In the famous words of Anthony Hudson: "Who would've thought the sequel would be just as good as the original?"
Oak Park claimed back-to-back Airport Toyota Women’s Premier Division premierships winning a one-point thriller over Aberfeldie at Windy Hill.
It was a rematch of the 2023 grand final with Oak Park this time entering the match with winning form over Abers.
Conditions at a picturesque Windy Hill were perfect for footy and the stage was set for an evenly poised decider.
Play stayed between the arcs in the early stages with neither side able to find much space in a high-pressure contest.
It was Oak Park who drew first blood through repeat Emily Findlay efforts ending with a lovely left-foot snap six minutes into the contest.
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Taylor Moss would equalise after a free kick a few minutes later making it a goal for her in both grand finals against Oak Park.
Star forward Alex Quigley stamped her authority on the game with a strong mark inside 50 to give the Kangaroos a six-point lead at the first change
Tamsyn Kirk provided headaches for Aberfeldie, looming dangerously inside 50 for the Kangaroos.
Kirk kicked two goals in the term and created contests, while almost adding a third to her tally.
Stephanie Normington-Dickens was crafty to slot a third goal for Oak Park to make it three goals to one in the quarter.
Check out the full match centre here.
The Kangaroos took a three-goal lead into the main break leaving plenty of work for Abers to do.
Remarkably, the Kangaroos would not score for the rest of the game with Aberfeldie dominating the second half.
The two blues controlled the territory, were well set up defensively, and peppered the goal face.
With just a minute left in the third term, for all their dominance, they hadn’t affected the scoreboard in a major way with four behinds added.
Chloe Rafferty proved to be a difference maker in the game when thrust forward and after being awarded a free kick at the top of the goal square, she kicked a goal right before the three quarter time siren.
Eight points was the margin heading into the final quarter with the Kangaroos wanting to defend the crown, and Abers hoping to break through after consecutive grand final defeats.
Neither team was giving an inch to begin the term before Trilby Sheppard was caught holding the ball in front of goal, with Emily Heaney slotting it to bring the margin within a kick with less than 12 minutes to play.
The ball was camped inside Abers’ forward half but they couldn’t break through for a major, a behind to Lyra Veniegas with a minute and a half left the only score.
It was a tale of two halves as Oak Park hung on to go back to back, the first senior women’s side to win consecutive EDFL grand finals.
Aberfeldie’s Rafferty was awarded the best on ground medal with a strong second half helping turn the tide for her side after moving from defence to attack.
It was a strong team performance for Oak Park with skipper Maggie Styles named their best.
Mikayla Barnes, Shanel Camilleri, Kirk, Normington-Dickens, and Rhianna Nunn were also among the best with each Oak Park player winning key moments when they had to in order to earn another premiership medallion.
Veniegas was important for Aberfeldie on a wing, with Lily Bateman, Emily Smith, Danielle Angley, and Emma Tatti also named in their best.
Abers made some moves to get back into the game with Smith moving up to a wing and Erica Markesich around and behind the footy, but Oak Park were able to outlast their onslaught.
