by nfnl.org.au

SG PRINT & PAPER DIVISION 2 WOMEN’S

Eltham vs St Mary’s

Eltham

Ladder: 2nd (11-3; 461.94%)
Leading Goalkicker (post-grading): Jacki White (28 goals)
Most times in best (post-grading): Sarah Huntington (10), Alannah Murray (6), Jacki White (6)

St Mary’s

Ladder: 1st (11-3; 494.67%)
Leading goalkicker (post-grading): Sarah Johnston (44)
Most times in best (post-grading): Elyssa Rees (11), Jessica Hardy (11), Caitlin Kreuzberger (9)

These two sides will meet again for the second time in two weeks, this time with plenty more at stake.

Eltham prevailed by 25 points in their second semi-final win over the Burra recently with the bounce back from their Round 9 loss to St Mary’s complete, they’ll be confident they can reproduce that form to make it a first premiership at the club since 2002.

The Panthers’ Jacki White expressed how hard the entire side had worked to get to this moment, saying it would be a thoroughly deserved victory if they were to triumph.

“We’ve worked really hard all season so it’s nice (that it’s) finally paid off and hopefully we can bring it home Sunday,” she said.

White’s 28 goals this season has played a big role in Eltham’s many convincing wins this season with the impressive duo Alannah Murray and Sarah Huntington also exceptional in 2022.

St Mary’s responded well to their semi-final defeat with a hard-fought win over Banyule by two goals last Sunday.

The minor premiers will be relieved that their mid-season form has translated to a grand final appearance and a win over the Panthers will cap off a brilliant season.

Burra star Elyssa Rees described how much their preliminary final win over the Bears last week meant to the entire side.

“Sunday was an emotional day, this is two seasons build up (after) having no finals last year with COVID, so we’re really excited to be finally heading into the grand final,” she said.

Following her stellar 2021 season where she won the Division 2 Coaches MVP award, Rees has again put together another fine campaign to put herself in the running again. She’s combined well with Jessica Hardy throughout the ground while Sarah Johnston’s forward presence has been outstanding, kicking 44 majors.

This will be both side’s first meeting at Preston City Oval since the Division 3 preliminary final in 2018 where in a low scoring game, the Panthers held on to win by just two points and judging by their battles this season, it could be another game that goes down to the wire.

Sunday August 21 11,40am Preston City Oval