Tara Murray
It was third time lucky for Caroline Springs in the Western Region Football League women’s competition.
Playing off in a third straight grand final, either side of COVID-19, the Lakers were hoping that it was finally their turn to hold the trophy aloft.
The day started with the club’s division 2 side finally short to Point Cook Centrals. The division 1 side had to wait until later in the day to get their shot against Spotswood.
In a rematch of the 2019, the last grand final before Saturday, the Lakers were able to turn the tables and come away with a 8.9 (57)-2.7 (19) win.
Lakers coach Dean Ellis was still in disbelief the following day about what they had achieved.
“It’s a bit surreal actually,” he said. “I still don’t think that it happened.
“It is awesome for the club and it’s such a good football club. The mission was achieved.
“This is more for the girls who have played in the losing two grand finals. It’s a nice reward for effort.”
The Lakers were the top team all season, before slipping up in the first week of the finals against the Wolves.
Now with another shot at the Wolves, it was a very different game.
The Wolves kicked the only two goals in the first quarter to lead by 10 points at quarter time.
From there it was all the Lakers.
They kicked two in the second quarter to reduce the margin to two points at half time.
After the break they kicked six second half goals to run away with the win.
“It was a tight first half.” Ellis said. “We changed a few things at half time and we were able to get the game on our terms.
“The third quarter was huge for us to get in front and from there we went.”
Ellis said they knew once they kicked the first couple of goals in the last quarter that the win would be theirs.
He said having gone through all the emotions the previous week as the division 2 side won through to the grand final, this week was something different.
“We were able to reflect and see what we had done,” he said. “There was pandemonium as the siren went with such a large crowd there.
“It’s still pretty surreal.
Nikki Perrett was awarded the best on ground medal for her performance, which included two goals.
Ellis said Perrett was touch and go whether she was going to play at all.
“She did her calf a few weeks ago,” he said.
“She played last week and was still sore, so we weren’t sure if she was going to play. She didn’t train.
“She wanted to play and pushed through the pain. She’s said she has six months to recover now.
Alex O’Shea, who wasn’t going to play this year, Stephanie Asciak and Hayley Herring were the other standouts.
Ellis said not one player dominated with everyone playing their role.
While it was premiership joy for the division 1 team, the Lakers division 2 team fell short against Point Cook Centrals.
The Sharks entered the grand final with just one loss for the year, in the final round of the season to the Lakers.
There would be no repeat this time round, with the Sharks winning, 9.8 (62)-4.1 (25).
Mary Seath kicked five goals for the Sharks while Mary Daw was awarded the best on ground medal.
Ellis said they were so proud of that group.
“Point Cook Centrals were the best side all year, losing just one game,” he said.
“Our girls are young and inexperienced. Point Cook flexed their muscles.
“While our girls tried they couldn’t get there.
“To get into the grand final after putting the side together a week before the season was an achievement in itself to get there.
Several of the Lakers stars were recognised by their peers being named in the team of the year for both divisions.
In division 1, the Lakers had the most players with six players selected in the team. Half of those in the forward line.
Ellis was named coach of the year in division 1.
In the women’s division 2 competition, the Lakers had four players named in the team.
In the division 2 men’s competition, seven players came from minor premiers Point Cook Centrals.
Centrals had a player on every line of the ground but one, while first year coach Dean Chambers was named coach of the year after an undefeated regular season.
There were five Parkside players named in the team, led by Shaun Campbell, who was named captain of the team of the year.
There were two players named from each of Wyndhamvale, Newport, North Footscray, Glen Orden and Albion.
