South Morang got the fairytale ending it wanted in division 4 of the Victorian Women’s Football League on Sunday.
Last season’s easybeats are this season’s heroes after beating Brunswick Renegades 7.10 (52) – 1.1 (7) in the grand final at Coburg City Oval.
The Lions finished the regular season on top of the ladder but the fact that only percentage separated the top four highlighted how close the competition was.
After conceding the first goal on Sunday through a free kick, the Lions switched on and dominated the contest.
Coach Maurice Baldasso said he could not have asked for more from his girls all year.
“We smashed it,” he said after the game.
Baldasso entered the game full of confidence after winning straight through to the grand final two weeks ago.
“Everything I asked from them before the game they did,” he said. “Getting the hard balls, tackling and working hard was all there.”
Baldasso said conceding the first goal was a blessing, as it made the girls switch on.
“We had to get our game together and then we tore apart the rest of the quarter,” he said.
He said his focus at half-time was ensuring his team did not let Brunswick back into the game.
“The girls were very high and happy with their first half but I told them we had to disregard that and keep a level head,” he said.
“They just continued doing what they had in the first half … To their credit, Brunswick gave us a good fight.”
Best-on-ground Sharnni Di Mauro kicked two goals, while Rechelle McSwain was the focal point in the forward line with four goals.
“The whole 25 players really attacked the football and gave it their all,” Baldasso said.
“The forward line was unstoppable and they couldn’t match us in the middle or in defence.
“It was a good match for us all round.”
The premiership is something that was beyond the team’s wildest dreams at the start of the season, its second in the competition.
South Morang failed to win a game and struggled for numbers last season.
“It’s a fairytale and the girls are emotional and ecstatic,” Baldasso said. “They’re enjoying the moment and realising they have won a grand final. We would have been happy to win one or two games this season and improve on last year.
“I didn’t do anything . . . they took me along for the ride.”
