The College’s Senior Girls Football team tasted premiership glory and Herald Sun Shield success for the first time in the last week of Term 3, remaining unbeaten all season. The Goats had earned a spot in the Herald Sun Shield competition by winning the EISM premiership earlier in the term. The Goats dominated their semi final at RAMS Arena at Craigieburn on 19 September and then kept MacKillop College scoreless in the grand final later in the day to clinch the trophy.
The girls played their Shield semi final on a very sandy second oval and dominated against St Francix Xavier to earn the right to play in the grand final on RAMS Arena. The key messages were team, pressure and being selfless — and just trying your luck. The Goats kicked 5.5 in the first term and another 5.6 in the second to St Franc’s 0.2. It was as good as the girls had played, with a strong team focus. It was ferocious when St Franc’s had possession and like watching a world-class team when we had the ball — clean, slick and clinical.
The second half was all about getting ready for the next game, with onballers rested and others brought into the play to share the workload. The lowlight was key player Eb Smark copping a head-knock. At the final siren, the mighty Goats had cracked the ton, winning 14.17 (101) to 1.4 (10). Serena Gibbs and Bridget Deed booted three goals each. Other goalkickers were Lilly Kelly and Darcy Hamilton (two each), Sophia Zappia, Jess Dalgleish, Gabby Shandley and Matilda Kelly.
Preparation for the grand final began immediately, with hydration and nutrition the key, along with stretching and active recovery. They say that the grass is always greener on the other side, and it sure was on RAMS Arena. The girls made the most of the decent breeze, kicking 3.4 in the first quarter with a couple of goals to Deed and a single to Shandley courtesy of some strong work on ball by Gibbs, ‘Pottsy’, ‘Zapps’ and ‘diesel Clark’, who worked tirelessly across both games. It was a team effort, with the back six holding strong and not conceding a point for the game.
As the second stanza started, so did the hail, but ‘Steelo’ didn’t notice and handled the footy like it was a dry day. Maddy Stokes put in numerous efforts to win the footy. Against the wind, we took the score to 5.5 to their zip. The match continued to be all one-way traffic, with the bull Lilly Kelly sharing the love with her sister Matilda. Bri Kollosche just wanted the ball more than anyone else, and the back half were selfless as Jessie Williams and ‘Annie Hyphen’ dominated and continually sent the ball to the forwards.
The Goats scored 9.11 (65) while Mackillop College did not register a score in a dominant display. Deed finished with three goals, Lilly Kelly kicked two, while singles went to Em Franken, Talia Carusi, Gibbs and Shandley. It was an absolute treat to see Year 12s Ava ‘Macklemore’ Brown take the field with her ‘bobsy twin’ Em, and good mate Sid Arthur also got amongst the action, while crowd favourite Darcy Hamilton’s arm unfortunately came off second best in a clash. One of the hardest decisions was deciding the best on ground in the grand final, but Lilly Kelly took the honours.
Congratulations on being a part of history — the first MLMC team to ever take out the Herald Sun Shield. It has been a privilege working with you, and co-coach 'Dima' (Mr Johnny Dimitracopoulos) and I understand how fortunate we are to have been a part of your success.
