Female footy flags up for grabs

FOOTBALL talent from across the region will converge on Lara Recreation Reserve today (Sunday, August 25) to decide who will be AFL Barwon’s Female Football 2024 premiers.

All three divisions will play throughout the day, with six different clubs featuring in the fixtures.

Battling it out for the second year in a row in the Division 1 decider is Geelong Amateur and Grovedale, with the former looking to cap off a historic three-peat.

Ammos co-captain Eliza Williamson said the group, relatively new compared to last year’s, was excited to take part in another Grand Final, with the club eager to add more silverware to the cabinet at Queens Park Reserve.

“We look different each year, but we just try to build on our gameplay and keep up with the best, which this year is Grovedale,” Williamson said.

“They’ve just been a massive challenge this year, and in terms of benchmarks – they are the benchmark. It’s been really humbling to see how much work they’ve put in this season so we’re looking forward to Sunday without a doubt.”

Grovedale player Emily Worpel missed out on last year’s decider but knows what kind of atmosphere to expect on the final day of the season.

“I’m not taking this weekend lightly considering I was on the sidelines during last year’s Grand Final, so I’m ready to go and the belief in the group has grown so much this year,” she said.

“We’ve certainly shown in 2024 we’ve played some skilful footy, which we now aim to do that again on Sunday.”

St Joseph’s and Anglesea will meet in the Division 2 matchup, with both clubs eager to taste premiership success again.

Both clubs claimed flags in separate divisions in 2022 – Joeys winning in Division 2 and Anglesea becoming premiers in Division 3.

Grand Final newcomers the Belmont Lions, who have taken 2024 by storm to claim the minor premiership and will meet reigning Division 3 premiers Modewarre.

Lions player Bri Apma Hayes said the season had been a whirlwind, considering her team was first conceived in a group messenger chat almost 12 months ago.

“I’m so proud of the team and very grateful to have been part of this experience.

“The club has really embraced us, and our coaching staff are amazing. I’m just bursting with pride seeing how far we’ve grown as a team. It’s been awesome.”

The Division 3 Grand Final will begin at 9.40am, followed by the Division 2 Grand Final at 12 noon and the Division 1 Grand Final at 2.20pm.