World Footy News

The Victorian Women's Football League (VWFL) Premier Division is the top level of senior women’s football in Australia, and has been in existence since 1981. The Premier Division Grand Final was on August 27th, unfortunately clashing with the Men’s Division 1 Grand Final of the International Cup.

Whilst Ireland made history at the MCG, across town at Coburg City Oval, football history was also being made as VU St Albans Spurs broke the Darebin Falcons’ undefeated premierships record of 5 years to become the new WVFL champions, winning 16.6(102) to 3.5(23).

The day started with the Grand Final of the VWFL Premier Reserves Division between the reserves teams fielded by the same two clubs, Darebin and VU St Albans, but proved not to be prophetic with Darebin Falcons winning 6.12(48) to 3.4(22). After this spectacular curtain raiser, the main event, the VWFL Premiers Division Grand Final, was started by Western Bulldogs’ board member Sue Alberti, after whom the Premiership cup is named, who tossed the coin.

The massive crowd also included other AFL identities, including Cameron Schwab, David Nietz, Chris Connolly and Karen Hayes from Melbourne Football Club, AFL Club sponsor of the VWFL, and the game was also filmed by The Local Footy Show. There was also coverage of the game on Chanel 10 and ABC News.

The VU St Albans Spurs started the game strongly, with VWFL President and Spurs veteran Debbie Lee kicking the opening goal. However, the game soon geared up to be a befitting clash of the VWFL’s titans, but despite their chances, the Falcon’s were unable to convert them to goals, and a snap kick by Spurs’ Kyle Nicolaci just before the siren saw the Spurs go into the first quarter beak with an 11 point lead.

After the break it was all one way for the Spurs. The usual brilliance of the Darebin defence was simply unable to hold back the flying Spurs forward Amy Catterall from taking a number of contested marks, and the contenders added another four goals to the tally before half time. However, the game threatened to be turned upside down when injury prone Spurs spiritual leader Lee was carried from the field, but she managed to return to the field in the second half, her determination clearly carrying over to her team mates to secure the victory.

During the half time break, ex-AFL player, Hugh Delahunty, an Essendon life member who played 46 games for the Bombers, spoke to the Grand Final function and admitted he was astounded by the skills that were on display.

Darebin came out strongly in the second half, captain Daisy Pearce pushing the players hard and coach Anna McIlroy instructing her Falcons girls to make use of empty space on the large ground, one of their usual strong points despite the limited space on their home ground. But instead the Spurs slammed home 5 unanswered goals, bringing Catterall’s total to 5 and Nicolaci’s to 3. In addition, Spurs player Karen Paxman was awarded the Lisa Hardeman medal for best-on-ground after her dominant display on the ball.

In an interview after the game, Debbie Lee attributed the victory to the hard work of the players, who have put in 74 training sessions since November and really applied themselves and worked hard on the day. The Spurs haven’t won a grand final since 2004, and with 6 of those original players on the field on Saturday, Lee proudly said the years of hard had finally come to fruition. “It’s been a long time coming.”

VWFL Premier Division - Sue Alberti Cup

VU St Albans 16.6(102)
Darebin 3.5(23)

Goal Kickers:
VU St Albans- Catterall 5, Nicolaci 3, White, Paxman, Robinson, Hateley, Plumb, Lee, Harris, Walsh
Darebin- Smith, Wearne, Habib

Best Players:
VU St Albans- Paxman, White, Catterall, McFerran (C), Nicolaci, Bazely
Darebin- Pearce (C), Wood, O’Connor, Roe, Hammond, Chiera

Lisa Hardman medallist (best on ground): Karen Paxman (VU StAlbans)