Olinda Ferny Creek Secures Victory in Outer East Women’s Division One Grand Final
Olinda Ferny Creek emerged triumphant in the Outer East Women’s Division One grand final, outplaying Pakenham to claim a well-deserved victory. The match took place at the Healesville Recreation Reserve on Sunday, where Olinda Ferny Creek showcased their exceptional skills and dominated the game.
The Lions struggled to contain Olinda’s key weapons in the forward line, with the dynamic duo of Grace Belloni and Olivia Edwards delivering outstanding performances. Both players garnered four goals each, contributing significantly to Olinda’s impressive final score of 9.6.60. Pakenham, on the other hand, managed a score of 2.5.17, unable to match the relentless assault from the Bloods.
This remarkable triumph from Olinda Ferny Creek came as no surprise, considering their remarkable form leading up to the grand final. Finishing fourth on the ladder, the Bloods defied the odds by causing an upset in the semi-finals against Healesville. Similarly, Pakenham, who finished third in the regular season, stunned everyone with an unexpected victory over Upwey-Tecoma.
Right from the beginning of the game, Belloni demonstrated her prowess by putting Olinda in front with an early goal. Pakenham’s skipper, Chloe Nagel, responded with a powerful mark and a precise kick early in the second quarter, briefly narrowing the margin. However, that marked the closest the Lions would come to challenging their opponents. Belloni and Edwards proved to be a constant source of trouble for the Lions’ defense throughout the match.
Beyond the brilliant performances of Belloni and Edwards, other Olinda players also showcased their talent and played key roles in the victory. Chelsea Wilson displayed her dominance in the ruck, engaging in a fierce battle with the undersized Lion, Sarah Ventura. Lucy Hilton, Claire Hyett, and Lily Carlin demonstrated their skill and were equally impressive for the Bloods. On the Lions’ side, Emily Devine, Bianca Moody, Amanda Hobba, Courtney Stephens, and Nagel stood out as some of their best players.
In Division Two, Belgrave claimed a comprehensive victory over Seville with a final score of 2.9.21 to 0.5.5. Narre Warren, meanwhile, secured the Veterans Men’s grand final by a mere two points, thanks to three late goals in the final quarter against Gembrook-Cockatoo.
Photographic contributions from Bethany Hutchison, capturing the celebration of Olinda Ferny Creek, and Euan Poulton from the Pakenham Football Club, who graciously shared his wonderful pictures throughout the season, are much appreciated.
This remarkable grand final win solidifies Olinda Ferny Creek’s position as one of the top teams in the Outer East Women’s Division One. Their dominant performance, along with the outstanding efforts of individual players, sets a new benchmark for the competition. Congratulations to Olinda Ferny Creek on their well-deserved victory and to all the teams that participated in the Outer East Women’s Division One grand final.
