Tara Murray
Mernda’s development in the Northern Football League women’s division 3 competition has continued with the side through to their first grand final.
Since forming a women’s team in 2018, the Demons have moved up the ladder each season, winning the minor premiership this year.
On Saturday, playing their first ever final, the Demons beat Hurstbridge, 3.6 (24)-1.5 (11) to earn a grand final spot and the week off.
Demons coach Chris Hoysted said the side had come a long way this season.
“They are pretty rapt and there’s plenty of smiles on their faces,” he said. “They’ve done the hard yards and they’re now getting the rewards.
“At the start of the year we had lost a few players from last season. Our under-16s fell over and we picked up three or four girls who came up and two under-16s from Craigieburn came across.
“We thought we can work with that this year, we’ll be alright.
“We had a practice match in Wangaratta and realised we would be more than just making up the numbers and since then we’ve kept progressing.”
The squad grew throughout the year with players coming back from injury and others deciding to give it one last crack.
On Saturday against Hurstbridge, the Demons kicked the only goal of the first half to lead by that margin at the main break.
Two goals to one in the third quarter extended that lead to 13 points at the last break. Neither team then scored in the final quarter.
Hoysted said he was pretty happy with how the girls played.
“They did a great job yesterday,” he said.
“We knew that Hurstbridge was going to come out hard. We were able to stick to the game plan and come out on top.
“It played out in favour, the way they attacked and stuck together with the game plan.”
Ameerah Gentle kicked two goals for the Demons, with Emily Bell and Awek Dut were named their best.
The Demons now have the week off before the grand final on August 21. It will mean the Demons play just two matches within a month.
Hoysted said they remained focused on the task at hand.
“It’s a catch 22,” he said. “It’s good for injuries, but with no game it’s not good for fitness.
“We’ll try and keep our fitness right up to mark and work pretty hard and stick to the same routine we had the last fortnight.”
The Demons will face Hurstbridge or West Preston-Lakeside 2 in the grand final.
The Roosters knocked Laurimar out on Sunday, 5.6 (36)-2.4 (16).
In division 2, Whittlesea’s season has come to an end after losing its semi final with Banyule.
The Bears were too strong winning, 7.8 (50)-3.5 (23).
The Bears will now face St Mary’s for a spot in the grand final, where Eltham awaits them.
In division 1, Diamond Creek Women’s 1 is the first team through to the grand final.
