World Footy News

Sunday the 25th August saw the perfect window of good weather for the WA Women’s Football League Grand finals to be held. For the first time a youth girls league moved into the season proper providing a complete pathway from Auskick, Youth Girl’s league, Reserves and Women’s League.

The WAFL has worked closely with the WAWFL to produce a vibrant league that has performed strongly at all representative levels. The WAWFL also has nine regions arranged aligned closely to those of the WAFL.

The day started with South Fremantle holding off a sustained challenge by Peel Thunderbirds to win by the narrowest of margins, one point , 3 - 7 to 3 – 6 in the Youth Girls league. In the first contest between Swan districts and perennial powerhouse the Coastal Titans, the Titans remained in touch until halfway through the last quarter when the relentless pressure from Swans burst through and the Swans ran out convincing winners 7 - 4 to 1 – 3.

In the league grand final it was a different story. The Titans moved the ball around as much as possible to retain possession. The first quarter was a close affair with the Titans leading 1 – 3 to the Swans 1 – 2 . With the use of a slight breeze the titans were able to advance their lead 4 -3 to 3 -3 at half time. The third quarter was a repeat of the first quarter, a tight affair with little advancement on the scoreboard.The Titans started the last quarter leading, with the scores 4 – 6 to 3 -4 and playing like they did in the second quarter - using the ball better than the Swans.

When they kicked a goal to extend their lead to 15 points it seemed the flag was theirs to lose. The Swans then kicked a rebound goal against the general play. The crowd became very vocal. Then another Swans foray resulting in a goal saw the crowd explode. The Titans seemed to be rattled that they couldn’t contain the onslaught and the Swans punched through another goal causing the whole ground to erupt.

Surely the Titans would roll over but there was still plenty of time on the clock. The Titans regrouped and methodically worked the ball down Lathlain Oval which is a typically large WAFL ground. Some strong marking and sheer determination saw the Swans rebound every attack to hold on to win 6 -4 to 5 – 7. This had everything you expect from a grand final and more. A great advertisement for women’s football.