katie Brennan kicked a great goal from 45 metres out, it meant the Falcons had a 23-point quarter time lead.
After leaving Darebin captain and VFL Women’s Best & Fairest Medallist Daisy Pearce unchecked in the first term, Melbourne Uni changed tactics and began to make up ground on the Falcons after quarter time. Full-forward Jess Anderson goaled immediately to start the second term and a blistering run out of defence from Emma Kearney saw Ellie Blackburn convert her side’s third. Melbourne Uni’s fearless attack on the ball was beginning to visibly shape the contest, with the Mugars getting on top in the clearances.
The Falcons’ unshakeable faith in their game plan and talent meant they were able to maintain their arm’s length lead. Darebin were still calling the shots thanks to the tireless efforts of Karen Paxman and Elise O’Dea, while winger Nat Exon’s game had gone to another level on the big stage.
Nonetheless, Melbourne Uni were showing no signs of being overwhelmed by their first Grand Final berth in eight years. Tapner’s second goal cut the half time margin to 13 points, as an excited murmur developed amongst the 5,000 plus crowd after Melbourne Uni had really taken it up to the invincible Falcons.
While Melbourne Uni was stunting Darebin’s forward movement with their pressure, they needed to keep the scoreboard ticking over to make their efforts count. The third quarter effectively decided the 2016 VFL Women’s Grand Final as the Mugars missed several key chances to bring themselves to within striking distance of the Falcons.
Within two minutes, a wayward kick-in opened the door for Exon to extend the margin to 20 points.
Melbourne Uni desperately needed a response. However, even though the Mugars pushed very hard to get back into the game, they were just unable to fashion a score, and that lack of scoring was further underlined by Darebin’s ability to turn the pressure right up, with Darcy Vescio bursting from a pack to extend the Falcons’ lead to 26 points.
The Mugars were able to respond quickly through Emma Kearney, who was one of the Mugars’ best throughout the afternoon, displaying her trademark dash to win a centre clearance, before Deanna Berry found Tapner, who converted her third goal from directly in front
In true Darebin fashion, however, the Falcons’ just found a way to respond. Katie Brennan took a mark inside 50 and converted after the siren to restore the 26-point buffer going into the final term.
Darebin slowed the tempo in the last and began to work their way through the Mugars’ defence. They soon extended their margin to a game high 31 points when Vescio took a strong contested mark and converted.
To the Mugars’ credit, they fought the game out right to the end, and put a lot of respectability back into the scoreboard. Kaitlyn Ashmore, one of their better players, converted after some good transitional play, and within a minute, Ellie Blackburn goalled to reduce the margin to 19 points. Jessica Anderson added another goal, but it was too little, too late, as the siren went whilst the ball sailed through to confirm a 12-point Darebin premiership victory. As has been the case all season, the discipline, skill and teamwork of the Falcons meant they were just too good when it mattered.
Vescio was awarded best-on-ground honours for her efforts up forward for the Falcons, but had plenty of support. Paxman, O’Dea and Lauren Arnell were also in the mix, while for the Mugars, Kaitlyn Ashmore’s fiery attack on the ball and efficient disposal made her among the best for the runners up, while Emma Kearney provided immense drive and finished with 37 disposals.
Having taken the coaching reins for the 2016 season, Jane Lange announced she was hanging up the boots post-match. She bows out from coaching with a perfect record intact.
“It’s sweeter that we really had to fight for it,” said Lange.
“We knew that was coming, it was what we expected, and to the girls’ credit they really stood up.”
Last Modified on 21/09/2016 15:34