Tara Murray
It was third time lucky for Greenvale as it finally claimed the Essendon District Football League women’s division 1 premiership.
After winning the minor premiership the past two years before falling short in the grand final, the Jets were hoping history wouldn’t repeat itself this year.
Like the last two years, the Jets were the first team through to the grand final and had a week off before the game.
Their opponent in the grand final this time round, was minor premiers Burnside Heights, which was also aiming for its first ever women’s premiership.
It was a high scoring women’s grand final with both teams having some really good patches of play in a tough contested game.
The Bears led by a goal at quarter time before the Jets kicked the first four goals of the second quarter.
A goal after the siren to the Bears made the margin 13 points at half time.
It was goal for goal in the third quarter.
Both teams missed shots early in the last quarter before the Bears kicked a goal after a 50 metre penalty nearly 11 minutes into the quarter to reduce the margin to a goal.
The Bears tried everything to get a goal to leave the scores, but with no success.
A point with a minute to go for the Jets was enough to seal an 8.4 (52)-7.3 (45) win and the premiership.
Jets coach Troy Newton said he couldn’t be prouder of the group.
“We had to work for it,” he said. “It was a tough game, a hard game and the players just never stopped.
“One of our mantras during the week was playing every contest and every second and that is what it took, couldn’t be prouder and happier for the players the way they played and they played out the full game.”
The game was set up in the second quarter when the Jets kicked four goals to one.
Newton said it was the type of football they want to be playing on a consistent basis.
“An awesome quarter and I think I said to the side that it’s probably the best quarter we’ve played all year,” he said.
“That’s the sort of brand of football that you know, we want to play and we know we can play at times.
“It’s very hard to play it against such a good side in Burnside but it was the difference and it was awesome to watch.”
Newton said there were a few nerves in the last quarter as the Bears came hard, but he had the confidence in his group to get it done.
“We trained a lot, we trained for this situation,” he said. “I had confidence we could do what we needed to.
“It probably got a bit close for my liking, but again the players are just so good and they deserve all the credit.”
Talia Motta and Alisa Magri kicked three goals each for the Jets. Magri took several big hits in the game, but continued to fight on until the end.
“Sometimes she just gets judged on goals, but she has a lot more than that for our side,” Newton said.
Kiara Delia had a strong game in the middle of the ground and set up a lot of the Jets forays forward and was one of the standouts on the ground.
Having been an emergency for North Melbourne’s Victorian Football League women’s premiership team, she’s had a big few weeks.
“She’s an awesome player,” Newton said. She’s had a bit of a tough season with North Melbourne.
“She comes back down to Greenvale when she needs to and she’s just awesome around the group and she puts in like that every game.
“You can never question her effort and desperation, she was inspirational.”
Teaghan Brand had a number of good marks late in the game, Sophie Pettman provided plenty of run forward, while Grace Matser had a good battle with Holly McGregor in the ruck.
Burnside Heights midfielder Krissy Trang was awarded the best on ground medal.
The win means the Jets will be promoted into premier division for next season.
Newton said they weren’t worried about that at the moment.
“I just want to celebrate it with the players because some of them have been through the heartbreaks with the losses and that’s why this one is so special.”
