Women’s premiers crowned at Herne Hill Reserve

THOUSANDS of spectators flocked to Herne Hill Reserve to see AFL Barwon’s best female football talent on display Sunday, where all three senior women’s premierships were up for grabs.

In the headline act, Geelong Amateur proved too strong for St Mary’s in the Division One decider keeping the Saints goal-less through four quarters, 4.5.29 to 0.3.3.

Ammos coach Tom Cashin said he and the team were ecstatic post-game and a true testament to the efforts made by his side in 2022.

“There was a long line of planning to get to this stage, so we’re just so grateful that at the end of the day the reward came, because the hard work was there and it was there for a long time,” Cashin said.

“St Mary’s had a few different structures like running through the middle of the ground with numbers behind, so we needed to adjust to that and the wind conditions too.

“We needed to remain focused on what we were doing, that was the message on the day, not letting the moment get to us, and that’s what we did.”

In the game before, Torquay sought to cap off a Cinderella run to the flag after defeating Grovedale in the preliminary final but were halted by a St Joseph’s side playing on home soil.

Joeys forward Tamika Lewis carried her side on her back kicking a pair of critical goals and earning best-on-ground honours in the 5.3.33 to 3.2.20 win for the hosts.

Captain Tegan Curwood said when the team found out they were hosting Grand Final Day, it added an element of motivation to the squad.

“It’s extra special to win the premiership at home, there were so many people that put in so much hard work to make the day happen,” Curwood said. “It’s the first senior women’s flag we’ve won here at Joeys and there is so much more to come.”

Despite Torquay’s loss in Division 2, silverware still made its way to the Surf Coast as Anglesea kicked six goals against South Barwon to claim the Division 3 flag.

The Kangaroos kicked four goals to one after the quarter-time break to run away with a 27-point win over the Swans.

Iahnee Firth was relentless in front of goals for Anglesea, slotting three by herself.

Grand final captain for the Roos Madeleine Slingo said it was a long time coming for the team after seasons 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the pandemic.

“It’s a great feeling for myself and my teammates,” Slingo said.

“Last year we worked super, super hard and our season got cut short with the premiership in our sights, which was devastating.

“That’s what makes this year so special for us and it felt like we had the entire town of Anglesea behind us.”