The two most dominant teams in Outer East women’s football booked their tickets to the big dance on Saturday with Mt Evelyn and Warburton-Wesburn now on the brink of glory.
Mt Evelyn has dominated the competition in a fashion rarely scene at senior level, scoring 1229 points and conceding just 58 points throughout the home-and-away season.
That dominance was once again on show on the weekend, overcoming second-placed Upwey-Tecoma by 58 points in the Division 1 second semi-final at Olinda.
The Tigers did well to restrict the Rovers in the first half, turning the game into arm-wrestle and trailing by just 12 points at the major interval.
But the undefeated Rovers flicked the switch in the second half, running out 9.10(64) to 1.0(6) winners after an unanswered seven-goal second half.
Mackenzie Adams and Kiara Simons kicked two each for the premiership favourites, while Caitlin Hoskin, Georgia Macpherson and Taylah Schmidtke were impressive four-quarter performers.
Madison Roach kicked the only goal for Upwey Tecoma, who will now take on Healesville in this week’s preliminary final at Yarra Junction.
Healesville had control of its elimination final against Olinda Ferny Creek from the outset, leading by 13 points at quarter time and extending to four goals at the half.
Hard-nut Dannielle Jones slammed home three goals for the Bloods, while Adelaide Caldicott, Milla Potter, Paula Pavic and Ishka-Belle Stock were instrumental in victory for last year’s runners up.
In Division 2, Warburton-Wesburn rubber-stamped its premiership favouritism; having 21 scoring shots to two in its 8.13(61) to 2.0(12) victory over Wandin in the one v two second semi.
League-leading goalkicker Scarlett Henderson kicked three for the winners, and Lilian Pagels and Scarlett Potter two, while Emerson Woods, Gabrielle Woods and Crystal Norris were crucial factors in a direct passage through to this year’s grand final.
Wandin now plays Emerald in the prelim after the Bombers proved far too strong for Yea in the elimination final.
Steph Thomas kicked three and Molly Webb two as the Bombers raced away with an 8.2(50) to 0.3(3) success.
Freya Taffe, Paige Nguyen and Amber Brierley were also superb for Emerald and will take terrific form into this week’s huge clash against the Bulldogs.
FINALS FIXTURE – WEEK 2
PRELIMINARY FINALS
Saturday 16 August, 2025
Venue: Yarra Junction
DIVISION 1
Upwey-Tecoma (2) v Healesville (3) 1pm
DIVISION 2
Wandin (2) v Emerald (3) 11.10am
