VU ST ALBANS Spurs have won this year’s Victorian Women’s Fooball League Grand Final, defeating Darebin Falcons by 79 points on Saturday at Mantello Holden Oval.

 

The match was played in front of a capacity crowd, which included several high-profile names.

 

Melbourne, which is the major sponsor of the VWFL, was well represented by the likes of Cameron Schwab, David Neitz, Chris Connolly and Karen Hayes, plus other staff members, supporting VMFL great and colleague Debbie Lee.

 

Minister for sport Hugh Delahunty, (who tossed the coin), plus Western Bulldogs board member & VWFL partner Sue Alberti (after whom the premiership cup is named) were also in attendance.

 

Delahunty, an Essendon life member who played 46 games for the Bombers, spoke at half-time during the Grand Final function and said he was astounded by the skills on display.

 

The VU St Albans Spurs stopped the mighty Darebin Falcons from adding to their amazing record of five premierships in a row.

 

The Spurs started well with inspirational spiritual leader Lee kicking the first goal of the match.

The first quarter was tight with two goals separating the teams at the first break.

 

After quarter-time, it was all one way traffic as the Spurs slammed on 12 goals to one, running out emphatic winners.

 

Amy Catterall was unstoppable, taking a number of contested marks and kicking five goals. Karen Paxman was awarded the Lisa Hardeman Medal as best on the ground, after her dominant display on the ball.

 

Hardeman, the cousin of retired 1993 Essendon premiership player Ricky Olarenshaw, is a women’s football great. She has been a player, coach and administrator.

 

Daisy Pearce, the Darebin captain, led from the front all day, but it wasn’t enough as VU St Albans had an even contribution from their 22 players.

 

Check out the Local Footy Show on Channel 31/44 digital this Friday at 7pm to see highlights and stories from the big day.

 

Darebin            2.1 2.4 3.4 3.5 (23)

Goals
VU St Albans: Amy Catterall 5, Kylie Nicolaci 3, Bree White, Kaz Paxman, Dale Robinson, Belinda Hateley, Jen Plumb, Debbie Lee, Georgia Harris, Amanda Walsh

Darebin: Samantha Smith, Alana Wearne, Alisha Habib

Best
VU St Albans: Kaz Paxman, Bree White, Amy Catterall, Shannon McFerran, Kylie Nicolaci, Lauren Bazeley

Darebin: Daisy Pearce, Natalie Wood, Aasta O'Connor, Kathleen Roe, Sarah Hammond, Julia Chiera

Lisa Hardeman Medallist: Karen Paxman (VU St Albans)