The Grand Final teams in the North West and South East Division will be decided this weekend.
NORTH WEST
After finishing the home and away season undefeated, the Melton Centrals are in danger of going out in straight sets to Shepparton FNC, in this week’s North West Victorian Women’s Football League Preliminary Final. James Szabo previews the match.
The side won 12 from 12 games this season, before suffering a one-point loss to Manor Lakes in last week’s Semi Final.
Melton’s Jaime Nankiville and Tara Crisp kicked two goals each, while Chelsea Forbes, Kate Saleta, Alicia Henderson, Tara Mckean, Alanna Porter and Claire Rollinson were all good performers in the shock defeat.
Those players will be looking to continue their good form against Shepparton this week, who are on a high after defeating Jacana by 71 points in last week’s Elimination Final.
Shepparton earned a place in the finals after finishing in third place and their key performers of Tamica Roy, Breanna Davison, Cara Briggs, Lynda Ashcroft and Sam Homewood made sure their dream of a 2016 Grand Final appearance would continue.
Kaylah Brown and Brittany Tancred were also impressive, slotting seven goals between them on the weekend.
Melton will go into this game as favorites after beating Shepparton in their previous two encounters by comfortable margins and finishing two places above them on the ladder.
The winner will face Manor Lakes in the Grand Final in two weeks’ time.
The Preliminary final starts from 12.00PM this Sunday, August 14 at Bill Lawry Oval.
SOUTH EAST
A spot in the Grand Final is up for grabs this Sunday when Beaconsfield and Rosebud face off in the Preliminary Final in the South East division of the Victorian Women’s Football League. Kate Withers previews the preliminary final showdown.
The winner will play Mornington in the Grand Final on August 20, after the minor premiers earned their place with an 11-point win over Beaconsfield in the Semi Final last week.
Beaconsfield was valiant in defeat against the Bulldogs, with forwards Madeleine Martin and Katie Angelis kicking two goals each and featuring on the best players list.
Talia Mabey, Amanda Torrington, Georgia Anderson and Sophie Dickson were also handy for the Eagles, and present as danger players for the Eagles heading into the Preliminary Final.
Rosebud comes into the Preliminary Final clash in scintillating form, after holding Seaford goalless to run out 43-point winners in Semi Final 1 last week.
Sarah Kelly-Goodrich shone for the Buds and notched three goals in their Semi Final win, while Erin Mackey, Isabella Walsh, Rebecca Waymouth and Adeva Kaman received best on ground plaudits.
Inaccuracy cost Rosebud the first time they met Beaconsfield in Round 5, falling to the Eagles by 23 points with just four goals from 14 scoring shots.
The Preliminary final is shaping up to be a hard-fought contest, after Rosebud evened the ledger with a win in Round 13, holding the Eagles to just two goals in the 21-point win.
The Preliminary Final kicks off at 12pm on Sunday, August 14 at Frankston Oval.
Photo: Arj Giese
Last Modified on 12/08/2016 00:35